Unpaid Intern

About Internships at Springbrook:

Internships are unpaid opportunities for students from surrounding high schools or colleges to gain credit for the program that they are currently enrolled in. Springbrook is very flexible with the requirements for your particular program. We will make every effort to accommodate those requirements within the department of Springbrook that you have been selected for.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:

As a volunteer or intern with Springbrook you may be working in any one of our areas of service provision. It is important that you work closely with your assigned supervisor in each area and ask questions when you are in doubt. The following guidelines will help you have a positive experience with our agency:

• When you are scheduled to meet with someone or to do a job, be timely and ready to work when expected. If you cannot make it, it is important that you call your supervisor and let them know immediately - prior to the time you are scheduled to report. Your volunteer/intern experience with our agency will be terminated if you do not call or report to work when scheduled.
• Use of personal cell phones is strictly prohibited in any direct support environment (includes Day Habilitation, Education, Residential, Community Homes, or any other applicable department). Cell phones are to be turned off and locked in designated areas, or left in your vehicle. Cell phones may be used during approved breaks or lunches; or, during field trips or community activities, if authorized by a supervisor. Personal cell phones are prohibited at all other times and should never be used to record images of individuals we serve, period. If a job shadowing participant has a reason to expect communication from someone externally, they may provide the work locations contact information. Job shadowing participants are prohibited from communicating with families/guardians using their personal cell phones. Job shadowing participants must use company phones for communication with families/guardians.
• While at any program site you should lock your personal vehicle. Remember that alcohol, non-prescription drugs, firearms and other explosives are not allowed on agency property.
• Part of your volunteer/intern experience is to act in the capacity of a role model for the individuals you may be working with. Always be mindful that someone may be watching and listening to you and may pattern their behavior after yours.
• Volunteers and interns are expected to wear neat, clean comfortable clothing that is washable. Shorts are acceptable if they are of modest length and in keeping with the daily activities and season. Revealing clothing, or clothing with explicit messages or pictures should not be worn. Flip flops shoes would not be worn as they pose a safety hazard. Jewelry may also pose safety issues as rings with raised surfaces may cause scratches or other injuries. Earrings and necklaces that dangle can be caught or pulled and result in injury or damage. Springbrook will not reimburse the cost of any jewelry that might be damaged. Please refer to Springbrook's dress code for more details and guideline.
• While most of the people who receive services from Springbrook have a developmental disability, they have the same rights to confidentiality and participation in society as you and I. It is important for you to be familiar with these rights and treat each person as you would like to be treated. Springbrook tries to use "person first" language. We speak with a person who has a disability, not a disabled person.
• Any volunteer or intern who abuses a person either physically, verbally, psychologically or sexually will have their status terminated immediately and may be prosecuted under New York State law. Please make sure you understand what abuse is (part 624 guidelines) before you begin working with people who receive services from Springbrook.
• If you work in one of our residences, please be mindful of the fact that you are working in someone's home. Please treat all visitors to the home as you would expect someone in your own home to be treated.
• If someone asks you for information and you are unsure if they are entitled to that information, please refer the person to your supervisor.
• To make your volunteer/intern experience both pleasant and productive, make sure you keep in contact with the person assigned as your supervisor. Should you have problems with that supervisor, contact Springbrook's Human Resources Department and they will refer you to the appropriate person.
• For security purposes, all volunteers/interns are expected to sign in at designated area(s) when reporting to their respective work location. Signing in may involve the use of a badge and time clock system and/or a hard copy sign in form, found at the main office at the Main Campus School or the front desk at the Oneonta Community Campus.
• Volunteers/interns must successfully complete the required online training modules as assigned through Springbrook's Learning Management System, DayForce Learning

Springbrook is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of Springbrook to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin or citizenship, age, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity or expression, disability, military or veteran status, sexual or reproductive health decisions, traits historically associated with race and/or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

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