Master of Social Work Intern

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Boulder (CO); Hybrid; USD 26,000 - 32,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick leave

Job summary

The Division of Student Life at the University of Colorado Boulder seeks MSW Interns for field placements within SOAS and the Basic Needs Center. Interns gain hands-on experience supporting students facing academic, personal, financial, housing, and food insecurity while developing professional social work skills in a higher education environment.

CU Boulder is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applicants from all backgrounds.

Qualifications

• Enrollment in an accredited MSW program.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• An interest in higher education, case management, or basic needs work.
• Previous experience working with college students, young adults, or transitional-age populations.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management support and resource referrals.
• Meet with students and assist with action planning.
• Support students in emergency housing with weekly case management support, action planning and goal setting for stabilization and persistence efforts.
• Support SNAP enrollment and basic needs programs.
• Assist with Student Emergency Fund application review.
• Participate in Buff Pantry operations and emergency housing support.
• Assist students with academic support to navigate CU Boulder departments, policies, and procedures.
• Support front of office operations at BNC and SOAS by answering phones, replying to emails, and identifying appropriate resources and referrals.
• Document student interactions and participate in case consultations.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Active listening

Problem-solving

Education

MSW program enrollment

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Summary

The Division of Student Life at the University of ColoradoBoulder seeks Master of Social Work (MSW) Interns! The positions will complete field placement experiences within a dual-placement model between Student Outreach, Advocacy & Support (SOAS) and the Basic Needs Center (BNC). Interns gain hands‑on experience supporting students experiencing academic, personal, financial, housing, and food insecurity challenges while developing professional social work skills in a higher education environment.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The Division of Student Life consists of 36 departments that provide student support and services dedicated to helping students become successful, curious, competent individuals during their time at CUBoulder.

Student Outreach, Advocacy & Support:

Student Outreach, Advocacy, & Support (SOAS) works with students to reduce the adverse impact of challenging situations. Staff takes a comprehensive, non‑clinical case management approach to help students address their needs or personal life events that may affect their educational career. A case manager supports a student by facilitating connections and navigating resources and services, whether on campus or in the community. We assist students’ mental health, emotional well‑being and safety by providing outreach, resources and referrals.

SOAS supports students facing personal, academic, mental health, physical health, financial, and family‑related challenges. The Basic Needs Center supports students experiencing food, housing, and financial insecurity through programs such as the Buff Pantry, Mobile Pantry, SNAP enrollment support, Swipe It Forward, Emergency Housing, and the Student Emergency Fund.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Provide case management support and resource referrals.
• Meet with students and assist with action planning.
• Support students in emergency housing with weekly case management support, action planning and goal setting for stabilization and persistence efforts.
• Support SNAP enrollment and basic needs programs.
• Assist with Student Emergency Fund application review.
• Participate in Buff Pantry operations and emergency housing support.
• Assist students with academic support where appropriate to navigate CU Boulder departments, policies, and procedures.
• Support front of office operations at BNC and SOAS by answering phones, replying to emails, and identifying appropriate resources and referrals.
• Document student interactions and participate in case consultations.

What You Should Know

This is a part‑time, temporary position. This role will primarily be based onsite but have the option to work remote where there are not in office requirements.

What We Can Offer

The hourly rate for this temporary, part‑time position is $19.28.

Benefits

Temporary positions at the University of Colorado are not benefits‑eligible, however, all positions are eligible for paid sick leave.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be inspired. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Enrollment in an accredited MSW program.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• An interest in higher education, case management, or basic need's work.

What You Will Need

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of social work values, ethics, and professional standards.
• Knowledge of case management principles, helping skills, and intervention strategies.
• Understanding of student development theory and the challenges faced by college students.
• Understanding of social determinants of health and factors contributing to basic need's insecurity.
• Knowledge of community resources, public assistance programs, and referral processes.

Skills:

• Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Active listening, motivational interviewing, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to assess student needs and identify appropriate resources and interventions.
• Strong organizational, time‑management, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams.

Abilities:

• Ability to establish trust and rapport with students experiencing challenging circumstances.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently while seeking supervision and consultation when appropriate.
• Ability to navigate complex systems and assist students in accessing resources.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, faculty, staff, and community partners.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and respond appropriately in crisis or high‑stress situations.
• Ability to demonstrate cultural humility and work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds and experiences.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Previous experience working with college students, young adults, or transitional‑age populations.
• Experience providing case management, resource navigation, advocacy, or direct student/client support.
• Knowledge of issues related to food insecurity, housing instability, financial hardship, mental health, and student well‑being.
• Experience working with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.
• Familiarity with public benefits programs, such as SNAP, or community resource systems.
• Experience conducting outreach, presentations, workshops, or educational programming.
• Organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to student success, access, and comprehensive support services.
• Experience using electronic record‑keeping systems and maintaining accurate documentation.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A current resume.
2. Optional : A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by August 7th, 2026 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age‑identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: [e-mail]