Program Intern

As a Program Intern at the Vera Institute of Justice, you'll engage in a variety of responsibilities that are crucial for supporting our Reshaping Prosecution Program. This includes conducting community and policy research, developing outreach strategies, managing advocacy efforts, and drafting written content for newsletters and reports. You'll also contribute to building our network of stakeholders advocating for racial equity reforms by assisting with programmatic and administrative support.

To excel as a Program Intern at Vera, candidates should possess a keen interest in the criminal legal system and a demonstrated ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including advocates, government officials, and people impacted by the justice system. While experience in public policy, social work, or related fields is preferred, we also welcome those with relevant lived experience. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Canva is important for this role.

The Program Intern at Vera Institute of Justice is expected to work up to 20 hours per week during the summer internship period, which spans from June 5th to August 11th. This role follows a flexible schedule, ensuring you can accommodate both personal and academic commitments while making a significant impact in our advocacy work.

The Vera Institute of Justice offers competitive compensation for the Program Intern position, ranging from $16.00 to $25.00 per hour based on experience and performance. Additionally, interns can opt to receive academic credit, and Vera will assist in facilitating arrangements with your educational institution to meet necessary requirements. This dual opportunity ensures you get practical experience while furthering your education.

As a Program Intern with the Vera Institute of Justice, you'll engage in various types of research, including community landscape analysis, policy reviews, and qualitative studies on prosecutor offices across the country. You'll also gather insights on advocacy-related materials by tracking trends and literature that influence criminal justice reform efforts, all of which are critical to elevating our initiatives.

When answering this question, highlight the complexities of the criminal justice system, emphasizing its impact on various communities and individuals. Discuss how systemic biases affect incarceration rates and share any personal insights or experiences that resonate with Vera's mission of achieving racial equity and justice.

Express your genuine passion for criminal justice reform and articulate why Vera’s mission resonates with you. Mention specific projects or initiatives that excite you, showing that you've done your research and understand the key issues at hand in the Reshaping Prosecution Program.

In your response, outline a systematic approach to conducting community research, involving identifying key stakeholders, gathering qualitative and quantitative data, and analyzing findings to inform advocacy strategies. Highlight any relevant experience that demonstrates your research skills and ability to engage with diverse communities.

Share your experiences related to collaboration with various stakeholders in previous roles, volunteer opportunities, or academic projects. Highlight how these interactions have shaped your understanding of the complexities in the criminal legal system and your commitment to fostering equity.

Describe a specific scenario where you successfully juggled multiple responsibilities, utilizing effective time management and organizational skills. Emphasize the strategies you implemented to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and ensure quality outcomes in high-pressure situations.

In your response, emphasize your proficiency in written communication and adaptability in tailoring content for various audiences. Provide examples of previous writing experiences, highlighting your ability to simplify complex topics, such as criminal justice issues, for broader understanding.

Articulate your perspective on a pressing issue within the criminal justice system, grounding your response in current events, research, or personal values. Connecting your answer to Vera’s objectives, such as promoting racial equity or reducing mass incarceration, will illustrate your alignment with the organization’s mission.

Discuss the unique skills and experiences you bring to the Program Intern role and how you intend to apply these to support Vera’s initiatives. Emphasize your enthusiasm to contribute to research, outreach, and advocacy efforts, and how you plan to learn and grow from the role.

When addressing this question, share a specific example of a challenge that arose during a group project or teamwork experience. Explain your role in finding a resolution, emphasizing collaborative problem-solving, open communication, and adaptability to navigate differing perspectives.

Reflect on your goals for the internship, such as gaining practical experience in criminal justice reform, learning from professionals in the field, and building a network of advocates. Articulate how these aspirations align with Vera's mission and how you plan to use this experience in your future career.