Spring 2020 Government Affairs Intern (Law/Graduate Student)
Who we are
The Vera Institute of Justice, founded in 1961, envisions a society that respects the dignity of every single person and safeguards justice for everyone. Our priorities are to secure equal justice, end mass incarceration, and strengthen families and communities around the country.
We do this by:
- Studying problems that impede human dignity and justice.
- Piloting solutions that are at once transformative and achievable.
- Engaging diverse communities in informed debate.
- Harnessing the power of evidence to drive effective policy and practice.
We work with others who share our vision to tackle the most pressing injustices of our day—from mass incarceration, racial disparities, and the loss of public trust in law enforcement, to the unmet needs of the vulnerable, the marginalized, and those harmed by crime and violence. Vera has a staff of over 250 people and offices in New York City, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, and New Orleans. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity in the workplace—specifically, we value a range of experiences in people’s educational backgrounds and encourage people who have been impacted by the criminal justice system to apply. We hire employees that reflect our values: respect, independence, collaboration, and commitment.
Responsibilities
The interns will work closely with the government affairs director and senior associate of the Vera Institute of Justice’s Washington, DC Office with the following duties and responsibilities:
- Provide assistance with research and data collection on various justice and safety policies, programs, and practices;
- Attend Capitol Hill hearings and briefings to analyze and report on the legislation and information presented;
- Prepare written memoranda;
- Assist in preparing presentations that will be made to senior policymakers;
- Track legislation; and
- Perform some administrative tasks.
There may also be opportunities to attend meetings and participate in strategy discussions.
Qualifications
Candidates should be law or graduate students who are creative thinkers and able to work independently. Effective interpersonal, organizational, and writing skills are essential. Assignments will generally not be traditional legal research and writing but rather policy and program analysis and development. Students should possess a strong interest in social justice, program design, and criminal justice policy.
Schedule
The interns should be available at least 10-15 hours per week in the Washington, DC area. The hours can be arranged around class schedules or other requirements of the student’s academic programs.
Academic Credit/Compensation
Applicants must either be eligible to receive academic credit from their institutions, or secure independent funding. Otherwise, limited opportunities for compensation may be available, however applicants are encouraged to seek independent funding either through an accredited institution, or through fellowship grants or internship programs, and Vera will gladly assist the student in working with the school or program to make arrangements and meet requirements.
How to apply
Candidates must be enrolled in a university law or graduate program to apply. Please submit cover letter, resume, writing sample, and dates of availability. PDF format preferred. No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. Online application is preferred:
However, if necessary, materials may be mailed or faxed to
ATTN: Human Resources / DC Spring 2020 Internship Recruitment
Vera Institute of Justice
34 35th Street, Suite 4-2A
Brooklyn, NY 10279
Fax: (212) 941-9407
Please use only one method (online, mail or fax) of submission.
No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.
Vera is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.
Vera works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.
For more information about Vera and its work in Washington, DC, please visit www.vera.org.