About the team:

Vera generates ideas to transform justice systems and takes them to national scale. In this multistage ideation and scaling process- which we call the Impact Pipeline, ideas are generated that have the potential for national impact (Stage 1), those ideas are then piloted (Stage 2), and then scaled more broadly to achieve national impact (Stage 3). The Innovation and Strategy team focuses on the identification of emerging trends and opportunities and support to teams as they develop and pilot their projects.

About the role:

The Summer Innovation and Strategy Intern provides capacity support to the Innovation and Strategy team. The IS team works across a variety of topics to learn how to use research, advocacy, technical assistance, and communications to transform our criminal justice system. This position will focus on generating insights that can inform potential new solutions to the field and supporting newer Vera projects with desk research.

The learning goals of this internship include fostering skills in project management, facilitation, strategic planning, identifying how to look at social problems, create approaches and find solutions, and developing an understanding of how research feeds into strategy building.

The Summer Innovation and Strategy Intern will work under the supervision of the Director of Innovation and Strategy and in close collaboration with the Innovation and Strategy Senior Associates.

What you’ll do:

Conduct community and legislative landscape research, and synthesize the outputs

• Support desk research needed to understand the landscape in specific areas of work or states to support the development of new and piloted projects
• Summarize and present findings to the team
• Support in the creation of memos to document learnings for internal and external audiences

Source and compile resources for innovation workshops and strategy sessions

• Work with the Innovation and Strategy team to collect materials, synthesize information, and prepare participants for workshops and strategy sessions
• Send material and internal communications outlining agendas, notes, and action items
• Summarize resources into easily accessible formats to be used in workshops by the Impact Pipeline team and Vera colleagues

Assist with ad hoc projects as they relate to innovation, design, and strategy 

• Support in the creation of memos to document learnings for internal and external audiences
• Support efforts to help teams learn across their different areas of work
• Other ad hoc duties as needed

What qualifications are we looking for?

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program OR demonstrated commitment to and experience with strategy building for social, political, or policy change

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities you’ll bring:

• A demonstrated commitment to addressing the impacts of the criminal legal and immigration systems by recognizing racial equity and social justice
• The ability to work both independently and with others efficiently and effectively; and
• Strong writing and communications skills;

Technical knowledge we need you to be prepared to use:

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or similar software, including PowerPoint

Location:

Please note this role will report to our Brooklyn, NY office. Vera interns and employees adhere to a hybrid schedule and are in-office on an alternating schedule. Full-time positions generally amount to 10 days per month. Part-time positions generally amount to 5 days per month.

Schedule:

The intern should be available to work up to 35 hours per week during the summer. The dates will be between June 5th and August 11th, with some flexibility to accommodate personal and academic schedules.

Compensation:

The compensation range for internships is $16.00 - $25.00 per hour. Actual compensation will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance. Applicants may choose to receive academic credit. For those who need to earn academic credit, Vera will gladly assist in working with the school or program to make arrangements and meet requirements.

How to apply:

Please submit cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please explain why you are passionate about criminal justice reform and what you hope to gain from this internship.

Applications may also be faxed to:

ATTN: People, Place, and Culture / Innovation and Strategy Intern
Vera Institute of Justice
34 35th St, Suite 4-2A, Brooklyn, NY 11232
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, please visit www.vera.org.