Spring 2023 Research & Policy Intern – CCE Internships+
This internship is offered through the CCE Internships+ Program, a CCE Internship Program. Interns participate in professional development programming alongside their internship. To learn more about the CCE Internships+ Program, please visit the relevant webpage. All students must be currently enrolled. Search for the label “CCE Internships+ ” under the “Labels” field in LionSHARE to view all program positions.
International students (F1) need to secure US employment authorization. When considering applying for a position, you should connect with your Academic Advisor and ISSO to determine the process. Pre-Completion OPT (Optional Practical Training – USCIS processing may take 3-5 months) or CPT (Curricular Practical Training – ISSO will process within 2-3 weeks). You must have either the OPT EAD approval, or the CPT approval to begin your internship on the agreed upon start date. Visit the Columbia International Students & Scholars Office employment section to learn more. Students should keep abreast of authorization processing times.
Position Summary
Fair and Just Prosecution (“FJP”), a project of the Tides Center, seeks a part-time Research and Policy Intern (“RPI”) with strong interest in the criminal legal system and passion for justice to support FJP’s policy, advocacy, and communications work. FJP has developed this internship opportunity to further interns’ learning and contribute to our mission of promoting a criminal legal system grounded in fairness, equity, compassion, and fiscal responsibility. Although this role is focused on research and policy, FJP’s internship program includes opportunities for interns interested in law, advocacy, and communications to speak with experienced professionals in their fields. It will also provide opportunities to gain robust hands-on experience with policy development, communications strategy, content development, and public relations as well as to develop knowledge of the inner workings of the criminal legal system and the critical role of elected prosecutors in it.
This position is a temporary, non-exempt position.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Working with the Chief of Staff, duties will include:
- Researching and compiling criminal justice-related content for outreach to the FJP network.
- Researching and assembling news-worthy items, including articles, posts, press releases and reports, related to innovative prosecution ideas and criminal justice reform and other related issues, to share with FJP stakeholders, leadership, and staff.
- Interfacing with other projects aiming to advance criminal legal system reforms.
- Helping develop and enhance FJP’s “library” of resource materials and identify other useful information and materials to share with elected officials and their staff; and
- Other tasks as assigned.
Education and Experience
- Enrollment in undergraduate or graduate degree program;
- Political science, criminal justice, public policy, and similar majors are preferred;
- Individuals with lived experience in the criminal legal system are encouraged to apply.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strong writing, research and oral communications skills, applicable to a variety of audiences.
- Ability to understand and help support a project focused on prosecution reforms.
- Ability to juggle multiple tasks and prioritize and help keep a large national project organized and on track.
- Ability to think and plan strategically.
- Strong attention to detail, writing, and proofreading skills.
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite, Google Workspace.
- Ability to organize, prioritize, and communicate effectively with others.
- Strong sense of professionalism and discretion.
- Strong interest in policy, equity, and reforming the criminal legal system.
Organizational Relationships
The RPI may interact closely with FJP leadership; elected prosecution leaders and their staff; academicians and national thought leaders working on criminal legal system reforms and criminal justice issues; and organizations aiming to advance new thinking among prosecutors and about criminal justice reform generally.
The RPI may also interact with the researchers, academicians, philanthropies, and organizations working on issues relating to criminal justice reforms.
Finally, the RPI will work closely with the project’s Chief of Staff, and other FJP senior staff and team members, grantees, and contractors.
Physical Demands
The project requires extensive home computer and telephone time and usage, research and writing. Light lifting up to 10 pounds may be needed.
Work Environment
The RPI will work remotely with regular phone check-ins. Interns must provide their own laptop/phone/etc.
The length and content of service may vary based on the needs, skills, and availability of the applicant.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Tides is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from women,
people of color, and bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical condition including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related conditions. We encourage and will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Applicants with Disabilities:
Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified applicants with a disability may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.