CJS Internships

Opportunities for graduate and undergraduate interns who would like engage in the following non-clinical work:

• Assist staff with compiling and analyzing data related to ordered evaluations for both internal use and external publication
• Assist staff with the generation of manuscripts for both internal use and external publication
• Assist the Juvenile Court Liaison with recording and tracking of ordered forensic evaluations.

Internship candidates will need to have strong writing, research, and organizational skills. Candidates will need to have an understanding and appreciation for working with confidential information. The ideal candidate will have a background in psychology, criminal justice, social work, or mental health.

Visit the Forensic Evaluations page for information about our Pre-Doctoral Clinical Practicum.

Internships with the Research and Planning Unit will allow the intern to focus his or her time on real-world, practical, and needed contributions which will serve to reinforce the intern’s academic coursework. These tasks will evolve depending on the student’s knowledge and skillset; however, typical duties include but are not limited to:

• Assisting with tasks related to RPD’s Research and Evaluation Program and the implementation of the MacArthur Foundation's Safety and Justice Challenge
• Contributing to RPD’s performance monitoring efforts
• Coordinating with RPD to staff/support various councils, committees, and advisory groups
• Conducting research to identify industry and public-sector best practices
• Working on intradepartmental projects with other department Divisions, such as Re-Entry, Drug Treatment Court, etc.

Interns in the Re-Entry Services (RES) Unit assist with activities such as:

• Case File audits -reviewing client files and checking that all necessary forms are contained, completed and in order;
• Enter customer satisfaction surveys on the web-based platform;
• Matching attendance records with notes in database;
• Housing and employment project research; and
• Special projects that may arise

RES internships provide structured and supervised opportunities for practical experience in a criminal justice agency setting that complements students’ academic and professional goals. In this position, interns will:

• Gain work experience in a discipline of interest;
• Observe direct supervision of clients re-entering following incarceration;
• Integrate academic knowledge into practice in a professional setting; and
• Develop interpersonal skills related to the responsibilities of positions within the criminal justice system.

Interns in the S.T.E.P. Program (STEP) assist the Recovery Courts with special events such as Holiday Court, updating of handbooks and manuals, project coordination, and other special projects that may arise. STEP internships provide structured and supervised opportunities for practical experience in a criminal justice agency setting that complements students’ academic and professional goals. In this position, interns will:

• Gain work experience in a discipline of interest;
• Integrate academic knowledge into practice in a professional setting; and
• Develop interpersonal skills related to the responsibilities of positions within the criminal justice system.

Internships with the Business Management Unit will allow the intern to focus his or her time on real-world, practical, and needed contributions which will serve to reinforce the intern’s academic coursework. These tasks will evolve depending on the student’s knowledge and skillset; however, typical duties include but are not limited to:

• Assist staff preparing budget reports
• Assist staff in monitor budget expenses
• Participate and listening in budget meetings with Finance 
• Operate office equipment: fax machines, copiers, or phone systems and arrange for repairs when equipment malfunctions
• Set up and manage paper or electronic filing systems, recording information, updating paperwork, or maintaining documents, such as correspondence, or other material
• Compose, type, and distribute meeting notes, agendas, routine correspondence, or reports, such as presentations or expense, statistical, or monthly reports.
• Working on intradepartmental projects with other department Divisions, such as Research and Planning, Re-Entry, Drug Treatment Court, etc.

The Pretrial Internship Program provides students with the opportunity to learn how to apply the theories of case management through actual practice with the client under supervision of assigned Criminal Justice case managers. In addition to reinforcing the student’s academic concepts through practical work experience, this opportunity will provide students with the ability to enhance transferable skills needed for any professional work setting and to assist the student in making career choices.
 
Interns in the Pretrial Services Unit will assist with activities such as:
 

• Attend court proceedings and assist Criminal Justice Specialists, if necessary,
• Observe, learn and utilize different case management techniques
• Case file audits – reviewing client files and checking that all necessary forms are contained, completed and in order
• Proofread and edit documents
• Perform other duties as assigned