Interns

CJS Internships

CJS aims to introduce students to the exciting opportunities within Criminal Justice. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the different units within CJS, then click on the unit preference button to start the internship inquiry process.

Criminal Justice Services aims to introduce students to the exciting opportunities within Criminal Justice.  Interns will work alongside department personnel on a wide variety of assignments throughout the assigned Division.  Interns will be exposed to effective problem-solving and partnership-building skills as well as gain a better understanding of day-to-day operations of the Division. Interns will work firsthand with Department and Division staff to achieve the department’s mission of leading data-driven decision-making, effective programming, and interagency collaboration to reduce criminal justice involvement and strengthen the well-being of our community.

Application Procedure

Internship inquiry process includes the following:

  • Complete the Unit Preference Survey

  • Receive email from CJS Representative

  • Submit current resume and application

  • Cover letter that addresses the following items:

    • Why you’re a good fit as an intern with Criminal Justice Services

    • What you hope to gain from interning with Criminal Justice Services

If you have questions, please email [email protected]. In the email, please include the following subject: "[Last Name] Internship Inquiry."
 

Units with Internships

  • Forensic Evaluations Unit

    Unhappy Man Sitting On Couch Meeting With Male Counsellor In Office

    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.

  • Research and Planning

    Photo of a man using a web data dashboard

    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.
  • Re-Entry Services

    A young handsome man sitting alone by steps and contemplating life by the quiet sea, surrounded by raw concrete sea defence wall. Mental health and depression road to recovery.

    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.
  • Recovery Courts (S.T.E.P.)

    Happy African American senior at nursing home looking at camera.

    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.
  • Business Unit

    Person going over budget with calculator and receipts

    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.
  • Pretrial Services

    Counselling session, woman talking to counsellor in the studio

    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