People & Culture Internship- Summer 2026

People & Culture Internship 

Are you an undergraduate student who is passionate about a person-centered approach?  

 Are you an undergraduate student excited about applying for DEIB in an innovative workplace? 

  

ABOUT CJA  

The New York City Criminal Justice Agency (CJA) is a not-for-profit service and research organization that operates in partnership with the New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. CJA is the City’s main pretrial services agency, combining operations, pilot projects, and research under one roof. CJA utilizes procedural justice practices to provide pretrial services to over 100,000 arrested annually in New York City. Information collected about these arrestees and subsequent case processing is maintained in the agency’s internal and externally shared database systems, which are used to conduct descriptive and evaluation research on arrestee characteristics, case processing and court outcomes, and on issues and potential reforms to criminal justice policy in New York City. CJA’s programs operate in the criminal courts and detention facilities 24 hours a day seven days a week within the 5 boroughs of NYC, employing over 300 employees, citywide.  

 

PROGRAM SUMMARY 
The organization’s People & Culture team manages the Human Resource functions for the Agency’s 300 + staff members city-wide, including recruitment, on-boarding, orientation, employee relations, performance management, benefits and compensation, professional development, workplace health and safety and compliance. Approximately 25% of the organization’s workforce is unionized line staff providing 24-hour coverage for our operations. It is the Office of People & Culture’s mission to help employees understand their rights and obligations and to support staff, managers, and organizational leaders in navigating all the complexities of work life through the various phases of the employment cycle. In doing so, we seek to create a culture of inclusion and understanding with respect for diversity of culture, experiences, and ideas that support mission. We draw upon the individual and collective strengths and values of our talent to define and inform the need for comprehensive benefit plans, establish professional goals, and meet performance objectives for the organization. 

 

POSITION SUMMARY 
Under the direction of the Manager of Talent Acquisition and Engagement, the People & Culture Intern will gain exposure to a variety of People & Culture functions while supporting the team on key administrative and operational projects. 

The primary focus of this internship will be supporting a department-wide job description review and revision project. This includes gathering information from departments, reviewing and updating existing job descriptions for accuracy and consistency, and assisting with file management and organization of HR records and folders. 

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, organized, and able to manage multiple assignments while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Assist with the review, revision, formatting, and organization of job descriptions across departments.  

• Gather and organize information from hiring managers and department leaders to support job description updates.  

• Support file management initiatives, including archiving outdated job descriptions and organizing HR folders and records.  

• Use organizational tools and practices to appropriately protect and handle confidential or sensitive documents.  

• Respond to employee requests for HR information accurately and in a timely manner.  

• Ensure all employees and visitors interacting with the HR team have a welcoming and respectful experience rooted in strong customer service.  

• Draft and send organization-wide correspondence, announcements, and instructional materials as needed.  

• Assist with onboarding activities, including room setup and I-9 verification support.  

• Support documentation of workflows, standard operating procedures, and HR practices.  

• Assist with additional People & Culture projects related to HRIS, wellness initiatives, and other departmental needs as assigned.  

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the employee life cycle and People & Culture functions.  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Current student pursuing a degree in Human Resources Management, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or a related field.  

• Strong organizational, time management, and attention-to-detail skills.  

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a professional demeanor.  

• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks independently while meeting deadlines.  

• Commitment to learning and demonstrating principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).  

• Ability to use creativity and problem-solving skills to improve processes and efficiencies.  

• Curious and resourceful with the ability to conduct research and organize information effectively.  

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and familiarity with Excel and PowerPoint or similar applications.  

• Comfortable formatting documents and working within shared digital filing systems. 

LOCATION: Manhattan, New York  

HOURS: Tues- Thurs 10AM-3PM (in office) 

Mon: 10AM-3PM (remote)  

Please note that one Friday a month the P& C intern will need to come in from 9AM-3PM to help with onboarding new employees. 

You will be required to come into our downtown Manhattan office 3 times per week. Additionally, candidates must have a reliable and strong internet connection for their remote day. 

 Compensation: Our internship offers a stipend of $18 per hour

 Duration: This internship is expected to start June 18, 2026. Our internship is offered for a minimum of semester but can be extended for up to a year. 

CJA VALUES  

Each employee at CJA is guided by these values in our work: 

• Commitment: We are committed to being active partners in criminal justice reform through initiatives and creative problem-solving that evaluates different methods and strategies for alternatives to detention. 
• Fairness: We are guided by fairness and the presumption of innocence for those who are detained and work with integrity and without bias to protect the privacy and interest of court-involved people and their families. 
• Innovation: We value curiosity as a driving force to lead the way in pretrial services. We use innovative techniques in research, pilot programs, and engaging justice-involved communities to execute our mission of reducing unnecessary pretrial detention. 

BENEFITS: CJA offers a very generous benefit plan including health, dental and vision insurance, a comprehensive mental health, and wellness (EAP (Employee Assistance Program)) plan, four weeks’ vacation, paid holidays, and a retirement plan with employer matching contributions.  CJA is also strongly committed to professional learning and development for its staff members and offers staff varied opportunities for learning and development through partnerships and vendor services for web based, in-person professional development training, as well as in-house job training and development. 

Only those candidates being considered will be contacted. 

CJA is seeking applicants who pursue professional development pathways by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining professional networks, and engaging with professional associations

The New York City Criminal Justice Agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer 

CJA is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.