Summer 2025 - Policy Intern, Redefining Public Safety

Who we are:

The Vera Institute of Justice is powered by hundreds of advocates, researchers, and policy experts working to transform the criminal legal and immigration systems until they’re fair for all. Founded in 1961 to advocate for alternatives to money bail in New York City, Vera is now a national organization that partners with impacted communities and government leaders for change. We develop just, antiracist solutions so that money doesn’t determine freedom; fewer people are in jails, prisons, and immigration detention; and everyone is treated with dignity. For more information, visit vera.org.

Vera has a staff of 224 people, is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York and has offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and New Orleans. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity in the workplace. We expect our staff to embody respect, independence, collaboration, commitment, anti-racism, and equity—both in our outward-facing work and the internal culture of our workplace. We value a range of experiences in people’s educational backgrounds and encourage people who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system to apply.

About the team:

Redefining Public Safety (RPS) Initiative aims to create a paradigm shift in how public safety is defined and achieved in the United States by helping build and sustain community-centered solutions and discontinuing harmful policies in our current enforcement-centered systems. Using empirical research, technical assistance, and policy expertise, the RPS team is working to achieve: 

• Building and institutionalizing public safety infrastructure outside the criminal legal system to coordinate community-centered public safety ecosystems;
• Expanding civilian crisis response programs to address the range of health and social needs that come to the attention of 911 call centers;
• Limiting traffic stops for minor violations that do not affect public safety. 

About the role:

The Policy Intern will assist the Redefining Public Safety (RPS) team with executing high-level strategies related to our policy and advocacy goals. With this dual focus, the Policy Intern will gain considerable knowledge in the emerging best practices related to public safety and will gain expertise by developing a range of comprehensive approaches and legislative solutions to safety. In particular, the Initiative Intern will contribute to final projects such as translating complex research and strategy materials into digestible formats (such as fact sheets and policy briefs), and conducting fact checks and media monitors. The Initiative Intern will provide drafting and other administrative capacities as well.  

What you'll do:

Gather background information on existing Redefining Public Safety Initiative’s legislative and project priorities. 

• Research RPS Civilian Crisis Response toolkits and state legislation, STOPS data research, gun violence prevention landscape analysis, and other foundational policy, political, and data analyses to provide informed perspectives on best practices for programmatic and system changes. 

Assist RPS’ Manager in developing products to advance RPS’ goals. This may include drafting fact sheets, presentations, talking points, written testimonies, research briefs, and other materials.  

• Assist in the development of fact testimony, op-eds, and messaging guidance for a wide variety of community and government partners.
• Assist in development of strategy proposals for state-wide advocacy to facilitate the elimination of non-public safety related traffic stops and civilian-led public safety ecosystem growth and sustainability.
• Attend meetings with stakeholders, coalitions, and government partners and produce meeting debriefs. 

Assist RPS’ Manager and Associate Director on producing or disseminating information, which may include contributing to public and partner-facing products or contributing to planning or analysis for community engaged research activities 

• Review RPS materials and synthesize information to be digestible for multiple audiences.
• Contribute to planning or analysis for community engaged research activities (e.g., community input sessions on to gun violence intervention and prevention). 

Collaborate with other RPS team members and colleagues at Vera in support of above activities. 

Other duties as assigned.

What qualifications are we looking for?

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science or related field or demonstrated commitment to and experience with strategy building for social, political, or policy change.
• Experience working in government, law office, think tanks, or related field. 

Preferred: 

• Holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science or related field.
• Lived experience in the criminal legal system.
• Experience tracking legislation and news. 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities you'll bring: 

• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to translate technical information into easily digestible summaries
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and inclusion 

Technical knowledge we need you to be prepared to use:

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Slack
• Asana 

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 25 hours per week during the summer. The dates will be between June 2nd and August 8th, 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 / Summer 2025: Policy Intern, Redefining Public Safety Initiative 
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.