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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Justice Consultant Intern

💰 $20 - $35 an hour

ConsultingLegalPublic SectorNon-ProfitInternshipSocial ImpactCriminal JusticePolicy

🎯 Role Definition

The Justice Consultant Intern is a dynamic and integral member of our Public Sector and Social Impact practice. You will work alongside experienced consultants, researchers, and subject matter experts to support government agencies, non-profits, and community organizations in their efforts to create more equitable, effective, and efficient justice systems. This internship provides hands-on experience in all phases of the consulting lifecycle, from problem-framing and data collection to analysis and recommendation development, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to high-impact projects that address critical social issues.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Graduate Programs (MPP, MPA, JD, PhD)
  • Advanced Undergraduate Studies (Political Science, Sociology, Criminology)
  • Paralegal or Legal Assistant Roles

Advancement To:

  • Justice Consultant / Associate
  • Policy Analyst
  • Research Associate
  • Government Program Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Non-Profit Program Coordinator
  • Legislative Aide

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct comprehensive qualitative and quantitative research on emerging trends, best practices, and innovative models within criminal, civil, and juvenile justice systems.
  • Analyze complex datasets from justice agencies (e.g., courts, corrections, law enforcement) to identify patterns, disparities, and opportunities for systemic improvement.
  • Synthesize findings from literature reviews, policy analyses, and data exploration into clear, concise, and actionable memos, briefing documents, and reports for internal and client use.
  • Assist in the preparation and facilitation of client-facing workshops, stakeholder interviews, focus groups, and strategic planning sessions.
  • Draft sections of major project deliverables, including final reports, strategic plans, and policy recommendations intended for a diverse audience of practitioners and policymakers.
  • Develop compelling data visualizations, charts, and graphs to communicate complex analytical findings effectively in presentations and written materials.
  • Monitor and analyze state and federal legislation, court rulings, and policy changes relevant to ongoing projects and areas of client interest.
  • Support senior consultants in project management activities, including tracking project timelines, monitoring progress against deliverables, and maintaining project documentation.
  • Contribute to the development of logic models and performance measurement frameworks to help clients assess the impact and effectiveness of their programs and initiatives.
  • Provide research and writing support for business development efforts, including contributing to proposals, grant applications, and concept papers.
  • Engage in site visits to courts, correctional facilities, and community-based organizations to gather firsthand information and contextual understanding (as project needs and safety allow).
  • Assist in designing and implementing surveys and interview protocols for collecting primary data from system-involved individuals, community members, and justice professionals.
  • Perform rigorous reviews and coding of qualitative data derived from interviews, open-ended survey questions, and public commentary.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to answer emergent questions from project teams and clients.
  • Contribute to the organization's knowledge management by developing summaries of key research, case studies, and innovative justice system practices.
  • Collaborate with internal business units to translate client data needs into clear requirements for data engineering and analytics teams.
  • Participate actively in sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and other agile ceremonies within the project team structure.
  • Prepare and organize materials for internal team strategy sessions, brown-bag lunches, and knowledge-sharing events.
  • Assist in the creation of public-facing content, such as blog posts, fact sheets, and social media content, to disseminate project findings and promote thought leadership.
  • Perform landscape analyses of key stakeholders, political dynamics, and community assets within specific jurisdictions to inform project strategy.
  • Provide logistical and administrative support for project teams, including scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, and drafting meeting minutes.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Quantitative & Qualitative Research: Strong foundation in social science research methodologies, including survey design, interview techniques, and literature reviews.
  • Data Analysis: Proficiency in analyzing datasets using tools such as Microsoft Excel (PivotTables, advanced functions), SPSS, Stata, R, or Python (pandas).
  • Policy Analysis: Ability to read, interpret, and summarize complex legislation, regulations, and academic or government reports.
  • Advanced Writing & Synthesis: Demonstrated ability to synthesize large amounts of information into clear, concise, and persuasive written documents.
  • Presentation & Visualization: Skill in creating compelling presentations (PowerPoint, Google Slides) and data visualizations (Tableau, Power BI, or similar) to communicate findings.
  • Legal Research (Preferred): Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis is a significant plus.

Soft Skills

  • Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to break down complex problems and identify viable solutions.
  • Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication abilities, with the capacity to tailor messages to diverse audiences.
  • Collaboration & Teamwork: A proactive and collaborative mindset with a proven ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
  • Adaptability & Resilience: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven consulting environment and manage multiple competing priorities.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous and detail-oriented approach to all tasks, ensuring the accuracy and quality of all work products.
  • Commitment to Mission: A demonstrated passion for and commitment to advancing racial equity and social justice within the justice system.
  • Intellectual Curiosity: A strong desire to learn, ask thoughtful questions, and explore new concepts and challenges in the justice field.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Currently pursuing or recently completed a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university.

Preferred Education:

Currently pursuing or recently completed a Master's degree (e.g., MPP, MPA, MSW, MS in Criminology), Juris Doctor (JD), or PhD.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Public Policy
  • Criminology / Criminal Justice
  • Law
  • Sociology
  • Political Science
  • Economics
  • Public Administration
  • Social Work

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0-2 years of relevant experience, which can include prior internships, volunteer positions, academic research projects, or professional roles.

Preferred:

Demonstrated interest in and substantive knowledge of the U.S. justice system through relevant coursework, prior work experience, or dedicated volunteer activities. Experience working with or for government agencies or non-profit organizations is highly valued.

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