Job Specification - Justice Planner Intern

🎯 Role Definition

A Justice Planner Intern is an emerging professional who supports the integration of equity, social justice, and community-led solutions into planning and policy-making processes. This role operates at the nexus of urban planning, criminal justice reform, and community development, focusing on addressing systemic inequities through research, analysis, and engagement. The intern assists senior planners and policy analysts in developing strategies that promote safer, healthier, and more equitable communities, particularly for marginalized and historically underserved populations. This position is fundamentally about applying planning principles to dismantle systemic barriers and build more just and resilient social and physical environments.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Undergraduate or Graduate Student (Urban Planning, Public Policy, Sociology, Law)
Community Organizer or Advocate
Research Assistant in a related academic field

Advancement To:

Justice Planner / Planner I
Policy Analyst
Community Development Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Research Associate
Grant Writer
Legislative Aide

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct in-depth qualitative and quantitative research on topics related to criminal justice reform, housing equity, and community-based safety initiatives to inform policy recommendations.
Analyze demographic, socioeconomic, and criminal justice data using spreadsheets and statistical software to identify trends, disparities, and the geographic concentration of inequity.
Assist in the development and facilitation of community engagement strategies, including preparing materials for public meetings, focus groups, and workshops to ensure diverse community voices are incorporated into planning processes.
Prepare clear and compelling written materials, such as policy memos, research briefs, case studies, and sections of comprehensive reports for both technical and public audiences.
Utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to create maps and spatial analyses that visualize data and illustrate the impacts of past and proposed policies on different communities.
Support the evaluation of existing programs and policies to assess their effectiveness and impact on social and racial equity outcomes.
Help develop logic models, performance metrics, and data collection tools for new justice-oriented projects and initiatives.
Review and synthesize academic literature, government reports, and best practices from other jurisdictions to support evidence-based planning and decision-making.
Participate in internal and external meetings with stakeholders, including community-based organizations, government agencies, and elected officials, and prepare meeting summaries and action items.
Assist in the design and creation of public-facing communication materials, including presentations, infographics, and website content, to make complex planning issues accessible to a broad audience.
Contribute to the drafting of strategic plans and policy frameworks that center community well-being and aim to reduce reliance on the justice system.
Support project management tasks by tracking timelines, deliverables, and communication with project partners.
Help organize and document stakeholder interviews and community conversations to gather qualitative data and personal narratives.
Perform literature reviews on topics such as restorative justice, procedural justice, and trauma-informed design to build a knowledge base for planning projects.
Aid in the analysis of municipal budgets and resource allocation to understand how funding patterns impact community safety and equity.
Provide logistical and administrative support for project-related events, public hearings, and task force meetings.
Monitor local, state, and federal legislative and policy developments relevant to social justice, public safety, and urban planning.
Assist in identifying and researching potential funding opportunities, including grants from foundations and government sources, to support justice-related initiatives.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams that may include architects, lawyers, social workers, and public health professionals on cross-cutting projects.
Help draft survey instruments and interview protocols for primary data collection efforts.
Contribute creative and critical thinking during brainstorming and strategy sessions aimed at developing innovative solutions to complex social problems.

Secondary Functions

Support senior planners in grant writing and proposal development by researching funding opportunities and drafting narrative sections.
Maintain and organize project databases, contact lists, and digital resource libraries to ensure information is accessible to the team.
Assist with the preparation of presentation slide decks and other visual aids for internal and external briefings.
Provide general administrative support to the planning and policy team as needed to ensure smooth project execution.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Qualitative & Quantitative Research: Ability to collect, analyze, and synthesize data from diverse sources, including interviews, surveys, and large datasets.
Policy Analysis: Skill in reviewing existing policies, identifying impacts, and understanding the legislative and regulatory landscape.
GIS Software: Foundational knowledge of mapping and spatial analysis using tools like ArcGIS or QGIS to visualize data and geographic trends.
Data Analysis Software: Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data manipulation and analysis; familiarity with statistical software (e.g., R, SPSS, Stata) is a strong asset.
Report Writing & Document Preparation: Excellent ability to write clearly and concisely for different audiences, from technical memos to community-facing summaries.
Graphic Communication: Competency in using tools like Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator) or Canva to create compelling infographics, reports, and presentations.

Soft Skills

Commitment to Social & Racial Equity: A deep and demonstrated understanding of systemic inequality and a passion for advancing justice.
Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: Ability to analyze complex social issues from multiple perspectives and contribute to innovative solutions.
Excellent Communication: Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to engage respectfully with diverse stakeholders.
Empathy & Cultural Competency: High emotional intelligence and the ability to work effectively and sensitively with people from different backgrounds and with lived experience in the justice system.
Collaborative Team Player: A proactive and flexible approach to working within a team, willing to contribute wherever needed.
Self-Direction & Initiative: Ability to manage time effectively, handle multiple tasks concurrently, and take ownership of assignments in a fast-paced environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Currently enrolled in or a recent graduate of an undergraduate degree program.

Preferred Education:

Currently enrolled in or a recent graduate of a Master's degree program.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Urban & Regional Planning
Public Policy or Public Administration
Sociology or Criminology
Geography
Political Science
Ethnic or Gender Studies
Law (J.D. program)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0-2 years of relevant experience, typically gained through academic coursework, volunteer activities, community organizing, or prior internships.

Preferred:

Demonstrated experience or coursework directly related to social justice, community engagement, criminal justice reform, or public policy analysis. Lived experience relevant to the systems and communities being impacted is highly valued. Familiarity with the functions of local or county government is a plus.