Fall 2026 - Policy Intern, Redefining Public Safety

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 alternative response programs to address the range of health and social needs that come to the attention of 911 call centers;
• Moving the needle on crime and public safety narrative through comprehensive metrics and educating the public and lawmakers on evidence-based solutions.

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 Policy 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 Policy Intern will provide drafting and other administrative capacities as well.

By the end of the internship, the intern will have:

• Produced policy, legislative, and field landscape analyses memoranda
• Conducted qualitative and quantitative research and synthesized findings
• Maintained wide knowledge of policy and implementation progress to debrief the team

1. Gather background informationon 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.
• Monitor news and updates in the field and relevant jurisdictions to keep the team up to date on status and progress of key political events, legislative actions, and other relevant stakeholders.

2. Assist RPS’ Policy 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.

3. Assist RPS’Policy Manager in 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).

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

What qualifications are we looking for?

Required:

• Currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration or related field, Juris Doctorate, 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:

• 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
• Strong understanding of political landscape and legislative affairs
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and inclusion

Location:

Please note this role will report to our Brooklyn, NY office. Vera employees adhere to a hybrid schedule and are in-office on an alternating schedule that generally amounts to 10 days per month for full-time positions.

Compensation and Benefits:

The compensation range for this position is $17.00 - $25.00. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance.

Applications may also be faxed to:

ATTN: People, Place, and Culture / [JOBTITLE]
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 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.