Job Description

2026 REFORM SUMMER INTERN

JOB DESCRIPTION 

Job Title: Summer Intern

Team: Community Engagement

Location: New York City

Employment Type: Part-Time

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt 

Start Date: June 22, 2026

Hiring Manager: Managing Director, Community Engagement

 

Organization Overview
REFORM , founded in the wake of the #FreeMeek movement, is committed to transforming probation and parole throughout the United States by changing laws, systems, and culture. The organization is working to replace America’s criminal justice system with a restorative approach that is fair, accountable, and invested in rehabilitation. Our goal is for people to reenter society with dignity, create meaningful pathways to work, and equip them with the tools to succeed all while making families and communities safer and stronger. REFORM Alliance operates as both a 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organization, allowing us to drive meaningful criminal justice reform through a combination of charitable initiatives and advocacy efforts.

About the Internship

REFORM is seeking candidates for our 2026 summer internship program. The ideal candidate is passionate about criminal justice reform, a self-starter, and eager to learn in a team environment. People who have been directly impacted by or involved with the criminal justice system are encouraged to apply. The internship is a dynamic opportunity for interns to contribute meaningfully to our organizational objectives while gaining experience and mentorship in a collaborative and engaging environment.

This is an hourly position. Interns will be compensated at an hourly rate for up to 20 hours per week and will gain hands-on experience through project-based work designed to build knowledge, practical skills, and professional development. Interns will also have exposure to organizational leadership and key initiatives, with focused opportunities to deepen their experience in either policy, marketing & communications, or community engagement.

The internship will run from June 22 through August 14. Interns will work (in office) Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with a 30-minute lunch break (20 hours per week). Each intern will participate in weekly one-on-one meetings and have structured opportunities to engage with staff in a formal capacity.

The program will culminate in a capstone presentation on the final day, during which interns will present to staff and summarize their projects, key learnings, and accomplishments.

REFORM is seeking a total of six (6) interns: most likely three (3) in Policy, two (2) in Marketing & Communications, and one (1) in Community Engagement. Interns will be assigned to specific, project-based work within their respective focus areas.

Below are examples of the type of work that the interns may be engaged in:

A Policy Intern for REFORM Alliance, will have an opportunity to work on a variety of exciting projects that will help the intern develop strong policy skills, expose the intern to leaders in our field, and help further REFORM’s mission and organizational priorities.  

 

• Assess jurisdictions for alignment with the Work Matters policy framework – Building on the 50-state survey of occupational licensure systems, begin compiling a more holistic assessment of state alignment with the rest of the Work Matters policy framework.

 

• Deep dive into financial burdens for supervision – Research monetary penalties (fees, etc.) and develop potential alternatives.

 

• Research recent legislative supervision victories – Research and compile a database of significant legislative victories in the past 1-2 years to gain a greater understanding of the coalitions and institutional supports behind policy campaigns and the legislative process.

 

• Supporting our County Initiatives Program – Research possible counties that would be supportive of REFORM’s work and partnership. Additionally, provide support to policy implementation in current partner jurisdictions through research and memoranda. 

 

• Data Science/Analysis –   Write scripts to help automate updates for REFORM’s data dashboards, inclusive of our state work. Create a mapping of (and possibly scrapers for) state or county-level probation/parole reports. ( Note: Internship candidates interested in this bucket of work should explicitly note this in their application and be prepared to demonstrate their experience supporting this level of work. )

 

A Marketing & Communications Intern for REFORM Alliance, will have an opportunity to work on a variety of exciting projects that will help the intern develop strong marketing and communications skills, expose the intern to leaders in our field, and help further our mission and organizational priorities. Below are several project opportunities for interns who join the Marketing & Communications team for the summer:

• Supporting national marketing campaigns – Assist with planning and executing campaigns across social media, email, and web platforms. Contribute to campaign coordination and help bring ideas to life by supporting day-to-day marketing and communications activities.

 

• Content creation and storytelling – Develop content that tells compelling stories and connects with audiences across digital channels. Support the production of social media posts, graphics, emails, and other communications materials that translate complex policy issues into clear, engaging messages.

 

• Digital marketing and analytics – Learn how digital tools such as email platforms, websites, and analytics systems work together to support campaigns. Track performance metrics (likes, clicks, and opens) and help identify opportunities to improve content and audience engagement.
  
   
• Content production support (video & photo) – Assist with basic video production, editing, and photography for social and campaign content. Support behind-the-scenes content creation, help prep shoots, and learn how visual storytelling comes together from concept to final product.

 

• Cross-team collaboration and communications – Work closely with policy, creative, and leadership teams to support messaging and communications strategies. Gain exposure to how communications efforts align with legislative priorities and organizational goals.

 

 

 

A Community Engagement Intern for REFORM Alliance will have an opportunity to work across multiple projects that support our movement-building and grassroots engagement efforts. This role is ideal for someone interested in advocacy and community organizing and eager to learn how organizations build and sustain strong relationships with directly impacted individuals, advocates, and various stakeholders. Below are several project opportunities for interns who join the Community Engagement team for the summer:

 

• Correspondence – Support the correspondence program by helping respond to communications from incarcerated individuals and their families. Assist with organizing, tracking, and managing outreach to ensure timely and thoughtful engagement with people seeking information and support.

 

• Youth and campus engagement strategy – Develop and apply insights into how Gen Z engages with social impact issues to help build momentum on college campuses. Strengthen outreach strategies, identify opportunities for student engagement, and contribute ideas for campaigns, events, or partnerships that encourage young people to get involved in public safety efforts.

 

• Member engagement and movement-building strategy – Support efforts to strengthen engagement with current REFORMers while helping design pathways for new individuals to join and stay involved in the movement. This may include brainstorming engagement strategies, analyzing participation trends, and helping develop systems that build long-term relationships with advocates and supporters.

In addition to project work, interns will have the opportunity to participate in a prison visit and/or a visit to Washington, DC, designed to enhance their understanding of the organization’s work and impact.

WHO YOU ARE

Required Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in team settings
• Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Proficiency in standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Workspace)
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Commitment to the mission and values of the organization
• Must be 18 or older

Preferred Qualifications 

Policy Internship

• Demonstrated coursework in topics concerning or intersecting with criminal justice policy (e.g., Political Science, Public Policy, Law, or a related field)
• Experience working or volunteering with criminal justice advocacy organizations, reentry services for justice-impacted individuals, public policy, or government relations 
• Knowledge of federal and state legislative processes, and familiarity with statutory code language 
• Experience conducting research and analyzing data
• For Data Science internship, specifically:
  • Currently pursuing a degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Public Policy, Sociology, or a related field
  • Proficiency in R strongly preferred; Python, SQL, or other data tools also welcomed
  • Experience with data visualization libraries (e.g., ggplot2, Shiny, Matplotlib, Tableau, or similar)
  • Familiarity with statistical analysis and working with large or messy real-world datasets
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills — ability to translate data findings for non-technical audiences

Preferred Qualifications 

Marketing Communications Internship 

• Comfortable using Google Workspace (Docs, Slides, Sheets)
• Familiar with social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, etc.)
• Basic experience with Canva or similar design tools
• Interest in writing, storytelling, or content creation
• Strong communication skills (clear writing and speaking)
• Organized and able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
• Willingness to learn, take feedback, and try new things
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Curious about marketing, media, and how content connects with people
• Interest in video production, editing, or photography, and willingness to support content creation

Preferred Qualifications 

Community Engagement Internship 

• Experience with community organizing, advocacy, or campus engagement
• Experience working or volunteering with justice-impacted communities
• Highly organized with the ability to manage correspondence, track outreach, and maintain accurate records
• Creativity and curiosity in identifying new ways to engage young people, particularly college students and Gen Z audiences
• Ability to think strategically about outreach, participation, and relationship-building
• Courage and curiosity to try new things, embrace challenges, and grow through experiences that stretch beyond one’s comfort zone

Work Demands

• Physical requirements may be required to help move items up to 25 lbs.

Additional Requirements

• Authorized to work in the U.S. 
• REFORM does not offer employment visa sponsorship 
• Live within commuting distance of New York City (Midtown) and ability to work in-person four (4) days per week

Application & Interview Process
While the interview process may vary slightly, the general process will be:

• Phone Screen with the Director, People & Culture & Managing Director, Community Engagement
• Interview with Department-Specific People Manager & Managing Director, Community Engagement

 

COMPENSATION

The salary for this hourly internship will be $17.50 per hour with a maximum of 20 hours per week (Monday-Thursday). These roles are not eligible for REFORM’s benefits programs. 

At REFORM Alliance, we strive to move hearts and minds to create a more humane criminal justice system. This requires a company culture that values employee individuality and community development. We are committed to fostering an environment that is inclusive, empowering, and globally minded. 

Reform Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor. We encourage talented individuals of all backgrounds to apply

Job Tags

Hourly pay, Part time, Summer work, Internship, Summer internship, Work at office, Trial period, Monday to Thursday

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