2026 REFORM SUMMER INTERN at REFORM Alliance in New York, NY

Summary: REFORM Alliance is committed to transforming probation and parole throughout the United States. They are seeking a Summer Intern to contribute meaningfully to their organizational objectives while gaining experience and mentorship in a collaborative environment, focusing on areas such as policy, marketing, and community engagement. Responsibilities: - 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.) - 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 - 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 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 - Authorized to work in the U.S - Live within commuting distance of New York City (Midtown) and ability to work in-person four (4) days per week Preferred Qualifications: - 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 - 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 - 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 Required Skills: Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Research, Data analysis, R programming, Python, SQL, Data visualization, Social media platforms, Canva, Video production, Photography, Community organizing, Advocacy, Time-management Internship Start Date: Start in 2026 Summer