Summer 2026 Research Intern, Opening Doors

About the team:

Veras Opening Doors Initiative is a national initiative to expand access to housing for people with conviction histories. The initiative is pursuing state legislative campaigns for policy change pursuing federal policy changes providing technical assistance to housing finance agencies and developing and lifting up evidence to support these policy changes.

The Opening DoorsResearchIntern will provideresearchand administrative support on state-based portfolios and national work to advance housing access for people with conviction histories. The intern will collaborate with team members to support research needs technical assistance to State Housing Finance Agencies and other related activities. The ideal candidate isresourceful creative committed to race equity and inclusion and has interestand skillsin policy analysis and this role the Intern will develop professional development skills and begin to work more independently with support mentorship and supervision from more experienced team members.

The Opening Doors Intern will learn:

• HowVera works with external partners such as statehousing financeagencies toadvance Veras mission
• How to conduct researchin the non-profit sector
• How to translate research insights intoactionable insights for diverse audiences
• To build cross-team connections and strong professional network

About the role:

1. Support data collection and research activities

• Supportqualitative data collection activities such as interviews or survey data collection with housing providersstakeholdersor formerly incarcerated individuals
• Support management of administrative data
• Supportpreliminary data analysis and drafting findingsmemos to document learnings for internal and external audiences

2. Conduct desk research and synthesize the findings

• Support desk research needed to understand the landscape in specific states where we are working on
  projects
• Assistin the development of a repository of policies and programs that increase access to housing for people with conviction histories
• Support in the creation of memos to document learnings for internal and external audiences
• Support ongoing research activities byidentifyingpublic data sources and compiling and reviewing state-specific housing policiesand programs.

3. Support technical assistance to Housing Finance Agencies

• Meetwith community partners
• Conduct research into state and local housing programs supporting people w/ conviction histories
• Support implementation of state work plans

4. Administrative and other related tasks

• Administrative tasks such aswebinarlogisticsand correspondenceinternally and externally.
• Participate in other program activitiesand events during the summer.

What qualifications are we looking for

:

• Current undergraduate or graduate student or recent graduateswith a demonstrated interest in the criminal legal system;orequivalent experience
• Demonstrated ability to work with advocates government officials criminal legal system personnelpractitioners and people who are directlyimpactedby the criminal legal system.

Preferred:

• Education in public policy social work political science criminal justice or related field; or equivalent work experience.
• Educationand/or experiencein research methodologiesand data management
• Lived experience as a person directlyimpactedby the criminal legal system.
• Strong interest in racialjusticeadvocacy.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities youll bring:

• Strong organizational skills.

Technical knowledge helpful for this role:

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite particularly Word Excel and PowerPoint

Location:

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

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. The salary range listed is just one component of Vera Institutes total compensation package for employees. As an employer of choice in our field supporting Vera staff - both personally and professionally - is a priority. To do this we invest in the well-being of our staff through other rewards including merit pay generous paid time off a comprehensive health insurance plan student loan repayment benefits professional development training opportunities and up to $2000 annual for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work employer-funded retirement plan and flexible time.To learn more about Veras benefits offeringsclick here.

Applications may also be faxed to:

ATTN: People Place and Culture / Summer 2026 - Research Intern Opening Doors
Vera Institute of Justice
34 35th St Suite 4-2A Brooklyn NY 11232
Fax:
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 / affirmative action 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 includingwith regard toeducational background and justice system contact and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.

For more information about Vera please visit.