Internship Opportunities

The Community Relations Service (CRS), a component of the Department of Justice, works to resolve civil rights conflict arising out of race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or disability. CRS does so by engaging communities in difficult conversations through peaceful dialogue.

We are currently looking for students from diverse academic backgrounds and experience who are interested in working with CRS to support communities across the country.

Through our internship program, students gain first-hand experience working for a federal component with nationwide impact. As America’s Peacemaker, CRS provides facilitation, mediation, training and consultation services to communities in conflict — enhancing their ability to independently prevent and resolve future conflicts.

Internship Requirements

Qualification for All Interns

United States citizen.
18 years of age or older.
Currently enrolled as a student working toward a degree at an accredited institution of higher learning.
Excellent communication skills, professionalism and dependability.
Passion for CRS’s mission and work.

Additional Qualifications

Law students

Must be skilled in legal research and writing and proficient in using Westlaw and/or LexisNexis.

All interns

Must pass a security background check before final approval (security checks can take up to three months).
Nominal fee may be required for fingerprints.
Relocation, housing and transportation assistance not included; public transit subsidies may be available.

How to Apply

To apply, please send the following documents as ONE combined PDF attachment to CRSInternCoordinator@usdoj.gov. In the subject line of your email, please include your full name and the term for which you are applying.

Brief cover letter including 1) your interest in CRS, 2) dates of availability, 3) desired office location, and 4) where you learned about the CRS internship opportunity.
Resume.
Current official or unofficial academic transcript.
References page with two academic or professional references (name, title, organization and email contact).

Internship Deadlines

Applications should be submitted by the following deadlines:

A gray graphical box with white text that reads, Fall Internship - June 1

A gray graphical box with white text that reads, Spring Internship - October 1

A gray graphical box with white text that reads, Summer Internship - March 1

Intern at Our Headquarters Office, Washington, D.C.

Headquarters interns gain a unique and exciting view of CRS’s work and mission. Interns help senior leaders with research and writing, program evaluation, regional casework review, operations, and analyzing strategies for community conflict resolution.

Students in specialized programs such as finance and communications have opportunities related to their fields in the headquarters office. Law students work with the CRS general counsel on drafting legal memoranda, reviewing memoranda of understanding related to casework and Freedom of Information Act responses, and conducting legal research.

All interns will have the ability to attend events at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to expand their knowledge of the government and the field of conflict resolution. In the past, interns have had the opportunity to meet the Attorney General, tour other government facilities, and connect with leaders from across different DOJ components.

CRS headquarters interns leave their internship with a greater understanding of how CRS works within DOJ and how the agency provides its services to communities.

Intern at Our Regional and Field Offices

Boston
New York
Philadelphia
Atlanta
Chicago

Dallas
Kansas City
Denver
Los Angeles
Seattle

Miami
Houston
San Francisco

The 10 regional offices and three field offices across the country work with diverse communities to prevent and resolve conflicts. Regional teams’ work falls into four categories — facilitated dialogue, mediation, training and consultation — which help communities’ abilities to alleviate tensions, resolve disputes, and prevent future conflicts more effectively. Interns in regional and field offices work alongside regional staff to plan and deliver CRS services in local communities to help ease tension stemming from bias-based incidents or hate crimes.

Regional and field office interns leave their internship with a greater understanding of how CRS conciliation specialists and regional directors provide dispute resolution services and how CRS successfully prevents and responds to tension and conflicts relating to allegations of discrimination, bias incidents, or hate crimes in communities.

Internship Program Frequently Asked Questions

Do all interns have to undergo a public trust background investigation?

You must go through a background investigation to work at DOJ in any capacity. Until you receive favorable adjudication, you will not be able to begin your internship, and CRS will be unable to provide you with any assignments.

When will my background investigation be processed?

The timeframe to process background checks varies based on the individual, so CRS recommends applying for your internship as early as possible. If you are selected for a CRS internship, we request you submit your background investigation documents in a timely manner.

What is a typical day like interning at CRS?

Every day is different for interns. The CRS staff is dedicated to ensuring that interns enjoy their experience and work on substantive projects throughout their internship. Interns can expect to be assigned multiple projects on any given day that cover diverse subject areas, and interns are often asked to attend meetings and DOJ events with CRS staff.

What type of projects can I expect to work on as an intern at CRS?

Past interns have worked on a variety of projects, including helping to plan special events, conducting research during the development of cultural awareness trainings for law enforcement, supporting field casework, and assisting in the creation of the CRS website.

Will my internship consist mainly of administrative work?

No, CRS is committed to making sure interns leave their internships having worked on multiple substantive projects.

A CRS internship is not simply about filing papers or answering phones, but instead is a real chance to contribute to a federal agency dedicated to improving community relations in the United States. In this program, an intern will have the opportunity to witness the day-to-day operations of a federal agency and to see firsthand how CRS headquarters and regional offices serve the country. As with all staff, interns may be asked to perform occasional administrative tasks.

Do you offer remote internships?

Remote internships are available to students who do not live within commuting distance of a CRS office on a case-by-case basis. Remote internships must be completed within the U.S., and students must be physically located in the U.S. in order to begin the background investigation.

How many hours per week must a student commit to the internship?

CRS asks students to commit a minimum of 15 hours per week to the internship. In the past, CRS staff have found that this helps students to get the most out of the internship experience.

I would like to complete this internship for school credit. Can CRS work with me to help meet my school’s requirements?

Yes.

Additional Student Opportunities at the Department of Justice

Click here for additional opportunities for interns, recent graduates, and fellows at the Department of Justice.

Work at the Department of Justice

Click here to search for job opportunities at the Department of Justice or at any other federal government agency.

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