Job Description

INNOCENCE NETWORK SPECIAL PROJECTS INTERN 

FALL 2025-SPRING 2026

JOB SUMMARY: 

The Innocence Project is a not-for-profit organization that works to exonerate innocent people through post-conviction DNA testing and develop and implement policy changes to prevent wrongful convictions and otherwise reform the criminal justice system.

The Innocence Network is an affiliation of over 70 independent nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and public defender’s offices that is dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted people and reforming the criminal justice system to avoid future injustice. The Innocence Network member organizations vary in the size, budget, and number of cases they can investigate, and most primarily represent clients in the state in which they work.

The Innocence Network Support Unit is seeking an intern to support the operational activities of the Innocence Network. The Network Special Projects Intern will report to the Innocence Network Coordinator and will work with other members of the Network Support Unit. The intern can expect to gain direct exposure to various areas of non-profit management, event planning, and exposure to a national coalition of criminal legal reform organizations. The internship is based in the Innocence Project office in lower Manhattan and requires a minimum commitment of at least 16 hours a week beginning in September 2025; however, the time frame and schedule are flexible. 

The intern will also be required to attend and help staff the 2026 Innocence Network Conference in Chicago, IL, a gathering of innocence attorneys and staff members, freed and exonerated people and their family members, and many other members of the innocence movement. The intern will travel to Chicago on Tuesday, April 7th and return the following Sunday, April 12th. All expenses, including travel, hotel, and meals during the conference, will be paid by the Innocence Project.

Please note that this is not a legal internship and is better suited for individuals looking to pursue careers in the non-profit management sector.

INTERNSHIP DUTIES AND OUTCOMES:

• The Network Special Projects Intern will gain valuable event planning experience by assisting with the preparation and organization of documents and materials for the 2026 Innocence Network Conference, liaising with speakers, assisting with social media efforts and registration, and handling inquiries from attendees
• The Network Special Projects Intern will be responsible for helping to print, assemble, pack, and ship all relevant materials to the conference venue in Chicago
• The Network Special Projects Intern will be responsible for serving as front-line conference staff on the ground in Chicago, managing a variety of priorities and troubleshooting any issues as they arise
• The Network Special Projects Intern will learn the basics of various platforms, programs, and databases such as Google Groups listservs, Monday.com project management software, and MailChimp by assisting with the daily maintenance of those programs to facilitate resource sharing and communication among Network member organizations
• The Network Special Projects Intern will learn how membership coalitions operate and assist with the processing of the Network’s annual membership dues
• The Network Special Projects Intern will gain valuable analytic and research experience in a range of different areas through assistance with projects, such as tracking Network exonerations and completing the tabulation and analysis of the conference session evaluation surveys, as well as supporting the analysis of the Network’s annual report survey completed by Network Member Organizations and other Network surveys as needed
• The Network Special Projects Intern will assist with other special projects as needed and relevant, including updating the Network Support Unit’s resources

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE: 

• A passion for the Network’s work and an interest in organizational development and nonprofit management
• Strong organizational and writing skills and attention to detail

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint and Excel
• Experience in event management a plus but not required
• Database management skills a plus but not required
• Knowledge of MailChimp a plus but not required
• Ability to travel to Chicago, IL, on Tuesday, April 7th and return the following Sunday, April 12th for the Innocence Network Conference
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S
• Must provide proof of vaccination against COVID 19 prior to start date

KEY COMPETENCIES: 

• Ability to manage multiple projects, set priorities, and adhere to timelines with meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to handle a broad range of stakeholders with grace and diplomacy
• Keen eye for systems and operational management
• Strong sense of personal responsibility and accountability for delivering high-quality work

Benefits

WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

The Innocence Project considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization’s success in meeting its mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply. Individuals with personal connections to the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is our policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, unemployment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by law.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: 

To apply, please visit our career page . Upload a cover letter expressing your interest in the role and the organization’s work, and a resume titled with your name in this format (last name_first name_cover letter/resume). Only applications with cover letters will be considered complete applications. Information submitted through this secure site is kept confidential. Due to the large volume of applications, we are unable to give applicant updates by phone or direct email.

SALARY RANGE

$19.00 per hour for undergraduate students - $21.00 per hour for students in a post-graduate program

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