INTERNSHIPS

Internships provide hands-on experience, development of both hard and soft skills, and professional networking. Volunteering fosters a sense of community and social responsibility, allowing individuals to give back and make a positive impact.

 
 

  • Performs diverse, advanced, and confidential administrative support functions including composing, signing, and releasing routine but somewhat complex correspondence. Usually relieves management of administrative details; gathers compiles, and reports information relevant to/for the department; may manage a number of different and often conflicting objectives, projects, or activities.goes here

    RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS

    • Performs diverse, advanced and confidential administrative support functions including composing, signing and releasing routine but somewhat complex correspondence

    • Usually relieves management of administrative details; gathers, compiles and reports information relevant to/for department; may manage a number of different and often conflicting objectives, projects or activities at one time

    • Communicates with executives, board, staff and interns to gather or convey relevant information

    • May be involved in high-level client contact and exposure to sensitive information, and must use considerable tact, diplomacy and judgment

    • Managing executives’ calendars

    • Coordinate executives’ travel plans

    QUALIFICATIONS

    • Advanced administrative and analytical skills

    • Thorough knowledge of a variety of software programs

    • Proven experience (3-5 years) as an executive assistant or similar role

    • Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point), Adobe Acrobat

    • Outstanding organizational and time management skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail

  • WITNESS is seeking an intern to create an app that works to grow our program The MAP, a first-of-its-kind online directory of formerly incarcerated-led services and businesses. Out of necessity, many formerly incarcerated people turn to self-employment to sustain themselves. To uplift these organizations, we're working to build public recognition and change the narrative around formerly incarcerated people from criminals waiting to commit their next crime to hardworking entrepreneurs.

    RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS

    • Develop an application to go with The MAP project.

    QUALIFICATIONS

    • Undergraduate (junior or senior) or graduate student

    • Flexible and self-motivated

    • Detail-oriented, with the ability to prioritize under deadlines

    • Understanding of or prior work/volunteer experience in non-profit organizations is preferred

  • WITNESS is working on a series of curricula that offer a radical reimagining of how we address various harms. Power is currently in the hands of people who appear to be openly hostile to the most marginalized in society (Black people, Native people, the poor, LGBTQ+, immigrant communities, and more). These curricula are designed with an awareness of the horrors of the prison system - and the action that awareness demands. The Curriculum Developer will help create the syllabus and lesson plans for these courses as well as curate supplemental materials.

    RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS

    • Assist in designing a syllabus for a class on mass incarceration

    • Find and schedule speakers on each class topic 

    • Find outside resources (readings, films, podcasts, etc.) to accompany each week

    • Manage instructional materials 

    • Prepare weekly lesson plans

    QUALIFICATIONS

    • Excellent organizational skills

    • Excellent writing and communication skills

    • Experience in curriculum creation  

    • Education or related major recommended

  • We are looking for several individuals to network with and mobilize both the formerly incarcerated community and the public to develop programs and events. Additionally, we’re looking for individuals who are dedicated to their work and to creating an inclusive environment that drives positive impact to join our team.

    RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS

    • Work with the Executive Director to identify and meet with members of the formerly incarcerated community 

    • Work with the ED to identify and meet with community leader, community boards in order to make them aware of WITNESS events

    • Create a platform to form alliances that help with advocacy

    • Expand formerly incarcerated business base

    • Assist with fundraising and facilitate voter registration drive

    QUALIFICATIONS

    • Prior organizing experience

    • Prior experience preferred

    • Must live in NYC

    • Proficient in Microsoft Office and other digital tools

    • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

  • We are seeking a skilled and passionate Computer Gamer to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of gaming culture, experience in playing a variety of video games across multiple genres and platforms, and the ability to critically analyze and articulate gaming experiences. This role involves a mix of competitive gaming, game testing, content creation, and community engagement, depending on the specific needs of our project.

    We are looking for computer interns with skills in Unity/2D games. Knowledge of C# is also helpful!

    RESPONSIBILITIES & QUALIFICATIONS

    • Play a wide range of video games with a focus on specific genres or titles as required by the project.

    • Participate in competitive gaming events, tournaments, and online matches.

    • Provide detailed feedback on game mechanics, user interface, graphics, and overall gameplay to support game development and improvement.

    • Create engaging content, including live streams, gameplay videos, and written game reviews or guides.

    • Engage with the gaming community through social media, forums, and other platforms to gather feedback and promote our gaming projects or events.

    • Test new games, features, and updates for bugs, glitches, and user experience issues.

    • Stay up-to-date with gaming trends, new game releases, and updates to existing games.

    • Collaborate with team members, including developers, marketers, and other gamers, to achieve project goals.

    REQUIREMENTS

    • Proven experience as a computer gamer, with a portfolio of games played, competitive achievements, or content created.

    • Skills in Unity/2D games. Knowledge of C# is also helpful!

    • Strong understanding of gaming culture and trends.

    • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

    • Ability to work well in a team and adapt to changing project requirements.

    • Familiarity with gaming equipment and software, including PCs, consoles, streaming platforms, and video editing tools.

    • Creative and analytical thinking skills.

    • High school diploma or equivalent; further education or a degree in game design, communications, or a related field is a plus.

    NICE TO HAVE

    • A dynamic and creative work environment with a team of passionate gamers.

    • Opportunities to participate in gaming events and tournaments.

    • Access to the latest gaming technology and software.

    • A platform to grow your gaming career and network within the gaming community.

  • Through the building of economic mobility and stability for formerly incarcerated people, our project provides outreach, awareness, and visibility to the most marginalized and vulnerable populations in our nation. Systematically oppressed and denied opportunities for independence and generational wealth, formerly incarcerated people struggle to break free of the justice system often with little success. Witness initiative The MAP Project embraces cultural inclusivity and the advancement of FIP-led services and businesses through promotion, advocacy, and storytelling.

    RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS

    • Working with WITNESS staff to find formerly incarcerated (FIP)-led services and businesses all over the country. We have a special focus on FIP Indigenous business owners

    • Researching potential services and businesses through google, newspaper articles and websites

    • Adding at least 24 listings each week

    • Coordinate executives’ travel plans

    QUALIFICATIONS

    • Dedicated to a detail-oriented project

    • May be involved in high-level client contact and exposure to sensitive information, and must use considerable tact, diplomacy and judgment

    • Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat

    • Outstanding organizational and time management skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail

  • WITNESS is seeking a filmmaking intern to assist in working on our Digital Library to make short films and videos about incarcerated people, formerly incarcerated people, and mass incarceration. Our Digital Library has interviews of life before, during, and after incarceration for formerly incarcerated individuals, and we are looking for a talented individual to comb through complex narratives to find and capture engaging, impactful moments/stories in the short films and features they produce. We pride ourselves in our interviews and on pursuing these unique, compelling stories for a wide audience. 

    RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS

    • Listen to our library interviews and develop storylines for short films

    • Produce short-form video features

    • Oversee pre and post-production

    • Accurately represent and tell the stories of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, and help to change the narrative surrounding them through shepherding ideas from initial concept through creative development and production.

    • Provide thoughtful ideas or insights on how to better bring these idea to life

    • Clear communication and collaboration skills

    QUALIFICATIONS

    • Experience in telling and producing compelling stories through film

    • Some prior experience in filmmaking or editing is a must

    • Experience in/willingness to learn about researching and developing concepts for potential series, including storytelling and collaborations

    • Ability to bring complex narratives to life simply and beautifully

    • Ability to juggle multiple projects in a fast-paced but supportive environment, prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail

  • The Indigenous Relations Team will work closely with the Director of Indigenous Relations and the Executive Director to identify formerly incarcerated Indigenous business leaders. Interns will work with WITNESS staff to find formerly incarcerated (FIP)Indigenous-led services and businesses all over the country. This includes researching potential services and businesses through google, newspaper articles and websites and adding at least 24 listings each week. Interns will work to find nonprofit organizations led by or serving formerly incarcerated Indigenous people.

    RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS

    • Performs diverse, advanced and confidential administrative support functions including composing, signing and releasing routine but somewhat complex correspondence

    • Usually relieves management of administrative details; gathers, compiles and reports information relevant to/for department; may manage a number of different and often conflicting objectives, projects or activities at one time

    • Communicates with executives, board, staff and interns to gather or convey relevant information

    • May be involved in high-level client contact and exposure to sensitive information, and must use considerable tact, diplomacy and judgment

    • Managing executives’ calendars

    • Coordinate executives’ travel plans

    QUALIFICATIONS

    • Advanced administrative and analytical skills

    • Thorough knowledge of a variety of software programs

    • Proven experience (3-5 years) as an executive assistant or similar role

    • Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point), Adobe Acrobat

    • Outstanding organizational and time management skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail

  • This position requires knowledge about trends in relations to individual donor engagement. Interns will build an individual donor database platform, as well as develop long term relationship between WITNESS and its key constituencies which would result in substantial and prolonged financial support for WITNESS.

    RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS

    • Work with ED to manage the drafting gift proposals; acknowledgement letters and other correspondence on behalf of senior administration; gift acceptance documentation; and other donor-related documentation as needed

    • Participate in coordination and standardization of donor recognition signage 

    • Work with ED to ensure appropriate and timely stewardship reports for major amd principal gifts, particularly those related to endowed funds and campaign initiatives.

    • Collaborate with the Special Events team to plan and implement select high-level cultivation/stewardship

    • Oversee, develop and/or manage content , production and distribution of print and digital media publications, including, but not limited to, articles, broadcast emails, invitations, brochures, flyers, newsletters, websites and any other print or online content for WITNESS

    QUALIFICATIONS

    • Excellent oral, written communication, and organizational skills

    • Able to think strategically about marketing and communications

    • Superior attention to detail

    • Ability to set clear priorities, complete complex projects and manage time well.

    • Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, as well as creativity and resourcefulness

  • An Intern and Volunteer Coordinator helps organize all aspects of volunteering and interning, from recruiting new volunteers and interns, to managing intern and volunteer projects, to keeping track of intern schedules. This person is responsible for creating and maintaining an organized volunteer and internship schedule.

    RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS

    • Reviews and approves internship applications

    • Helps interns refine internship goals

    • Keeps track of intern hours and responsibilities 

    • Meets with interns on a recurring basis to check progress

    QUALIFICATIONS

    • Experience managing interns or volunteers

    • Strong communication and interpersonal skills

    • Excellent organizational and team-building skills

    • 1-3 years of volunteer experience

  • **We are currently not looking for an illustrator/cartoonist intern.

    The Illustrator/Cartoonist intern will provide robust support for a new storytelling/comic program at WITNESS that centers the narratives and voices of formerly incarcerated people (FIP). The intern will help develop concepts, design, and illustration into a finished product with both art and copy. The Illustrator/Cartoonist intern will have strong creative abilities, technical proficiency, and nuanced storytelling skills, as well as the ability to collaborate with a small team of dedicated interns and staff.

    RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS

    • Collaborate with a small team to develop illustrations, graphics, and structure for the comic strip

    • Provide artistic direction, design leadership and support for this program.

    • Generate an artistically nuanced and graphically coherent final product, the comic strip, that incorporates the lived experiences, narratives, and voices of the FIP featured.

    QUALIFICATIONS

    • Education or experience in illustration, graphic design, and writing; previous internship experience considered a plus.

    • Strong design, writing, illustration and research skills. Graphic design, video and HTML/content management experience preferred.

    • Proficiency in manual drawing, coloring, as well as facility with Adobe Creative Suite software (Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign)

    • Know-how to produce communications in multiple formats, including digital, print, and video.

    • Excellent interpersonal skills and attention to detail required.

    • Strong organization skills. Ability to effectively manage course load, extra-curricular and internship responsibilities.

    • Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Willingness to ask questions when in need of direction or clarification.

    • Ability and confidence to interact with staff at all levels and external constituents.

    • Creativity and passion for philanthropic communications and non-profit marketing. Desire to continue learning and growing.

  • The Journalist/Copywriter intern will be involved in developing, writing, and editing biographical profiles for a number of formerly incarcerated people. The intern will write copy, edit, and publish these profiles. The Journalist/Copywriter intern will have strong skills in writing, editing, content creation, and nuanced storytelling, as well as the ability to collaborate with a small team of dedicated interns and staff.

    RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS

    • Work closely with Witness staff and interns to develop compelling biographical narratives for FIP featured in Witness’ MAP that center these individuals’ voices, narratives, and experiences

    • Provide writing and editing support for work related to this project.

    • Generate e-newsletter and social media content.

    QUALIFICATIONS

    • Education or experience in journalism or writing; previous internship experience considered a plus.

    • Strong copyediting, research, and writing skills.

    • Know-how to produce communications in multiple formats, including digital, print and broadcast.

    • Excellent interpersonal skills and attention to detail required.

    • Strong organization skills. Ability to effectively manage course load, extra-curricular and internship responsibilities.

    • Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Willingness to ask questions when in need of direction or clarification.

    • Ability and confidence to interact with staff at all levels and external constituents.

    • Creativity and passion for philanthropic communications and non-profit marketing. Desire to continue learning and growing.

  • The marketing and communications interns will provide support to Witness through writing, material development, event planning, research and evaluation. The interns will help to develop and implement communications strategies and materials that engage Witness members and prospective members; promote collaboration among a broad spectrum of stakeholder groups and raise awareness of Witness to Mass Incarceration within the broader community.

    RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS

    • Develop content for social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Volunteer Match, and other digital platforms.

    • Provide on-site/ virtual event support and assist the team with event planning and community relations. This includes speaking with members of our programs.

    • Generate e-newsletter and social media content.

    • Monitor pen-pal program

    QUALIFICATIONS

    • Education or experience in public relations, communications or marketing; previous internship experience considered a plus.

    • Strong writing, proofreading, social media and research skills. Graphic design, video and HTML/content management experience preferred. Special event experiences are a plus.

    • Know-how to produce communications in multiple formats, including digital, print and broadcast.

    • Excellent interpersonal skills and attention to detail required.

    • Strong organization skills. Ability to effectively manage course load, extra-curricular and internship responsibilities.

    • Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Willingness to ask questions when in need of direction or clarification.

    • Ability and confidence to interact with staff at all levels and external constituents.

    • Creativity and passion for philanthropic communications and non-profit marketing. Desire to continue learning and growing.

  • We are seeking a creative Digital Artist with a strong background in pixel art to join our video game development team. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in creating pixel art assets, including sprites, sprite sheets, tilesets, and environment objects, for video game development.

    RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS

    • Create pixel art assets for our upcoming 2D top-down RPG video game, ensuring they align with the 16-bit art style of the game.

    • Design and animate a variety of sprites and sprite sheets, including characters, enemies, and interactive elements.

    • Develop detailed tilesets and environment objects that enhance the game world's immersion and aesthetic appeal.

    • Collaborate with the game design team to ensure consistency and alignment of art assets with game mechanics and narrative.

    • Provide creative input and ideas to enhance the visual appeal and gameplay experience.

    QUALIFICATIONS

    • Experience in digital art, specifically in pixel art and 16-bit aesthetics.

    • Portfolio showcasing pixel art assets, including sprites, sprite sheets, tilesets, and environment objects.

    • Proficiency in pixel art tools and software (e.g., Aseprite, Photoshop).

    • Passion for video games, particularly RPGs, and an understanding of game design principles.

  • The Special Events/Convening Intern will assist in planning and executing a wide variety of events, including our annual Suitcase Sunday event, which brings together formerly incarcerated people (FIP) their  families, more than 50 FIP-led services and businesses,  a diverse group of congregations and religious organizations, community-based organizations, local and municipal governments and other supporters to celebrate the  success FIP have had since being released from prison. This intern will also play a key role in supporting our events and marketing programs. The role will also support the marketing team by providing assistance with events management, execution, communication and design.

    RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS

    • Performs diverse, advanced and confidential administrative support functions including composing, signing and releasing routine but somewhat complex correspondence

    • Usually relieves management of administrative details; gathers, compiles and reports information relevant to/for department; may manage a number of different and often conflicting objectives, projects or activities at one time

    • Communicates with executives, board, staff and interns to gather or convey relevant information

    • May be involved in high-level client contact and exposure to sensitive information, and must use considerable tact, diplomacy and judgment

    • Managing executives’ calendars

    • Coordinate executives’ travel plans

    QUALIFICATIONS

    • Advanced administrative and analytical skills

    • Thorough knowledge of a variety of software programs

    • Proven experience (3-5 years) as an executive assistant or similar role

    • Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point), Adobe Acrobat

    • Outstanding organizational and time management skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail

  • **2+ years of grantwriting experience required**

    WITNESS is seeking an intern to assist with grant writing and fundraising activities. This opportunity is excellent for an individual seeking to gain more experience in grant and funding research, writing, and planning activities for a nonprofit organization. The intern will work in collaboration with Witness’ Founder to draft compelling grant proposals, among other activities.

    RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS

    • Draft compelling grant proposals and conduct relevant research and data analysis for the proposals

    • Identify, through research, public and private grant and corporate sponsorship opportunities for the legal programs within the organization

    • Develop program summaries, outlining how each of our programs are run for funders

    • Assist grant writer in maintaining the annual grant-making calendar

    • Assist in preparing donor materials, including packets, thank-you letters, and processing incoming donations

    • Be a part of the planning and execution of fundraising campaigns, appeals, and events

    QUALIFICATIONS

    • Undergraduate (junior or senior) or graduate student with experience in English and/or Communications

    • 2+ years of grantwriting experience required

    • Excellent writing, verbal, proofreading, editing, and professional phone and email communication is required

    • Flexible and self-motivated

    • Detail-oriented, with the ability to prioritize under deadlines

    • Proficient in Microsoft Office products, specifically Word and Excel, as well as Internet search tools

    • Previous experience in research and/or grant writing

    • Previous experience in event planning is preferred

    • Understanding of or prior work/volunteer experience in non-profit organizations is preferred

  • WITNESS voter registration initiative is designed to register incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people (FIP) to vote and to Get Out The Vote (GOTV). We have worked to register our FIP for several election cycles. We are looking to hire a volunteer coordinator to work with our staff and interns in building our capacity to do in-person, phone banking, and texting voter registration.

    RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS

    • Organize and lead outreach events for the purpose of registering new incarcerated and formerly incarcerated voters

    • Organize and promote a social media campaign to encourage voter registration among incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people 

    • Organize voter registration drives throughout the city, coordinating staff, interns, partners, and volunteers to execute successful events.

    • Coordinate pop up events and in-person door knocking

    QUALIFICATIONS

    • Experience in civic engagement 

    • Excellent organizational skills required

    • Strong interpersonal skills and attention to detail required

    • Ability and willingness to coordinate groups of volunteers/interns 

    • Social media knowledge is required 

    • Phone banking experience is a plus

  • Performs diverse, advanced, and confidential functions including building and maintaining web pages on Squarespace using HMTL, CSS, and JavaScript. Implements designs through programs like Figma and collaborates with web designers to ensure quality user experience. Optimize site performance by troubleshooting issues and finding efficient solutions.

    RESPONSIBILITIES & QUALIFICATIONS

    • Performs diverse, advanced, and confidential functions including building and maintaining web pages and online storefront on Squarespace.

    • Implements designs through programs like Figma and collaborates with web designers to ensure quality user experience. 

    • Optimize site performance by troubleshooting issues and finding efficient solutions.

    • Update new information onto sites (press, media, etc.) 

    QUALIFICATIONS

    • Advanced administrative and analytical skills

    • Thorough knowledge of a variety of software programs

    • Experience with Squarespace (CSS, HTML, Javascript) preferred

    • Required experience in web design and or development

    • Familiarity with Figma preferred

    • Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point), Adobe Acrobat

    • Outstanding organizational and time management skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail

    • Required to apply with online portfolio or link (Drive, Github, website) to previous relevant projects