Student Volunteer Internship Opportunity:

Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services

Background:

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) is a dynamic, high profile office, dedicated to advancing community policing, and facilitating the creation of problem-solving partnerships in America's communities. The COPS Office is responsible for substantially increasing the number of community police officers and advancing community policing throughout America. It awards grants directly to law enforcement agencies to hire police officers and funds innovative projects to combat crime and disorder problems such as school violence, drugs, gangs, and domestic violence. The COPS Office is a team-oriented, fast-paced environment.

The COPS Office is looking for Student Volunteers (non-paid interns) to work for the agency in assisting our staff in meeting its mission and goals. The positions would support the following programs:

• External Affairs and public outreach
• Policy development
• Grant Administration/ Grant Monitoring and Audit Liaison
• Administrative Program Support
• Information and Technology
• Accounting and Finance
• Human Resources
• Social Science Research
• Training and Technical Assistance

Description of Volunteer Internships:

This internship experience is designed to provide training and professional level experience in a federal agency that promotes and supports community policing programs nationwide. Interns should be capable of handling high-profile projects and routine assignments in a fast-paced organization that values ability over seniority. Ideal internship candidates will be flexible, friendly, talented, proactive individuals who enjoy new challenges.

Internship Responsibilities:

Interns will work within the various divisions of the COPS Office and projects may involve instruction and interaction with Departmental staff, state and local government officials and law enforcement representatives from a variety of community based organizations. Interns will actively participate in staff meetings and appropriate professional development activities.

In addition, interns would establish and maintain regular working hours; maintain professional appearance and manner; submit a list of objectives for the internship to supervisor; take the initiative to bring up questions and concerns; adhere to professional ethics as well as any policies and procedures established by the institution of higher education in which they are enrolled.

Qualifications:

Candidates must be currently enrolled as either a full-time or part-time student in an accredited institution of higher education; internships must be for credit towards a recognized degree program; candidates must possess strong written and verbal communications skills; basic computer literacy; and must be U.S. citizens.

Length of Internships:

The length of individual assignments ranges from 3 to 12 months. Candidates must be able to commit to work a minimum of 10-15 hours per week.

Location:

All internships will take place at the COPS Office, located at 1100 and 1110 Vermont Avenue, N.W., in downtown Washington, D.C.

Positions Available:

These positions are open year round and multiple positions may be available.

Other Important Information:

Prior to appointment, potential student volunteers who are not currently volunteering within the Offices, Boards, and Divisions of the U.S. Department of Justice, will be required to submit preliminary security paperwork for review. Volunteers will also be fingerprinted.

Prior to appointment, a Volunteer Student Agreement must be completed by the potential intern, the sponsoring academic institution and the COPS Office.

Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of color, race, religion, national origin, politics, marital status, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, or on the basis of personal favoritism. The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities and will reasonably accommodate the needs of those persons. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department of Justice.

Positions Available: These positions are open year round and multiple positions may be available.

Contact: Debbie S. Brown, Human Resources Program Manager, 1100 Vermont Ave, NW, 4th floor, Washington, DC 20530, or email COPS.HR@usdoj.gov. Inquiries can also be faxed to (202) 353-9700. All internship applications or inquiries should be submitted in writing.

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