Summer 2026 - Research Intern, Opening Doors

Vera • Brooklyn, NY

16d • $17 - $25 • Hybrid

About The Position

Vera’s 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 Doors Research Intern will provide research and 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 is resourceful , creative, committed to race, equity, and inclusion, and has interest and skills in policy analysis and research. In 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: How Vera works with external partners, such as s tate housing f inance a gencies , to advance Vera’s mission How to conduct research in the non-profit sector How to translate research insights into actionable insights for diverse audiences To build cross-team connections and strong professional network

Requirements

• Current undergraduate or graduate student, or recent graduates, with a demonstrated interest in the criminal legal system; or equivalent experience
• Demonstrated ability to work with advocates, government officials, criminal legal system personnel, practitioners, and people who are directly impacted by the criminal legal system.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Technical knowledge helpful for this role: Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Nice To Haves

• Education in public policy, social work, political science, criminal justice, or related field; or equivalent work experience.
• Education and/or experience in research methodologies and data management
• Lived experience as a person directly impacted by the criminal legal system.
• Strong interest in racial justice advocacy.

Responsibilities

• Support data collection and research activities Support qualitative data collection activities, such as interviews or survey data collection with housing providers, stakeholders or formerly incarcerated individuals Support management of administrative data Support preliminary data analysis and drafting findings memos to document learnings for internal and external audiences
• Conduct desk research and synthesize the findings Support desk research needed to understand the landscape in specific states where we are working on projects Assist in 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 by identifying public data sources and compiling and reviewing state-specific housing policies and programs.
• Support technical assistance to Housing Finance Agencies Meet with community partners Conduct research into state and local housing programs supporting people w/ conviction histories Support implementation of state work plans
• Administrative and other related tasks Administrative tasks such as webinar logistics and correspondence internally and externally. Participate in other program activities and events during the summer.

Benefits

• generous paid time off
• a comprehensive health insurance plan
• student loan repayment benefits
• professional development training opportunities and up to $2,000 annual for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work
• employer-funded retirement plan
• flexible time

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees