Investigations Intern (Summer 2026)

The New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR) seeks highly motivated students with a passion for protecting civil rights to work with its Investigations Unit, serving as Investigative Interns. This is a unique opportunity to gain experience in the investigative process for civil rights issues.  This is an unpaid position but applicants may seek funding from other sources or academic credit from their school if eligible. Applicants must commit to a minimum of 12 weeks for 20-30 hours per week. 

The Investigative Intern will support DCR’s mission by assisting in the investigation of discrimination complaints, developing interview questions, completing review of documents and evidentiary materials, and drafting reports and correspondence related to investigations. This internship provides an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in civil rights enforcement, administrative investigations, and in public service. 

DCR is the division in the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office responsible for combating discrimination and addressing hate and prejudice in New Jersey. DCR enforces New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination (LAD), the oldest state civil rights statute in the country, as well as the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA) and the New Jersey Fair Chance in Housing Act (FCHA). DCR investigates complaints of discrimination, educates the public on civil rights issues, and works to ensure equal treatment for all residents. 

Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, preferably in Criminal Justice, History, Political Science, Journalism, social sciences, or a related field.
• Strong interest in civil rights and social justice issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Basic computer literacy. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

To apply, please submit the following application materials by March 13, 2026, to Investigator Jessica Peoples at Jessica.Peoples@njcivilrights.gov and include “Investigations Intern” in the subject line: 

• Resume;  
• Cover letter;
• Brief writing sample of no more than 5 pages (unedited by others or by artificial intelligence tools); and 
• Unofficial academic transcript.

Interns will be permitted to work either remotely or on a hybrid schedule from one of DCR’s offices (Atlantic City, Newark, Trenton, or Cherry Hill).

Please note that you must complete a Confidential Background Investigation Clearance Form if you intend to accept an offer for a position in the internship program. Please visit our website to learn more about us: www.njcivilrights.gov. 

The Attorney General’s Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our staff. State law prohibits discrimination in hiring or employment on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, affectional or sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or breastfeeding, sex, gender identity or expression, disability or atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait of any individual, or because of the liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States or the nationality of any individual, or because of the refusal to submit to a genetic test or make available the results of a genetic test to an employer. For more information, click here: www.nj.gov/oag/diversity-inclusion/reports.html