Internship Restorative Justice Practitioner Jobs

The Burlington Police Department (BPD) is offering an internship opportunity for students interested in public safety, community policing, and restorative justice. This position blends hands-on experience in law enforcement with community-focused outreach, providing interns with exposure to the criminal justice system, the Community Justice Center, and restorative justice practices. Interns will work closely with officers, community partners, and CJC staff to gain a comprehensive understanding of how policing, community programs, and justice initiatives intersect to promote safety and trust. By the end of the internship, students will:

• Understand how community policing, restorative justice, and traditional justice processes work together.
• Develop practical skills in outreach, communication, and marketing.
• Gain real-world experience in public safety operations, community engagement, and justice system procedures.
• Build professional connections in law enforcement, community services, and the justice system.

The internship will have two openings; May 18 - August 7 (Summer) and August 31 - December 11 (Fall), and will be between 8-10 hours/week. Union affiliation: Non-Union. Pay grade: Unpaid, for college credit. Remote tier 2: Up to one (1) day remote/week.

Public Safety & Criminal Justice Exposure:

• Observe and participate in day-to-day patrols with officers in the community.
• Attend multidisciplinary staff meetings, ask clarifying questions, and learn how law enforcement collaborates with partners in mental health, housing, and substance use services.
• Gain familiarity with policing tactics, procedures, and policies, and learn about collaboration between divisions and outside agencies.
• Engage in discussions with BPD staff, affiliated partners, and other public safety professionals to explore potential career paths.

Restorative Justice & Court System Learning:

• Learn about the Community Justice Center and how restorative justice practices are used to address harm, repair relationships, and strengthen community trust.
• Observe restorative justice panels or City Circle and reflect on how these processes differ from traditional criminal justice responses.
• Visit the courthouse to observe the traditional proceedings of the criminal legal system and understand the roles of judges, attorneys, and law enforcement within the judicial process.
• Gain insight into case flow, from initial law enforcement contact through court resolution and potential restorative outcomes.

• Ability to actively support, and work skillfully with people from all cultures and with those whose identities differ from your own.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as evidenced by trainings and professional development both at the individual and organizational levels.
• Strong interest in public safety, community policing, and/or criminal justice.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Comfort with social media platforms and basic content creation tools.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people.
• Willingness to learn, ask questions, and engage respectfully with community members and professionals.

Promoting a culture that reveres diversity and equity.

The City of Burlington is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we are strongly committed to creating a dynamic and equitable work-force that mirrors the population and world that we serve. We do not discriminate on the basis of political or religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, crime victim status, veteran status, disability, HIV positive status, or genetic information in employment or the provision of services.

In addition to being an equal opportunity employer we actively encourage applicants who can contribute to our growing diversity to apply.

Applications for our employment opportunities are only accepted online through our Government Jobs website.

For accessibility information or alternative formats, please contact Human Resources Department at 802-540-2505 or careers@burlingtonvt.gov.