Jobs

Apply by Friday, October 31, 2025

Job Title: Academic Intern (unpaid)

Reports to: Senior Manager - Impact & Belonging, Inclusive Hiring

Eligibility: Must be in an enrolled academic program and be able to receive academic credit

Duration: Rolling start date aligned with Spring 2026 Semester

Location: Hybrid (Dallas, TX or Atlanta, GA)

About the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice 

Every human, regardless of their circumstances, is entitled to respect, equality, fairness, and dignity before the law. Yet systems of justice so often discriminate, over-criminalize, and trap the most vulnerable people in destructive cycles of punishment and poverty.

The Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ) is an award-winning international nonprofit that works with companies to champion solutions that promote public safety, deliver justice, and strengthen communities. Founded in 2018, RBIJ works to advance change by:

Reforming Justice Systems. We help businesses use their leverage to move critical criminal justice reform initiatives in partnership with local leaders. RBIJ has supported legislative and executive reform efforts in half of the U.S. states and the U.K., across nearly a dozen policy areas including automatic record sealing (Clean Slate), occupational licensing reform, driver’s license reform, and more.

Restoring Communities. We empower companies to create employment opportunities for justice-impacted job seekers and those vulnerable to system involvement through meaningful reforms in recruitment and hiring policy, ensuring systemic change is translated into real-life impact.

Reframing Narratives. We build and entrench the narrative that justice reform and inclusive hiring aren’t just social causes — they’re smart business strategies.

About the Role 

RBIJ is seeking a student intern to work alongside an international team in a hybrid work environment to support its engagement with the business community to advance the activities described above. The ideal candidates are dynamic and entrepreneurial, seeking to develop their interest and experience in criminal justice reform or corporate social responsibility through policy and advocacy efforts, strategic communications, and/or inclusive hiring practices.

Responsibilities 

The Inclusive Hiring intern will gain valuable experience through the following supervised duties:

• Assist with the design and development of program materials.

• Assist with developing written content related to RBIJ’s inclusive hiring work, including email outreach and webinar material.

• Monitor for news and developments related to inclusive hiring issue areas.

• Assist with maintaining and developing the inclusive hiring resources folder.

• Assist with maintaining and expanding RBIJ’s Inclusive Hiring database of businesses and drafting communications to businesses.

• Assist with the day-to-day operations of the team, including tracking progress on various projects and deliverables.

• Support the Senior Manager for Impact and Belonging to identify JEDI resources to support the expansion of the JEDI employee resources bank.

• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements 

• Must be able to satisfy school credit during the internship.

• Enrolled in an accredited college or university degree program (this internship will satisfy school credit). RBIJ will verify enrollment prior to start date.

• Demonstrated interest in criminal justice reform and/or increasing economic inclusion.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work well in a team.

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing deadlines and quick-turnaround deliverables.

• Entrepreneurial spirit and the ability to think creatively, be a self-starter.

• Ability to work on a distributed team in a remote environment.

• Commitment to RBIJ’s mission and goals (available on our website here) is essential.

  
   

How to apply   

To apply please submit (1) a one-page cover letter detailing your interest in RBIJ, its work, and the position, and (2) your resume (combined into one pdf) to: applications@rbij.org no later than October 31, 2025.

Candidates who perform well in preliminary interviews may be asked to submit a writing sample.

Compensation, benefits, and location

RBIJ is seeking an intern who will gain school credits for this role. RBIJ will work with the candidate and school/program to make appropriate arrangements and meet established requirements. This is an unpaid internship, with no benefits, and with no promise of employment following the conclusion of the internship.

RBIJ is an international organization with a hybrid work environment. We are accepting applicants based in Dallas, TX and Atlanta, GA that will have the opportunity to work alongside other members of the Inclusive Hiring team.

Applicants must be actively enrolled in an accredited college or university degree program for the full duration of the internship (proof of enrollment required).

RBIJ is a fiscally sponsored project of NEO Philanthropy.

RBIJ and NEO Philanthropy are an equal opportunity employer and candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We especially encourage justice-involved individuals and those with family members impacted by the justice system to apply.

We respect and value a positive work-life balance and we strive to offer opportunities for growth and self-fulfillment while working with us.