The Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) enforces civil rights laws to ensure equal opportunity in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and lending. ICRC is also charged with providing education and services to the public to ensure equal opportunity for all Hoosiers and visitors to the State of Indiana.
ICRC internships provide hands-on experience and coveted enforcement insight related to these laws. Students are introduced to the work of the ICRC under the guidance of a supervisor and work with professional staff, specifically with program directors, staff attorneys, and the general counsel. This program is a non-paid internship consisting of 10-15 hours a week.
Internship Opportunities
The ICRC seeks interns/volunteers to work in the following areas:
1. Communications/Marketing and Outreach (undergraduate and graduate students)
Student interns will support the External Affairs Unit in conducting research, overseeing social media, and developing creative content for various internal and external public education and training initiatives. Interns may be expected to assist in coordinating meetings, workshops, and trainings; maintain compliance data and reporting; draft correspondence and respond to phone calls from constituents and agency partners; and support the administration of other ICRC programs and activities. Proficiency in MS Office Suite required. Fluency in Spanish or another language desired. Interest or experience in communications, program development, instructional design, interpretation/ translation studies, and/or public relations a plus. A minimum of 10 hours per week required during the fall and spring semesters with the opportunity for full-time in the summer.
2. Complaint Intake (undergraduate, law or other graduate students)
The selected intern will meet or speak telephonically with individuals to assist them to file discrimination complaints, including collecting key legal information (related to jurisdiction and prima facie legal elements) and assisting them to write a narrative describing their allegations. Requires excellent writing, analytical, and interpersonal skills. Minimum of one full weekday each week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the fall and spring semesters (two full days preferred); full-time during the summer.
3. Investigations/Enforcement (law students or law graduates)
The selected intern will review investigative findings of discrimination claims regarding workplaces, housing, education, and places of public accommodation, including examining documents, exploring case files, inspecting evidence, and drafting recommendations concerning whether probable cause exists. Requires excellent writing and analytical skills. Minimum of 15 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters; full-time during the summer.
4. Legal Unit (law students or law graduates)
The selected intern will assist with evaluating legal strategy, preparing discovery requests and responses, interviewing witnesses, conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, and hearings and court proceedings. Interns will also assist the General Counsel by performing legal review of investigative records; review and edit as needed the recommended agency findings prior to signature by Directors; and review agreements and contracts for the Directors. Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills are required. A minimum of 15 hours per week during the fall, spring and summer semesters.
5. Alternative Dispute Resolution and Compliance (law students or other graduate students)
The selected intern will assist in internal and external compliance initiatives which involve the detection, analysis, and remediation of non-compliance with rules, regulations, and consent agreements. Intern may be responsible for inputting a fair amount of information into databases regarding parties, agreements and compliance. Students will have the opportunity to engage in substantive legal research and writing and play an instrumental role in the mediation and conciliation of complaints. fall, spring and summer semesters.
6. Indiana Commission for Women (ICW) (undergraduate or graduate students)
The selected intern will work directly with the Executive Director with several critical areas, including conducting research and collating publicly-available statistics on issues affecting women in Indiana, preparing issue alerts on various topics with issues of concern to women, and assisting with the development and implementation of programs, outreach, training, and other materials as needed that communicate the needs of women and/or celebrate their contributions to Indiana. Proficiency in MS Office Suite required. Interests or experience in program development, research, and/or communications preferred.
7. Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males (ICSSBM) (undergraduate or graduate students)
The selected intern will assist the Executive Director involved in planning, coordinating, and executing the health initiative, conferences or special events targeting black males. The selected students will have the opportunity to engage in disparate discovery, research, draft documents or resource tools, and be involves in participating in Commission activities. Interns will also support and oversee social media and develop creative content for various internal and external public education and training initiatives. Proficiency in MS Office Suite and interest or experience in program development and communications required. Hours are flexible and the internship is designed for twelve to thirteen weeks.
8. Indiana Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs (ICHLA) (undergraduate or graduate students)
The selected intern will be given the opportunity to work closely with the ICHLA Director on various projects and initiatives aimed at serving the needs of Indiana's Latinx population. Interns will gain significant knowledge of various Indiana government agencies including the Indiana Civil Rights Commission. Language accessibility and advocacy is a large part of this internship to best assist the limited English proficient or non-English proficient residents of Indiana. Outreach and Communications interns will be asked to handle tasks pertaining to completed projects such as the expansion of our databases, capture multimedia materials, and produce written media pieces. ICHLA Interns will support and oversee social media and develop creative content for various internal and external public education and training initiatives. MS Office Suite required. Major in Communications, Political Science and/or Journalism and skills in website design development, photo and video editing, and social media are preferred. Outreach and Communications interns will assist with matters pertaining to some ICHLA related items so expect to work closely with other ICRC interns.
9. Indiana Native American and Indian Affairs Commission (INAIAC) (undergraduate or graduate students)
The selected intern’s experience will combine immersion in Native American cultures and communities in Indiana, with public service experience. Our goal is for you to leave the program with valuable knowledge about what government commissions are and what they do, and to also provide opportunities for your professional growth. The INAIAC intern will assist the commission director in planning events and implementing initiatives for the commission, as well as coordinating bi-monthly public meetings. Duties will include crafting messaging for social media, research on commission areas of focus, coordinating with speakers or partner organizations, and supporting outreach efforts. You will have the chance to interact with commissioners, tribal leaders, legislators, constituents, and various organizations as we advance our mission. Proficiency in MS Office and oral and written communication are required, and an interest in any of the following is recommended: Native American studies, public relations, communications, public affairs, or project management/development.
Build your skills while serving others in this unique opportunity! The INAIAC works to increase awareness and celebration of Native American heritage and culture and identify challenges and solutions in our areas of study that are relevant to Native Americans living in Indiana.
Selection Criteria
The ICRC will consider the “whole candidate” when making selections for the internship program. Selections are made based on many elements of a candidate’s background, including a demonstrated commitment to service, academic achievement, leadership, past employment, and extracurricular activities that relate to the work of the Commission. A knowledge of discrimination law is helpful, but not expected.
Receiving Academic Credit for the Internship
Volunteer interns may qualify either for course credit or as part of a school’s work-study program. In addition, some schools sponsor public interest fellowships or other programs where legal interns receive a stipend for public interest work. Interested students should contact their law school for specific information and requirements.
How to Apply
Internships are available year-round, and applications are accepted until positions are filled. Candidates should fill out the application below and include a resume, a brief writing sample (less than 10 pages), and a cover letter detailing the candidate’s interest in working for the Indiana Civil Rights Commission and top two positions of interest. The cover letter should also include the days and hours during the week that the candidate is available to work. Most positions are filled at least one month before the start date. Start dates are generally the second week of September, the third week of January, and the first week of June.
Dual Learning Opportunities: We want to support the growth of our interns and their interests. For instance, an intern can split their time between two departments. This allows interns to broaden their understanding of government and to keep their options open to new opportunities.
While there are application deadline dates set below, applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, we often fill all available internship slots prior to the stated deadlines.
Applications for summer internships
The ICRC seeks full-time interns/volunteers during the summer. Summer applications are now open. Deadline for applications is Friday, April 29, 2022.
Applications for fall internships
For the fall semester, we are open to interns/volunteers who can work a minimum of 10 to 15 hours each week, as specified above. The deadline for fall applications is August.
**For questions or additional information, contact our Public Outreach and Education Manager, Kyleigh Cramer.
Please click the link below to complete the form.
What to Expect
The Commission provides interns with a multiple-day orientation and training program. Interns gain substantive background knowledge on ICRC’s work, including the legal and procedural aspects of administrative law and the legal grounds for civil rights discrimination cases. Additional training sessions include brown-bag lunchtime talks, film screenings, and joint activities with other organizations throughout the internship. The ICRC staff ensures that interns receive regular supervision and support.
The Indiana Civil Rights Commission is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. ICRC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. ICRC encourages applications from minorities, women and other groups that are underrepresented in the legal profession.