Child Welfare Intern

General Description:

Child Trends’ Child Welfare Team conducts research and provides technical assistance to improve the lives of children and youth who have been or who are at risk of being abused or neglected, placed in foster care, or adopted. We focus on how child welfare and partnering agencies are structured, funded, and run; the policies and services provided to families; and how interaction with child welfare agencies affects the well-being of children and families. Through research and technical assistance, we seek to inform policy makers and improve front-line practice. We strive to promote equity by centering lived experiences in our research.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Child Trends invites applications for part-time summer intern positions (20 hours per week for 8 to 10 weeks) for individuals who have lived experience in the child welfare system. Internships will begin in June and last through mid-August. The interns will be members of the Child Welfare team, and work with a group of staff on a project focused on supporting transition age foster youth and examining whether investments improve youth services and outcomes for young people in three cities. 

Based on each intern’s goals and interests, they may participate in data collection activities (e.g., interviews), analysis, team meetings, writing, summarizing, and sharing results. The interns will also co-lead an advisory board of former foster youth to provide guidance to the project team and help interpret information. The intern positions require an interest in topics related to foster care and research.

Specific responsibilities may include:

• Plan and lead advisory board meetings (leading discussions, developing materials or activities, coordinating outreach).
• Assist with virtual interviews with organizations and public agency leaders (notetaking, coding, and interpreting information).
• Help collect, analyze, and interpret data.
• Assist with writing up findings.
• Help prepare reports and presentations for different audiences (e.g., foundation staff, youth-serving organizations).

Qualifications:

• Lived experience in the child welfare system (e.g., experience in foster care, adopted from the child welfare system).
• Must have regular, scheduled availability during daytime hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
• Experience or interest in the following topics: child welfare, education, career development, mental health, housing, reproductive health, young parenthood.
• Interest in research and data.
• Interpersonal and communication skills required for virtual teamwork.
• Experience with word processing (Word), spreadsheet (Excel), and presentation (PowerPoint) applications, as well as Internet proficiency are preferred.
• The ability to work independently and the flexibility to handle multiple tasks. 

Benefits:
For all full-time and part-time employees who work a minimum of 20 hours per week, we offer generous vacation + sick leave + paid holidays; optional individual/domestic partner/family medical, dental and vision benefits effective first day of employment; optional pet benefits; pre-tax reimbursement funds (FSA, HSA, Commuter); life insurance; short/long term disability, basic life and AD&D coverage paid for by Child Trends; paid family leave; paid bereavement leave; professional development and tuition reimbursement allowance; and 403(b) retirement plan with immediate vesting and Child Trends contributions after 1 year of employment. To learn more, go to https://www.childtrends.org/about-us/careers and click " Benefits." 

Background Investigation:

Jobs that involve interactions with children and positions that rely on high levels of trust to perform duties are subject to a background check at the time of hire. Employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. We will always conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check and never inquire into an applicant's criminal history until interviews have been conducted and offer decisions are being made. Current employees may also be subject to future background checks depending on the nature of their duties. A criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate or current employee from employment, however any convictions related to the responsibilities and requirements of the position may do so.

How to Apply:

Please follow the “apply” link to submit your application. When asked by the system to upload resume, please upload one document that includes your resume and cover letter and contact information for one or two references. Materials must be combined into one document in order to be uploaded. If you have any difficulties with this process please email the requested materials to recruitment@childtrends.org and make sure to reference the position in the subject line. No phone calls please!

Child Trends is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research center headquartered in Rockville, MD with more than 200 staff in over 28 states that provides valuable information and insights on the well-being of children, youth, and their families. For more than 40 years, policymakers, funders, educators, and service providers in the U.S. have relied on our data and analyses to make better decisions and policies on programs serving children, families, and youth. www.childtrends.org.  

Child Trends is committed to hiring, retaining, and promoting staff who bring a rich diversity of experience to support our mission of improving the lives and prospects of children and youth, especially those made most vulnerable by the effects of historical and ongoing systemic discrimination. Together, we envision a world in which a child’s race, ethnicity, family income, gender, sexual orientation, disability status or any other social identity does not determine how that child will fare in life. Therefore, we approach every aspect of our work with these ideals in mind and encourage professionals who share in our commitment to apply.    

Child Trends is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.