UT Shield

Social Inequality Health & Policy

, Filed Under: Internship

Summer 2025: Travis County Public Defender’s Office

Key Information

  • Summer 2025 Internship starting May 28th, 2025
  • The deadline to apply is Friday, February 14th, 2025
  • This is an unpaid internship

Organization Overview

Travis County Public Defender’s Office Officially opening our doors in January 2021, TCPDO provides high-quality holistic defense representation to indigent people accused of crimes in Travis County. Our interdisciplinary team-based model features criminal defense attorneys, Padilla immigration attorneys, social workers, civil paralegals, investigators, and legal secretaries working together to serve clients’ expressed goals and needs related to the criminal charges, and to combat the harmful collateral consequences/enmeshed penalties they trigger.

Born out of a desire to see improved outcomes for people coming through the County’s criminal legal system, all TCPDO advocates are guided by the community-shaped goals set out in our foundational documents: ( 1) promoting a client-centered culture that values and respects client dignity; (2) serving as a strong, independent, institutional voice for public defense; (3) providing a training ground that produces excellent defenders; (4) raising the quality of criminal representation for all people charged with crimes in Travis County who cannot afford an attorney; and (5) being resourceful and responsive to the evolving needs of the community.

Internship Description 

Investigative Interns

PDO Investigators are a critical part of the defense team as they work in concert with public defender attorneys to investigate allegations of suspected violations of criminal statutes and possible legal defenses to and mitigation against those allegations and use their findings to provide information to help guide the course and outcome of client representation. As an investigative intern, you will work closely with PDO investigators in planning and conducting complete investigations of criminal allegations and circumstances of clients’ lived experiences. This may include but is not limited to: taking photographs and measurements; collecting and evaluating physical and testimonial evidence; serving subpoenas; present orally and in writing findings of investigation; and preparation of demonstrative evidence for use in proceedings related to the allegations.

Please note in your application if you are fluent in Spanish.

How To Apply

Please send a resume and statement of interest to TCPDOInternProgram@traviscountytx.gov.

Preferred Qualifications for this position include:

• Mission-aligned experience (work or lived) advocating on behalf of people/communities directly impacted by the criminal/immigration/indigent civil legal systems

• Skill in building rapport and communicating effectively across lines of difference with others

• Ability to bring a trauma-informed approach to communicating with people in crisis

• Ability to use active listening and demonstrate empathy

• Attention to detail and attunement to surroundings

• High level of organization; ability to take and maintain accurate records and write concisely

• Ability to conduct fact investigations

• Flexibility and adaptability

• Ability to drive preferred

• Ability to speak Spanish preferred

TCPDO is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. The PDO strongly encourages candidates of all identities, experiences, abilities, and communities to apply. All applicants should be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment that enables staff and clients to feel empowered, valued, respected, and safe. In considering applicants, TCPDO values an applicant’s experience and/or thoughtfulness in working with people from communities that experience marginalization.

, Filed Under: Internship

Fall 2024 Internship with Wye River Group

We are seeking interns to work with us on timely social and public policy issues, such as substance use (SU), mental health, (MH) public health (PH), life sciences and health technology. Ideally the student(s) would have some familiarity in one or more of these areas and a strong interest in learning how public policy works.

This is an excellent opportunity to meet health and health care influencers and gain insights about the challenges in SU, MH and PH application on individuals, families, and communities across Texas and how public policy is addressing those challenges.

This term we have a special focus on the legislative process. In addition to other responsibilities each intern will participate in crafting a bill analysis for HB 4687 (88th R) known as the Texas Trust.

The internship will start September 1, 2024  and continue through December 1, 2024 . The candidate(s) selected will work directly with Anita DSouza, Senior Fellow at WRG and Jon Comola, founder WRH.

The interns selected will learn how legislation is advanced, policy and legislative research tools, policy development, and writing a bill analysis/policy paper.

The interns will also have the opportunity to hear from insiders on the formal and informal processes that shape public policy, meet policy experts, and hear from thought leaders in these issue areas.

All work is remote and will require that you have a computer and telephone. Note there may be a field trip to the capitol.

Thank you for your consideration. If interested, please contact us at the email below.

Anita D’Souza, Senior Fellow Wye River Group

Contact:

Anita D’Souza

Email: WRGHFall2024@gmail.com

, Filed Under: Internship

Community Outreach Programs Interns Fall 2024 with the Johnson Center

Community Outreach and Program Interns

Interns are invited to apply to the Johnson Center Food Recovery and Community Support Program, providing front line service support to underserved communities. Interns will be involved with and responsible for planning and implementing weekly food recovery efforts from local businesses, working with community organizations on food recovery and pantries, social media promotions, project management, and more. Excellent for students interested in project management, community advocacy work, or social work.

We are looking for students who are willing to take initiative, meet deadlines, have good attention to detail, and can work with multiple professionals to execute their plans. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your leadership skills, work closely with professionals and families, and be an integral part of our team.

Schedule is  offered in morning or afternoon blocks (8am-1230 pm or 1230pm-5 pm). Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 am – 5 pm. For those looking for a one semester internship, commitment is 16 hours per week. Office is located within walking distance of the UT Campus. Parking available.

Interested students may email info@johnson-center.org with a resume and references. Interviews for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 are currently being held. Office is located within walking distance of the UT Campus. Parking available.

Research Interns

The Johnson Center for Child Health & Development is a non-profit organization that provides supports and services to children with autism, learning challenges, chronic health and mental health needs. We serve children and families from all over the country and have a diverse and active research program. We are looking for interns to help with data collection and entry, study promotion, and more.

We are looking for students who are willing to take initiative, meet deadlines, have good attention to detail, and can work with multiple clinicians and professionals to execute their plans. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your leadership skills, work closely with professionals, families, and children in both a clinical and nonclinical setting, and be an integral part of our team. Past research interns have been included on professional publications.

Schedule is  offered in morning or afternoon blocks (8am-1230 pm or 1230pm-5 pm). Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 am – 5 pm. For those looking for a one semester internship, commitment is 16 hours per week. Office is located within walking distance of the UT Campus. Parking available.

Interested students may email info@johnson-center.org with a resume and references. Interviews for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 are currently being held. Office is located within walking distance of the UT Campus. Parking available.

Clinical Interns

The Johnson Center for Child Health & Development is a non-profit organization that provides supports and services to children with autism, learning challenges, chronic health and mental health needs. We serve children and families from all over the country and have multi-disciplinary clinic that provides diagnostic and assessment services, counseling, feeding therapy, behavioral therapy, and nutrition and medical intervention and support.

We are looking for students who have an interest in childhood health and development and the clinical treatment and supports provided to children and their families. Students who are eager to learn and be a part of the overall process of providing meaningful support and therapeutic intervention are invited to apply. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about multi-disciplinary care.  We regularly place interns in counseling, diagnostic, medical, educational, and nutritional support positions.

Schedule is  offered in morning or afternoon blocks (8am-1230 pm or 1230pm-5 pm). Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 am – 5 pm. For those looking for a one semester internship, commitment is 16 hours per week. Office is located within walking distance of the UT Campus. Parking available.

Interested students may email info@johnson-center.org with a resume and references. Interviews for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 are currently being held. Office is located within walking distance of the UT Campus. Parking available.

Development Intern

Interns are invited to apply for the Johnson Center Development Team, providing resources and support to community members in need. Interns will be involved with recruiting support from local businesses, working with community organizations on resource promotion, social media promotions, project management, and more. Excellent for students interested in project management, non-profit work, or marketing.

We are looking for students who are willing to take initiative, meet deadlines, have good attention to detail, and can work with multiple professionals to execute their plans. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your leadership skills, work closely with professionals and families, and be an integral part of our team.

Schedule is offered in morning or afternoon blocks (8am-1230 pm or 1230pm-5 pm). Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 am – 5 pm. Office is located within walking distance of the UT Campus. Parking available.

Interested students may email info@johnson-center.org with a resume and references. Interviews for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 are currently being held. Office is located within walking distance of the UT Campus. Parking available.