Criminal Justice Internship - Fall 2026

Criminal Justice Internship - Fall 2026

Location

Des Moines - 50314 - Polk County, IA

Job Type

Internship

Job Number

27-00110

Agency

225 Corrections - Community Based Corrections - Des Moines

Opening Date

07/14/2026

Closing Date

8/3/2026 11:59 PM Central

LinkedIn Tag

#LI-DNP

Point of Contact

doc5thinterns@iowa.gov

To Apply

To apply, please submit a completed application via the Government Jobs website and attach a current resume and college transcripts.

• Description
• Questions

Job Description

This is a non-merit internship position. Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

5th District, Department of Corrections has exciting Criminal Justice internship opportunities for Fall 2026. This role offers students practical learning opportunities within the community based corrections system. Interns will gain exposure to probation and court operations, legal processes, and public service while supporting Probation/Parole Officers and other district staff. Please note that these internship opportunities are unpaid.

Key Responsibilities

• Learning supervision processes of adult and/or juvenile clients
• Observing and conducting interviews and ongoing supervision meetings
• Monitoring compliance with probation conditions, including employment, treatment, restitution, and community service
• Performing risk and needs assessments and helping develop supervision plans
• Learning about victim services and the process of keeping victims safe
• Observing pre-sentence investigations and reports for the court
• Maintaining detailed case notes and accurate electronic records
• Collaborating with staff mentor, treatment providers, law enforcement, judges, and community agencies
• Addressing probation violations and learning how to write violation reports or court recommendations
• Attending court proceedings, trials, and hearings
• Referring clients to appropriate treatment, educational programs, or support services

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age and have completed at least two years of college by the start of the internship
• Must be currently enrolled at an accredited educational institution
• Preferred majors/coursework include, but are not limited to, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology, Law, Political Science, or Public Administration
• Professional demeanor and ability to maintain confidentiality
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently, multitask, and follow instructions
• Comfortable being in a criminal justice environment

Internship Details

• Hours: Flexible based on student needs
• Location: Des Moines or other agreed upon location (we cover 16 counties)
• Start Date: September 2026
• Pay: Unpaid (professional experience)
• Application Deadline: August 3, 2026

To apply, please submit a completed application via the Government Jobs website and attach a current resume and college transcripts.

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees' rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants for positions in this class must be currently enrolled students in a degree program at an accredited educational institution, as determined by the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

01

Do you understand that the answers to all of the following questions must be truthful, honest, and accurate to the best of your ability? Please read all questions and answers thoroughly and make sure you understand them completely. Ensure the answers to your questions match the information filled out on your application and the attachments you have uploaded. If the answers to your questions are inconsistent with your application information or uploaded attachments, you will be given zero points for the question. Knowingly misrepresenting the facts when submitting any information related to an application, examination, certification, appeal, or any other facet of the selection process will result in your disqualification from this application and future employment with the state of Iowa.

• Yes - I understand and agree.
• No

02

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Have you filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq?

• No - I have NOT filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq
• Yes - I HAVE filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq

03

Are you CURRENTLY enrolled in an Associates, Bachelors or post graduate program?

• Yes
• No

04

Which semester are you interested in joining us?

• Fall 2026 (September-December 2026)
• Spring 2027 (January-April 2027)

05

What is your current major or area of study?

06

What motivated you to apply to our organization specifically?

07

What are your main career goals, and how do you see this internship helping you achieve them?

08

Please tell us what skills or areas of knowledge youre hoping to develop through this internship.

09

Approximately how many hours per week are you available to commit to this internship?

10

When are you available to start, if offered the internship?

11

How many total hours are required by your institution to complete this internship?

12

How did you hear about our internship program?

Required Question

Employer State of Iowa

Agency 225 Corrections - Community Based Corrections - Des Moines Address 1000 Washington Ave

Des Moines, Iowa, 50314

Website https://doc.iowa.gov/find-facility/fifth-district