About the role#
The Defender Association of Philadelphia is hiring a part-time Community Engagement & Research Intern to support the development of the FosterPower PA app. This role serves as a bridge between the app development team and the youth the tool is designed to serve. You will lead outreach efforts, build community trust, and ensure that the voices of young people directly shape the design and features of the application. This position is grant-funded through March 31, 2027.
What you'll do#
- Design and host lived-experience learning communities to gather insights from teens and young adults with experience in the foster system.
- Develop and execute outreach strategies to recruit participants for beta testing.
- Organize and communicate user feedback to the app development team to guide updates.
- Act as an app ambassador by providing demonstrations at conferences and community panels.
- Collaborate with Data Analysts to manage research data.
What you'll need#
- You must be a former youth in foster care who has transitioned out of the dependency system at least two years ago.
- You must be over 21 years of age.
- A High School Diploma or GED is required. Current college enrollment in fields such as Psychology, Sociology, Public Health, Communications, Human Resources, or Criminal Justice is a plus.
- Strong interpersonal skills and prior experience with group facilitation.
- Ability to successfully complete child abuse clearances and background checks.
Location & details#
- This is a hybrid position based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- The role is part-time, up to 20 hours per week.
- This is a paid internship.
About Defender Association of Philadelphia
The Defender Association of Philadelphia is a nonprofit law firm that provides legal representation to adults and juveniles. Founded in 1934, the organization operates out of Philadelphia and employs 579 staff members. Its teams include attorneys, social workers, investigators, and paralegals who manage criminal, delinquency, and neglect cases. The firm focuses on connecting clients with social services and advocating for fair outcomes within the justice system.
How to get in at Defender Association of Philadelphia
Securing an internship at the Defender Association of Philadelphia requires staying ahead of the application volume. Because this firm manages high-stakes criminal and delinquency cases, they prioritize candidates who demonstrate a clear commitment to public defense. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you apply among the first, as early applicants get seen before the pile grows. You should aim to be in that first wave of interest. Beyond the initial application, you can improve your odds by connecting with the right people. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company's roles so you can reach out directly to ask about the role or a referral, which materially improves response rates. A brief, professional inquiry to a recruiter can help you stand out in a competitive field.
