Juvenile Justice NC S.A.F.E. Intern (Summer 2026)

Description of Work

Are you a college student or recent college graduate interested in human services internship? If so, continue reading because this internship could be the perfect fit for you. 

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS) has a human services internship project available with NC S.A.F.E in the Division of Juvenile Justice for the Summer of 2026. 

NC S.A.F.E. stands for Secure All Firearms Effectively, a statewide public awareness initiative launched in 2023 by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. It promotes responsible gun ownership by providing resources, education, and free gun locks to prevent accidental shootings, suicides, and gun thefts, especially involving children.

Specific responsibilities of the Juvenile Justice NC S.A.F.E. Intern will include
• Identifying clubs in high schools across the state that perform volunteer work, establish relationships, perform outreach to secure volunteers, brief interested parties on the campaign message and available resources. 
• Traveling to events to coordinate campaign resources at the event and deliver the NC S.A.F.E. message. 
• Attending meetings and contributing to the planning process for future initiatives within the campaign, while learning marketing approaches, viewing analytics, and responding to any course correction offered through feedback received from the public and other state agencies.
• Establishing a high school program/club contact in each NC county to facilitate volunteers to staff NC S.A.F.E. tables.
• Staffing NC S.A.F.E. information tables at 15-30 events, including distributing gun locks and informational materials to gun owners concerning safe storage. 
• Learning marketing components in delivering a public health campaign statewide through participation in meetings, planning, and content delivery across multiple platforms.

The NC S.A.F.E. intern should possess the ability to facilitate multiple aspects of project management for developing an adult learning course and possess an interest in reducing firearm related deaths and injury.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

This internship is expected to start on May 18, 2026, and continue through July 24, 2026. The work schedule is part-time (up to 30 hours per week), Monday -Friday. The rate of pay is $18.00 per hour. We value our employees and are committed to providing flexibility in work schedules. This position qualifies for teleworking on a part-time basis as part of the State Telework Program.

A college transcript is required to determine eligibility. Please attach your unofficial college transcript(s). 

The selected intern will be required to provide a letter of recommendation from a professional reference or academic advisor/professor before being hired.

Interns will be hired through Temporary Solutions which operates as the State’s temporary employment agency. As a temporary position there are no leave or retirement benefits offered with this position. Visit www.nctemporarysolutions.com for employment information.

DPS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals.    

The Minimum Education and Experience (E&E) is REQUIRED to qualify for this position. Management Preferences, including Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs), are not required but may be used to determine the pool of most qualified applicants. Managers may also choose to interview/select applicants who demonstrate Management Preferences.    

All work history and education (including accurate dates of employment/attendance) must be documented on the application. Work experience may include internships, volunteerism, and full and part-time work. A complete, all-inclusive application maximizes an applicant’s potential to qualify for the position, as well as receive the highest possible salary if selected for the position. Salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations for the advertised position. Click here for more information and application resources.   

Resumes may be attached as a supplement to the application but are not a substitute for a complete application.    

Management Preferences   

• Must be currently enrolled in college or a recent college graduate. NOTE: "Recent" graduates are those who have graduated within the last 6 months.
• Must be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree (or a recent graduate) in Social Work, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Psychology, Public Policy or related Human Services field.

A college transcript is required to determine eligibility. Please attach your unofficial college transcript(s). The transcript must include your name, courses/major, and the name of the college/university.

Note: Please make sure your application is complete before submitting because the system will not allow you to reapply. (college transcript must be attached)

Note: Interns must submit to a background check and fingerprinting or consent to agency onboarding requirements

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Our internship program provides students with comprehensive professional development across key organizational processes. Participants will gain hands-on experience and certified training designed to enhance their knowledge and skills in diverse professional environments. Core learning outcomes include:

Partner Engagement: Facilitate collaboration across North Carolina to strengthen strategic initiatives. Communication Excellence: Deliver clear and impactful oral and written presentations to diverse stakeholders. Subject Matter Expertise: Serve as an SME on safe firearm storage, promoting best practices and compliance. Advocacy and Support: Act as an advocate for North Carolina State, assisting families impacted by gun violence through outreach and resource coordination. Operational Compliance: Ensure adherence to procurement procedures in alignment with organizational and state guidelines. Interagency Collaboration: Function as a liaison to key agencies, including the Office of Violence Prevention (OVP), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the Attorney General’s Office. In addition to practical experience, interns receive credentialed training and certifications, including: Lean Six Sigma methodologies for process improvement. Verbal de-escalation strategies for conflict resolution. Real Colors personality assessment for effective communication. Life-saving certifications in CPR, First Aid, and AED usage.

This combination of experiential learning and recognized certifications equips participants with the competencies necessary to excel in a wide range of professional settings.