Legal Intern

THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY OF $19.50 PER HOUR.

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well‑being of children and families through child welfare and juvenile justice services and community supports. ACS manages community‑based supports and foster care services and provides subsidized childcare vouchers.

ACS child protection staff respond to allegations of child maltreatment. In juvenile justice, ACS oversees detention, placement, and programs for youth in the community.

ACS’ Division of Family Court & Legal Services (FCLS) is responsible for representing our agency in child neglect and abuse cases, juvenile delinquency proceedings, and other child welfare proceedings in the New York City Family Courts. FCLS is a legal office with attorneys and support professionals in each of the five NYC boroughs. Each unit is led by a Borough Chief and a team of other supervisors.

FCLS attorneys and support professionals work together collaboratively with Child Protective Specialists, Case Planners, and other child welfare specialists to further the agency’s mission on behalf of children and families. FCLS is seeking a highly motivated and detail‑oriented Legal Support Undergraduate Intern to join our Staten Island FCLS team.

As a Legal Support Undergraduate Intern, you will support our Staten Island FCLS team with day‑to‑day tasks within the Borough Office and Staten Island Family Court. This internship offers an excellent opportunity to learn about family court and child welfare law. Additionally, as a member of the 2026 ACS Summer Internship Program cohort, you will participate in an enrichment program designed to fully engage students into the ACS and NYC government experience.

Internship programming includes professional development workshops, lunch and learns, speaker events, NYC government tours, and networking opportunities.

• Attend and observe hearings and record notes
• Conduct outreach to case planners and witnesses via telephone and email
• Perform data entry into various electronic databases
• Assist attorneys and supervisory staff with retrieving/delivering documents throughout the city, file organization, and photocopying records and related documents
• Assist with special projects, and provide administrative/clerical support to agency attorneys and the Staten Island FCLS office, as needed

• Gain comprehensive knowledge of ACS’ mission and values, the family court process and child welfare laws
• Develop skills in managing several projects efficiently and effectively
• Enhance abilities to multi‑task and work effectively in a fast‑paced environment to accomplish the agency's mission on behalf of children and families

As of June of the Program year the prospective intern must be a student matriculated in a college or be a recent college graduate (winter/spring term of the Program year).

NOTE:

Appointment to this title is only valid for the duration of the Program, June - August each year.

• Currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in criminal justice, government, social work, human services, education, or a related field
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion
• Keen attention to detail, a self‑starter, and a proactive approach to problem‑solving

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

SUMMER COLLEGE INTERN - 10234

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.