NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness

The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) is offering in-person unpaid internships to talented students interested in a career in homeland security, emergency preparedness or cybersecurity.

POSTING NUMBER:    2025-Summer Internship

ISSUE DATE:                February 18, 2025

CLOSING DATE:          March 17, 2025 (4:00PM)

LOCATION:                  Hamilton, West Trenton or Newark, NJ

INTERNSHIP:              Summer Program: June 9, 2025-August 1, 2025

The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) leads and coordinates New Jersey's counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and preparedness efforts while building resiliency throughout the State. 

Interns will:

• Be exposed to all facets of the State homeland security and preparedness mission.
• Interact with senior government officials and various government agencies.
• Receive training and career development opportunities.
• Have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and college credit.
• Conclude their internship with a capstone presentation. 

Internships are offered in our three Divisions-Intelligence & Operations (Hamilton Office), Preparedness (Hamilton Office), NJCCIC (Hamilton, West Trenton or Newark) and our Communications Bureau (Hamilton Office). Applicants will be able to select the Division of their interest. Interns must report to in-person to their assigned office location. (Interns are not eligible for remote work). Hours of work will be Monday-Friday within business hours of 8AM-5PM. Interns are limited to no more than 35 hours per week. The program starts and ends on the dates noted above. 

For more information on our Divisions, please review our organizational structure:

Organization Overview | New Jersey OHSP

For suggested majors, please review our internship pamphlet:

Careers | New Jersey OHSP

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

High School Seniors are welcome to apply to internships in our NJ Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC). Internships in all other areas are only open to undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university or post-graduate program who have completed a minimum of 48 college credits or two years by the start of the internship. 

Applicable to all students:

• Undergo a Level 1 background investigation check.
• Have a U.S. citizenship or permanent residence status.
• Be available for the entire duration of the internship program.
• Submit all required documentation with application (resume, unofficial transcript, completed State of New Jersey Application for Employment (available on our website), cover letter discussing why you wish to intern for NJOHSP, and a writing sample under 500 words demonstrating your written work product (school assignment is acceptable).
• Must be available for Orientation on June 9, 2025, from 9AM-4PM.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants must submit the following:

• Resume
• Unofficial Transcript
• Cover letter discussing why you wish to intern for NJOHSP
• Writing Sample (not to exceed 3 pages) (school assignment acceptable)
• Completed State of New Jersey Application for Employment (available on our website)
• Letter of recommendation is optional.

All submissions must be received no later than 4:00PM on the closing date. Failure to submit all required documentation may result in your disqualification. 

NJ RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

In accordance with the New Jersey First Act P.L. 2011 c70, effective September 1, 2011, new public employees are required to obtain New Jersey residency within one (1) year of employment. For more information on the program and Divisions and Bureaus, please visit our website at www.njohsp.gov/internships. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

NJOHSP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our staff. We strongly encourage people from all groups and communities to apply. 

SAME Applicants: NJOHSP participates in the "State as a Model Employer of People with Disabilities" (SAME) program. If you are applying under the NJ "SAME" program, your Schedule A or B letter must be submitted along with your resume and any other required supporting documents indicated on the announcement by the closing date indicated below. For more information on the SAME Program please visit SAME Program, email: CSC-SAME@csc.nj.gov or call CSC at (609) 292-4144, option 3. 

NJOHSP provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application hiring process, please notify the agency via careers@njohsp.gov and request the ADA Coordinator contact you. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.