Volunteer, Internship and Community Engagement Opportunities

Find how you can get involved.

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DCJ is committed to engaging community members in achieving our vision of community safety through positive change in Multnomah County.

Through volunteer and intern programs, as well as community advisory bodies, community members contribute their time and expertise to support success for justice involved individuals, ensuring our programs meet our community’s needs. Their motivations are diverse, encompassing a passion for social justice, a commitment to public service, or a desire to support individuals in their journey toward reintegration and stable futures.

In 2025, over 100 volunteers contributed more than 3,500 hours of service with DCJ. If you are interested in ways to get involved with DCJ, please contact us.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer opportunities with DCJ provide a great opportunity to gain insights into criminal justice systems, acquire valuable professional experience, and join a team that champions restorative approaches, compassion, accountability, and positive change.

Most volunteer opportunities are developed based on the volunteer’s unique skills and experience, as well as the department’s needs. Individuals and organizations seeking to provide voluntary services and support are encouraged to visit How to Become a Volunteer to learn more.

Donald E. Long (DEL) Juvenile Detention Facility

  • Group Facilitators - Work with small groups of youth to teach a lesson or workshop of your design. Life skills, arts, recreation, career development and leadership training are some of the areas where support is most needed.
  • DEL School Tutor - Volunteer in the classroom teaching youth in a variety of subjects and applied learning, including: health, science, natural sciences (gardening, etc.), math, literature and more.

Other opportunities

  • Social Pet Therapy - A wonderful opportunity to share your certified therapeutic animal with staff and community members in DCJ’s facilities. Animals & handlers must be certified.

Internship Opportunities

DCJ offers a variety of internship experiences, available twice a year and based on organizational need and DCJ mentor’s capacity to host.

Seasonal Internship Experiences

Experiences are typically 10 to 20 hours per week, for 6 to 9 months. Experiences are designed to develop job skills in Criminal Justice fields. Applicants are not required to be students. Applications are due biannually, in summer and winter. Placements are made in fall and winter. All seasonal internships are unpaid at this time.

College to County

College to County is Multnomah County’s premier summer Internship Program. Available to college students and recent grads, College to County connects emerging professionals to paid experiences throughout the county. Applications launch in February and close in March.

Clinical internships

DCJ is not currently accepting practicum or clinical internship placements at this time. Please check back next school year.

Community Engagement

Multnomah County and DCJ values community input and involvement. To find out more about joining a board or a committee, visit the Office of Community Involvement. DCJ currently has two advisory bodies::

Community Advisory Budget Committees (CBACs)

CBACs are one way to get involved in the county budget process. DCJ’s CBAC is made up of community members who are passionate about community justice and commit to learning about DCJ’s operations to contribute budget recommendations to County staff and leadership.

  • Bios
  • Photos
  • Meetings are open to the public and take place on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 5:30-7pm. Join meetings virtually here: DCJ Community Budget Advisory Committee (CBAC) Virtual Meeting Link (coming soon)
  • Links to agendas (coming soon)
  • Links to minutes (coming soon)
  • Link to application
  • Link to policy handbook

Family Voices Council

The Family Voices Council uplifts youths and families with lived experience in the juvenile justice system.

Last reviewed August 15, 2025

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