Office Support Intern

The Illinois Prison Project (IPP) is a nonprofit organization in Chicago that seeks to reduce mass incarceration by providing legal services to individuals incarcerated in the Illinois Department of Corrections. We focus on novel and creative approaches to prison reduction including mass commutation campaigns, sentence restructuring, public education and advocacy.

The Illinois Prison Project seeks a dynamic, detail-oriented, organized and energetic Office Support Intern to join us. The Office Support Intern will provide administrative support to the IPP team in an effort to reduce mass incarceration. This will be a part-time summer internship from June 2023 - August 2023.

Although the team has a hybrid in person/remote work environment, IPP requires this position to visit the office three days each week during their internship to help with in-office tasks. Successful applicants will be asked to pursue school funding if available. IPP commits to funding all intern positions at a rate comparable to $14.50 per hour and with the expectation of working 20 hours per week for 10 weeks during the summer months. The start date for the internship is June 5, 2023 and the end date is August 14, 2023. IPP requires all team members to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination will be required.

Responsibilities include:

  • Local office support: Visit the IPP office (located at 53 W. Jackson Blv.d) to open, sort, scan, organize, and send client and non-client mail (both physically and digitally).
  • Phones: Answer phone calls from clients, non-clients, and community members; forward calls appropriately; return voicemails and make call backs as needed.
  • Data management: Input and track client and non-client data and letters.
  • Administrative projects: Assist Office Manager as needed with various administrative projects to reorganize the physical office and revamp the current office systems in place, such as the incoming/outgoing mail process, phone coverage and data management.

Desired qualifications:

  • Able to work 20 hours per week primarily during normal business hours (M-F 10-4) with some flexibility for potential evening/weekend events.
  • Able to visit the IPP office in the Loop three days each week throughout the internship.
  • Exceptionally detail-oriented and organized.
  • Excellent written communication skills in English and the ability to compose, edit and proofread materials.
  • Has a reliable laptop computer.
  • Previous experience working with printers and scanners.
  • Personable and comfortable with answering phone calls.
  • Independence and self-initiative.
  • Prior professional and/or lived experience related to experiencing incarceration; working to end incarceration; experiencing trauma, community violence and/or gender based violence; and/or doing trauma-informed or anti-violence work.
  • Motivated to learn more about Illinois' criminal legal system.
  • A deep commitment to criminal legal change in Illinois and social, economic and racial justice.

Illinois Prison Project is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, pregnancy, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Illinois Prison Project believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success as an organization, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

How to apply:

  • Please submit a resume and cover letter via email to hiring@illinoisprisonproject.org with “Office Support Intern” in the subject line. Please note: applications that do not include a cover letter will not be considered.
  • Applications will be accepted until April 9, 2023.