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. IPP focuses on novel and creative approaches to prison reduction and engages in public education, advocacy and direct legal representation..

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. IPP requires all team members to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination will be required.

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 entire internship to help with in-office tasks. IPP commits to funding all intern positions at a rate comparable to $15.80 per hour and with the expectation of working between 36 hours per week for 10 weeks starting June 3, 2024 through August 9, 2024. Successful applicants will be asked to pursue school funding if available. 

Responsibilities include:

• Local office support: Visit the IPP office (located at 53 West Jackson Blvd, Chicago IL 60604) 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; and
• 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, organizing and storing archived mail, and inventory management.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Is able to work 36 hours per week from June 3 - August 9, 2024 during normal business hours (which are Monday through Thursday 9am-5pm and Friday 9am - 12:30pm);
• Is able to visit the IPP office (located in the Loop) for at least three days each week during normal business hours (listed above);
• Is exceptionally detail-oriented and organized;
• Has excellent written communication skills in English and the ability to compose, edit, and proofread materials;
• Has a reliable laptop computer;
• Has previous experience working with printers and scanners;
• Is personable and comfortable with answering phone calls;
• Exhibits independence and self-initiative;
• Has 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;
• Is motivated to learn more about Illinois' criminal legal system; and
• Has a deep commitment to criminal legal change in Illinois and social, economic, and racial justice.

Location: Candidates must live in the Chicago area for the entire duration of the internship. This position provides a hybrid work environment, including working remotely and out of IPP’s office at 53 West Jackson Blvd in Chicago, IL at least three days each week.

Reports To: Executive Assistant & Office Manager

Compensation: This is a full-time contractor (1099) position. IPP commits to funding all intern positions at a rate comparable to $15.80 per hour and with the expectation of working 36 hours per week for 10 weeks starting June 3, 2024 through August 9, 2024. Interns are paid a monthly stipend at the end of each month. Successful applicants will be asked to pursue school funding first if available. 

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.

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How to Apply:

• Please DO NOT apply via Handshake. 
• Please submit a resume and cover letter as PDF documents via email to hiring@illinoisprisonproject.org with “Office Support Intern” in the subject line. some text
  • Applications that do not include a cover letter will not be considered.
  • Within your cover letter, please include a rough schedule that you’re able to commit to for the duration of the internship. Applications that do not include this information will not be considered.
• Applications will be accepted until April 1st and reviewed on a rolling basis.
• Due to the large volume of applicants, we will not be able to reply to individual emails about an applicant’s status. No phone calls, please.