Operations Intern

About Start Lighthouse

Start Lighthouse is a Bronx-founded 501(c)(3) nonprofit transforming underutilized school libraries into permanent Literacy Hubs where children discover the joy and power of reading. We believe every child, regardless of race or zip code, deserves access to high-quality literacy experiences, culturally responsive books, and learning environments that help them thrive.

Founded in 2020, Start Lighthouse began by delivering thousands of multicultural books directly to students and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, our work has grown into a comprehensive, school-based literacy model. We operate permanent Literacy Hubs across the Bronx, providing daily literacy instruction, student book shopping, author and illustrator visits, family engagement opportunities, and community literacy events. Each year, thousands of students build home libraries while developing the confidence and skills to become lifelong readers.

Everything we do is grounded in the belief that literacy is more than reading—it’s identity, opportunity, belonging, and joy. We combine high-quality programming with strong operational systems and deep school partnerships to create sustainable impact. As we continue to grow, we’re looking for interns who are excited to learn, take initiative, and contribute to building equitable literacy opportunities for children and families across New York City.

Role Purpose

The Operations Intern supports the systems that allow Start Lighthouse’s programming to run efficiently. This role helps build and improve organizational processes, manage projects, organize information, and strengthen day-to-day operations. This internship is ideal for students interested in nonprofit management, operations, project management, business, or organizational leadership.

Core Responsibilities

Project Management

• Support planning and coordination of organizational projects.
• Maintain project timelines and task trackers.
• Prepare meeting agendas, notes, and action items.
• Assist with process documentation and SOP creation.

Operations

• Organize organizational files and shared drives.
• Assist with inventory management and supply tracking.
• Support vendor coordination and purchasing.
• Help maintain organizational databases and records.

Data & Systems

• Update dashboards and spreadsheets.
• Conduct research and analyze information.
• Identify opportunities to improve organizational systems.
• Assist with reporting and impact tracking.

Administrative Support

• Coordinate logistics for meetings and events.
• Prepare presentations and internal documents.
• Support cross-functional projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Strong written communication skills.
• Comfortable using spreadsheets and digital tools.
• Curious about improving systems and processes.
• Able to manage multiple priorities independently.

Preferred Majors

• Business
• Nonprofit Management
• Public Administration

How We Work

Start Lighthouse is a systems-minded and student-centered organization. We believe strong operations create the conditions for meaningful impact.

In this role, you will:

• Work closely with the Chief of Staff and Operations Manager to improve organizational systems.
• Support projects from planning through execution.
• Build processes, documentation, and tools that improve efficiency and consistency.
• Organize information so work is visible, accessible, and sustainable.
• Identify operational risks early and recommend practical solutions.
• Help transform ideas into repeatable systems that strengthen the organization’s long-term capacity.

The strongest candidates for this role enjoy solving problems, creating order from complexity, improving systems, and helping mission-driven organizations operate more effectively.

Work Environment

This role is a hybrid position, combining remote work with regular in-person collaboration at Start Lighthouse offices, Literacy Hubs, and events. Responsibilities may include:

• Managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Working extensively with Google Workspace, Asana, spreadsheets, and organizational systems.
• Visiting Bronx Hub locations as needed.
• Lifting and organizing books, materials, or supplies (up to 25 lbs.).
• Occasional event support.

What We Look for in Every Intern

Regardless of role, successful interns:

• Believe every child deserves access to high-quality literacy experiences.
• Take ownership and follow through on commitments.
• Communicate clearly, proactively, and professionally.
• Welcome feedback and demonstrate a growth mindset.
• Are reliable, organized, and solutions-oriented.
• Work collaboratively and treat everyone with dignity and respect.
• Leave every project, classroom, or system better than they found it.

Start Lighthouse internships are designed to provide meaningful, hands-on experience while making a lasting impact on students, schools, and communities.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Start Lighthouse is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law.

We strongly encourage candidates from historically underrepresented communities to apply.

Start Lighthouse’s internship program is designed as an applied learning experience that helps college students translate classroom knowledge into professional practice. Interns gain hands-on exposure to nonprofit operations, program delivery, marketing, events, finance, and organizational systems while developing core workplace skills such as communication, prioritization, problem-solving, collaboration, and professional judgment. Each intern works from individualized learning goals and a structured work plan, receives regular supervision and feedback, and completes a capstone project tied to a real organizational need. This allows interns not only to observe how a growing nonprofit functions, but to contribute meaningful work, test career interests across multiple areas, build confidence in professional settings, and leave with a tangible work product they can reference in future job applications, interviews, and portfolios.