Internship Opportunity: Chief Operating Officer (COO) Intern

Prevention Links | Spring, Summer & Fall Semesters

Reports To: Maritza I. Raimundi-Petroski, MPA, Chief Operating Officer
Schedule: Minimum of 10 hours per week preferred
Format: Hybrid, based on student needs, academic requirements, and assigned projects
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About the Opportunity

Prevention Links is seeking motivated, organized, and detail-oriented college students for a Chief Operating Officer (COO) Internship. This opportunity provides hands-on experience working directly with the Chief Operating Officer and gaining insight into nonprofit leadership, program operations, project management, organizational development, data analysis, and executive-level decision-making.

Interns will contribute to meaningful organizational projects while learning how a nonprofit coordinates programs, people, partnerships, data, and resources to advance its mission. Through direct exposure to executive leadership and cross-departmental collaboration, interns will develop professional skills in business communications, research, data management, project coordination, and organizational problem-solving.

Assignments will be tailored, when possible, to the student's academic interests, professional goals, and Prevention Links' organizational priorities.

Who Should Apply?

This internship is ideal for students interested in nonprofit management, public service, organizational leadership, business operations, communications, and community impact.

Students pursuing degrees in the following disciplines are encouraged to apply:

• Public Health

• Public Administration

• Business Administration and Management

• Marketing, Communications, Fundraising, or Development

• Liberal Arts and Humanities

• Social and Behavioral Sciences

• Other related fields

Junior and senior undergraduate students are preferred; however, students at all undergraduate levels are encouraged to apply.

Bilingual Spanish/English skills are a plus but are not required.

Key Responsibilities

Working directly with the Chief Operating Officer, the intern may assist with the following responsibilities:

Executive Communications and Reporting

• Draft and edit professional emails, reports, executive summaries, meeting notes, and other business communications.

• Organize information and prepare written materials to support leadership discussions and decision-making.

• Assist with preparing internal reports, presentations, and organizational updates.

Project Management and Coordination

• Track multiple projects, timelines, deadlines, deliverables, and action items.

• Develop and maintain spreadsheets, project trackers, and organizational tools.

• Follow up on assigned tasks and help ensure project milestones are completed.

• Manage clearly defined components of larger projects from initiation through completion.

Data Management and Performance Outcomes

• Assist with collecting, organizing, entering, and tracking program metrics and organizational data.

• Maintain accurate spreadsheets, trackers, and reporting tools.

• Identify basic trends, patterns, and insights to support internal reporting and organizational planning.

• Assist with preparing data summaries for leadership, donors, funders, and Board reporting.

Research and Organizational Development

• Conduct research and summarize findings to support operational planning and executive decision-making.

• Assist with special projects involving program operations, quality improvement, organizational initiatives, communications, and community partnerships.

• Support the development of recommendations and resources to improve organizational efficiency.

• Help identify opportunities to strengthen processes, collaboration, and project implementation.

Executive Exposure and Cross-Departmental Collaboration

• Participate in meetings and observe nonprofit leadership and operational decision-making.

• Learn how departments coordinate priorities, resources, and organizational initiatives.

• Support communication and collaboration across teams as assigned.

• Maintain strict confidentiality when working with organizational, employee, participant, financial, or other sensitive information.

Learning Outcomes and Professional Development

Through this internship, students will have opportunities to develop practical skills in:

• Nonprofit leadership and executive operations

• Project management and task coordination

• Business writing and professional communication

• Data collection, organization, and reporting

• Research and analytical thinking

• Organizational planning and process improvement

• Presentation development and executive reporting

• Time management and prioritization

• Cross-departmental collaboration

• Professional judgment and problem-solving

• Confidentiality and ethical workplace practices

• Community partnerships and mission-driven operations

Students will gain insight into how executive leadership supports organizational performance, program quality, accountability, and mission advancement within a nonprofit environment.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate college or university program; junior and senior students preferred.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Good organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to manage assignments, meet deadlines, and prioritize responsibilities.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, or willingness to learn.

• Interest in nonprofit management, public service, organizational operations, or community-based programming.

• Ability to work independently while collaborating with leadership and other departments.

• Professionalism, discretion, and a commitment to maintaining confidentiality.

• Bilingual Spanish/English skills are a plus but are not required.

Internship Schedule and Format

The COO Internship is offered during the Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters. A minimum commitment of 10 hours per week is preferred.

The internship will operate in a hybrid format, with scheduling and in-person participation determined by student needs, academic requirements, project assignments, and organizational priorities.

Interns will work directly with the Chief Operating Officer and receive guidance on assigned projects, professional development, and organizational initiatives.

Why Intern with Prevention Links?

At Prevention Links, our mission is to promote healthy, resilient communities through education, family strengthening, and addiction recovery support.

This internship offers students a unique opportunity to learn from nonprofit executive leadership, contribute to meaningful organizational projects, and gain experience that can support future careers in public administration, business management, nonprofit leadership, public health, communications, and related fields.

Ready to build your leadership and professional skills while making a difference?

Explore internship opportunities with Prevention Links:

https://preventionlinks.org/get-involved/work-at-prevention-links/