Operations & Reception Intern in Bridgeport, Connecticut at Connecticut Institute For Refu

CIRI is seeking an Operations & Reception Intern to support our Operations Coordinator and Reception team. This is a great opportunity for a student interested in nonprofit operations, immigration services, human services, public administration, or potentially pursuing a career in immigration law.

The intern will gain hands-on experience with the day-to-day operations of a busy nonprofit organization while also spending time supporting reception. Because reception is often the first point of contact for individuals seeking immigration legal services and other CIRI programs, the intern will have the opportunity to learn about CIRI’s immigration services, the types of immigration matters our team handles, and how clients are connected to appropriate services and resources. Schedule and number of hours flexible. This is an unpaid internship.

The intern will work closely with CIRI’s Operations Coordinator and Reception team and may assist with:

• Greeting clients, visitors, and community members and helping connect them with the appropriate staff or program
• Answering and directing incoming phone calls
• Learning how to identify and appropriately route inquiries related to immigration legal services
• Assisting with appointment scheduling and general reception responsibilities
• Providing administrative support to the Operations Coordinator
• Assisting with office organization, supplies, mail, deliveries, and other day-to-day operational needs
• Helping with special projects related to facilities, office operations, safety, and administrative systems
• Learning how different CIRI programs work together to serve immigrants, refugees, and other members of the community
• Maintaining confidentiality and professionalism when working with sensitive client and organizational information

This internship provides exposure to both nonprofit operations and direct client-facing services. The intern will have the opportunity to learn about:

• Immigration legal services and common immigration-related client needs
• How clients are screened and connected to appropriate services
• Professional communication with individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds
• The operations behind a multi-program nonprofit organization
• Office and facilities coordination
• Confidentiality, professionalism, and client service
• How administrative and operational roles support CIRI’s overall mission

• Current college student or recent graduate preferred
• Interest in immigration law, nonprofit work, human services, public service, business operations, or a related field
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Friendly, professional, and comfortable interacting with the public
• Organized, dependable, and willing to jump in where needed
• Able to handle confidential information appropriately
• Comfortable working with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures
• Spanish fluency strongly preferred.
• Basic computer skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office

This internship is a particularly good fit for someone who enjoys working with people but also wants to understand what happens behind the scenes to keep a nonprofit organization running. No two days are exactly the same, and the intern will have the opportunity to gain experience across both operations and client services.