NIU Huskie Closet — Management Intern
Position Overview
The purpose of the Huskie Closet is to provide access to free clothing for NIU students. The Management Intern for the Huskie Closet will oversee the closet, a new initiative of the Center for Nonprofit and NGO Studies, located in the Chick Evans Field House. Specifically, the intern will recruit and manage a team of volunteers; manage the inventory of the closet; upkeep the organization and look of the closet; track and report use of the closet; and market and promote the closet to students.
Position Requirements
The Management Intern of the Huskie Closet should:
- be a currently enrolled NIU undergraduate who is a full-time (12 credit hours) junior or senior for academic year 2021-2022
- be a Nonprofit and NGO Studies major, minor, or certificate student (preferred)
- be able to work between 10-12 hours per week including Thursday evenings and potential weekend hours during the fall 2021 and spring 2022 semesters. If employed at NIU, must not exceed a total of 20 hours per week in all NIU student employment.
- have experience using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel)
- have experience creating and managing marketing content on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
- have excellent written and oral communication skills, including team-based skills
- be creative and self-motivated with excellent time management skills
- be sensitive to needs and issues surrounding under-resourced populations; grounded in cultural competency and self-awareness
- be able to lift 50 lbs, and stand for long periods of time
- have a preferred minimum GPA of 2.5 overall
- be enrolled in NNGO 490: Nonprofit Internships in fall 2021, and can enroll in spring 2022 (if desired)
Working Schedule and Worksite Requirements
This is a part-time (minimum of 10 hours, up to 12 hours per week) paid internship position. This position is not eligible for sick, vacation, or holiday leave.
- The Management Intern must be available on Thursdays from 4:00pm – 8:00pm to operate Huskie Closet (the Closet will be open same hours as Huskie Food Pantry)
- Other specific days as necessary days/hours flexible
- Hourly rate of pay is $13/hour (maximum of $2,340 per semester)
Duties and Responsibilities
The intern will oversee the development and implementation of the Huskie Closet, an outlet for the distribution of clothing and other necessities that works in complement with the Huskie Food Pantry.
- Recruit, train, coordinate and manage volunteers
- Stock and organize the Huskie Closet, and track closet inventory
- Staff the weekly open hours of the Huskie Closet
- Create and implement a marketing and social media strategy
- Collect clothing donations and help plan clothing drives with campus organizations and units
- Develop policy, procedures, documentation, and evaluation components
- Build a culture of warmth and belonging with volunteer teams and clients
- Work with Huskie Closet Advisory Committee to create
Training and Orientation Provided
Supervisor(s) will work with student to provide orientation information. As this is a brand-new program we’ll be creating some of the training and orientation as we go along. The student intern will meet with a supervisor at least once per week, and ongoing training and assistance will be provided as it is identified.
Expected Learning Outcomes
This internship mimics a leadership position in a nonprofit organization. The Closet Manager will:
- Apply classroom learning to a real workplace setting
- Articulate how the internship relates to career goals and outcomes
- Improve the ability to communicate clearly and effectively
- Serve a diverse population of students with wide ranging backgrounds and needs
- Understand related justice and equity issues
- Learn about management and program prioritization in a real-life setting
- Improve public speaking, presentation, and critical thinking/decision-making skills
Employment Products
The Closet Management Intern will submit a portfolio at the end of each semester with contents to be determined in collaboration with the Internship supervisor; student will also receive and evaluation at the end of each semester from the supervisor and will complete a self-evaluation as well as an evaluation of the internship experience.
To apply
Send resume and cover letter stating interest to Julie Ann O’Connell, Assistant Director, Nonprofit and NGO Studies (supervisor) jaread@niu.edu 815.753.4410
