Legal Intern

Cambridge Housing Authority • Cambridge, MA

2d • $20 - $25 • Onsite

About The Position

The Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) seeks a motivated graduate or professional student to serve as a Policy and Process Improvement Intern within the Office of the General Counsel. The intern will support a department-wide initiative to document, standardize, and improve key business processes by developing clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), training materials, and knowledge-management resources. Working closely with Legal Department staff and other CHA departments, the intern will review existing processes, interview staff, document workflows, identify opportunities for greater consistency and efficiency, and create user-friendly resources that support staff training and operational excellence. The primary goal of the internship is to transform institutional knowledge into clear, accessible documentation and training materials that can be maintained and delivered through the Authority's learning management system, Aspire. This paid internship is designed to provide hands-on experience in policy implementation, process improvement, organizational effectiveness, change management, and public-sector operations.

Requirements

• Current graduate or professional student in Public Administration, Public Policy, Business Administration, Organizational Development, Human Resources, Education, Law, or a related field.
• Strong written communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to translate complex information into clear and concise instructions.
• Strong interview, listening, and analytical skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple assignments.
• Ability to understand and document business processes, workflows, and operational practices in a structured and consistent manner.
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive, privileged, or internal information.
• Demonstrated interest in public-sector administration, housing programs, policy implementation, organizational effectiveness, or process improvement.
• Ability to review existing practices and identify opportunities for standardization, consistency, efficiency, and risk reduction.
• Ability to synthesize information obtained from policies, procedures, interviews, observations, and other sources into practical operating guidance.
• Capacity to understand complex organizational processes and translate them into clear, user-focused Standard Operating Procedures, training materials, and knowledge-management resources.
• Ability to learn and apply applicable federal, state, local, and organizational requirements that affect departmental operations and procedures.
• Ability to work with staff across multiple functional areas to gather information and develop a comprehensive understanding of business processes.
• Interest in knowledge management, training development, continuous improvement, or organizational learning initiatives.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with process mapping, training development, knowledge management, or project management is preferred.
• Experience with public agencies, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, or similarly mission-driven organizations is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Inventorying existing Legal Department processes and workflows.
• Meeting with staff to understand how work is performed in practice.
• Documenting current business processes and decision points.
• Creating easy-to-follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Developing process maps, checklists, templates, and reference guides.
• Converting SOPs into training materials suitable for self-directed learning.
• Assisting with the upload and organization of training content within Aspire.
• Recommending methods for maintaining and updating SOPs and training materials over time.
• Preparing a final report summarizing completed work, recommendations, and next steps.
• Conduct interviews and information-gathering sessions with staff.
• Review existing forms, templates, policies, procedures, and training materials.
• Observe departmental workflows and document current-state processes.
• Develop written SOPs that are clear, practical, and easy to follow.
• Create workflow diagrams, process maps, and visual aids.
• Draft training materials, job aids, FAQs, and quick-reference guides.
• Organize departmental knowledge and resource materials.
• Assist with implementation of training content in Aspire.
• Track project milestones and maintain project documentation.
• Prepare presentations and reports summarizing findings and recommendations.
• Assist with special projects related to organizational effectiveness, training, policy implementation, and operational improvement.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• This paid internship is designed to provide hands-on experience in policy implementation, process improvement, organizational effectiveness, change management, and public-sector operations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern