Business Operations Intern

Job Description

Business Operations Intern | Tennessee Department of Correction

The Tone:
This is an internship at the Tennessee Department of Correction, located in Nashville, TN. The Tennessee Department of Correction is a multi-faceted agency dedicated to public safety through secure prisons and effective community supervision. This role is crucial within the Fiscal Division, which provides essential support through financial stewardship, contracts and acquisition management, business analysis, reporting, and operational decision support. As an intern, you will contribute directly to ensuring resources are effectively managed and utilized for the agency’s success.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Location: Nashville, TN (On-site)
• Pay: $20 hourly
• Team: Fiscal Division
• Mission: Provide practical, hands-on experience in public-sector business operations, supporting financial stewardship, contracts, business analysis, and reporting within a large public-sector agency.
• Tech Stack: Microsoft Office, Excel, Power BI, Tableau

What You’ll Actually Do
• Contract Management: Assist with procurement activities, organize contract files, review documentation, and support business case development.
• Process Improvement: Support process mapping and documentation efforts, create reports, trackers, and other management tools to advance agency goals.
• Data Analysis: Organize, clean, and validate financial or operational data to ensure accuracy and usability for reporting.
• Reporting & Dashboards: Develop dashboards and reports using tools like Excel to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for operational improvement.
• Operational Support: Apply classroom concepts to real-world government operations, contributing to financial, contractual, and operational decision-making.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in business, public administration, supply chain management, contracts or procurement management, finance, data analytics, information systems, accounting, or a related field; classified as a Junior or greater. This internship must be for academic credit, and applicants must pass a background investigation and pre-employment drug screen.
• Experience: Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and demonstrated ability to analyze and organize information effectively.
• Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, analytical thinking, and sound judgment in documentation practices.
• Bonus: A strong interest in organizing, analyzing, and presenting information clearly; experience or coursework in data analysis, databases, or reporting tools (including Excel formulas and pivot tables); exposure to data visualization/business intelligence tools like Power BI or Tableau.