Programs Intern

Job Description

Job Description

Program Intern

Role Summary

Larta Institute is seeking highly motivated self-starters with exceptional multi-tasking, written and verbal communication skills, and passion for marketing, sales and partnership development for technology-driven innovation to join our Programs team.

This is a great opportunity to get familiar with technology and entrepreneurship, while learning best practices and execution approaches to building ecosystems and partnership across multiple industry sectors. This is not a typical internship. We are developing a training ground for emerging professionals who wish to pursue a career in sustainability, community health, innovation and/or entrepreneurship, including at Larta.

Candidates’ majors and interests should align with our organizational mission and culture to ensure a good fit for the internship, while keen on acquiring communications and planning skills with seasoned professionals and industry stakeholders.

About Larta’s Programs

Larta’s programs cover our two homegrown initiatives dedicated to advancing community-centered innovation, as well as Larta’s .federal programs. Through our Community Labs programs, Heal.LA and Venture Fellows, we work alongside entrepreneurs tackling pressing challenges in health equity, climate resilience, and community well-being. Both programs are offered at no cost to participants and provide hands-on support for both early-stage and experienced entrepreneurs addressing issues that directly impact communities across Los Angeles. Our goal is to identify, nurture, and scale solutions that strengthen healthcare systems and climate resilience for communities suffering disproportionately from major impacts of an increasingly hostile climate, and health risks from a lack of access to superior healthcare.

Heal.LA

Established in 2020, Heal.LA was designed by Larta Institute to provide expertise and support to entrepreneurs developing novel solutions that improve the health and wellness of Los Angeles communities. Now in its sixth year, the program focuses on three critical challenge areas currently (and these may change or get refined from year to year, based on observed data):

• Women’s health (including maternal and infant health)
• Mental and cognitive health
• Chronic disease prevention and management

Venture Fellows

Launched in 2023, Venture Fellows builds on insights from Heal.LA and leverages Larta’s 30+ years of leadership in climate and sustainability. This program is dedicated to advancing innovations that strengthen community resilience and adaptability to environmental challenges in Los Angeles County. Now in its third year, the program focuses on three challenge areas:

• Weather-resilient urban infrastructure
• Reliable & Equitable Energy Systems
• Clean Air, Safe Water, & Sustainable Food

Federal Programs

Larta’s current client portfolio includes recipients of SBIR/STTR (Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer) awards from various U.S. Federal agencies as well as companies from the private sector. These programs are designed to assist innovative entrepreneurs and university researchers with various commercialization activities including customized business consulting, intellectual property assessment, market research, pitch deck review, company financials, introduction to key industry stakeholders and potential investors, website design, marketing, and branding.

This role will give you an opportunity to identify and perform due diligence on SBIR/STTR awardees who are interested and ready to pursue private fundraising (beyond government awards). The Intern will also have an opportunity to engage with potential public and private strategic partners and learn about some of the most exciting technology innovations towards a sustainable planet.

Key Responsibilities

As a Programs Intern, you will:

• Learn about managing program and projects including process and workflows, best practices and task management, and tracking, assignment and decision-making processes.
• Work within the Larta Community Programs Team , collaborating with program and Larta’s ecosystem partners, small business founders, industry experts, and Larta staff
• Support program operations and strategic initiatives , including conducting research, compiling data, supporting events, and creating presentations
• Engage with startups from our programs to understand real-world innovation challenges and identify ways to support their growth
• Contribute to impact tracking , storytelling, and documentation through written summaries, data tracking, content development, and evaluation support
• Learn about commercialization pathways , innovation lifecycles, and the unique challenges of advancing community-driven science and technology

Interns will participate in an onboarding period with learning sessions to build foundational knowledge in innovation, impact frameworks, and project expectations.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Supporting program management in planning, executing, and monitoring and tracking the program by the following activities:
  • Planning activities like developing curriculum and pilot program as well as program set-up activities.
  • Logistics of events and meetings.
  • Tracking deliverables, metrics and program data as well as generating status reports, such as compiling needs assessments into reports
  • Conducting surveys and gathering feedback from innovators and other partners
  • Creation of PowerPoint presentations and marketing materials
  • Program communications, for example newsletter
• Assist in compiling and maintaining program documentation, such as pilot progress tracking or translating contact spreadsheets into our CRM.
• Identifying aligned organizations and nonprofits, such as local entities interested in experimenting with our innovations.
• Assisting staff in matching subject matter experts and mentors with our entrepreneurs, as needed.
• Conducting research and data compilation of local impact investors, potential funding sources and other post-program opportunities.
• Writing short articles and stories about the entrepreneurial journey through our programs.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience

• Strong work ethic.
• Proactive, self-starter, with strong time management and organizational skills.
• Passionate about Larta’s mission to foster science and technology innovation for a sustainable planet.
• Interest in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship is preferred.
• Good data analysis skills and in presenting data with charts, graphs, and other tools.
• Strong proficiency in Office 365, specifically Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work well under pressure and simultaneously manage multiple issues and assignments in a fast-paced environment.
• Problem solving attitude, strong team player, and ability to work with others.
• Commitment to internship for at least 6 months; longer commitments welcomed.
• Available to work 15-29 hours per week.
• Strong presentation skills and professional presence.
• Spanish speaking is a plus.

Availability: Immediate

Compensation : Part-time temporary position

Salary : $18.42 per hour

Position : Programs Intern

Location: Hybrid, part-time office attendance in Los Angeles, CA is essential.

Anti-discrimination environment

Larta Institute is committed to providing an accessible, safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for all. Our Anti-Discrimination Policy aims to ensure that all members of the Larta Institute community - including our staff, startup founders, mentors, government officials, industry executives, investors, speakers, sponsors, donors, advisory board members, and other community members - are treated with dignity and respect in an environment culture that is free from harassment, discrimination, violence, and other inappropriate conduct.

We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities, and experience. We believe that it is an essential part of Larta's overall commitment to attract, hire, and develop a strong, talented and diverse workforce. Larta Institute is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination as defined by both California and federal laws.

Disclaimer

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at management’s discretion.