Arts Operations & Data Associate

Lucky Jefferson is seeking a detail-oriented youth employee to support the digital operations and data systems that power our publishing work. This grant-funded position through the Illinois Arts Council's Youth Employment in the Arts (YEA) program offers hands-on experience in arts operations, digital systems management, and nonprofit publishing.

This is an excellent opportunity for a young person interested in developing practical skills in data management, digital organization, and arts administration while contributing to meaningful work in the literary and publishing community.

Responsibilities

Data Organization & Management:

• Review, sort, and categorize existing publisher data, including files, project details, and records
• Identify duplicates or outdated information and recommend appropriate actions
• Input missing or new information into relevant systems with attention to accuracy and detail
• Regularly update databases or digital archives to keep records current
• Help set up and organize digital systems or tools for managing publisher data effectively (e.g., folders, databases, spreadsheets)
• Ensure all data is accurately labeled, stored, and easily accessible to the team
• Work with the team to identify inefficiencies in current data systems
• Suggest and implement improvements for smoother workflows
• Communicate progress and challenges with supervisors through regular check-ins
• Assist in creating reference guides or notes for team members on how to use updated systems
• Collaborate with staff to better understand the publisher's processes and goals
• Participate in team discussions about operational improvements
• Handle sensitive information with discretion and follow confidentiality guidelines
• Maintain detailed work logs using our project tracking system
• Demonstrate reliability and professionalism in a remote work environment

Qualifications

Required:

1. Ages 14-22 at time of hiring
2. Based in Illinois or the Chicago area
3. Reliable internet access and personal computer
4. Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
5. Ability to work independently in a remote environment
6. If under 18: Must obtain work permit and parental consent before starting

Preferred:

1. Comfortable working with digital files, spreadsheets, and/or databases (experience not required; willingness to learn is key!)
2. Good written and verbal communication skills
3. Interest in arts, publishing, nonprofit work, or data management
4. Self-motivated with good time management skills

What You'll Gain

💰 Money Money Money

• $17/hour (way above minimum wage!)
• Paid every two weeks
• Approximately $2,040 total over the summer

📈 Useful Skills

• Data organization and digital systems (employers LOVE this)
• Project management experience
• Professional communication skills
• Remote work experience (the future of work!)

🎯 Build Your Future

• Portfolio piece you can show colleges/future jobs
• Professional references from real industry people
• LinkedIn-worthy experience
• Insight into nonprofit and publishing careers

✨ The Intangibles

• Work on something that actually matters (supporting BIPOC artists and writers)
• Flexible summer schedule
• Learn from people who get it
• Add "Published in arts nonprofit operations" to your resume
• Up your ‘rizz

Work Environment

• Fully remote - work from anywhere in Illinois
• Flexible schedule - 12 hours/week on your time (we'll work around school, activities, etc.)
• Real mentorship - regular check-ins with experienced publishing pros via Zoom/Google Meet/Discord
• Collaborative culture - our whole team is remote, so we know how to make it work
• Learning-focused - questions are always welcome, mistakes are how we grow
• Stay connected - we use project management tools, Slack/email, and regular video calls

Follow us: @luckyjefferson on all platforms to see what we're about!

Work Schedule

• Start Date: Early-Mid June 2026
• End Date: Mid-Late August 2026
• Total Duration: 10 weeks
• Weekly Hours: 12 hours (schedule flexible within business hours, determined with supervisor)
• Total Commitment: Approximately 120 hours over the summer

How to Apply

Send us an email at programs@luckyjefferson.com with:

• Tell us about yourself (however you want - write it out, send a voice note, record a quick video, make a slide deck - your choice!)
• Why this role interests you
• Any experience with organizing stuff (digital or physical - school projects, personal systems, anything counts!)
• What you hope to learn

Show us something you've organized (optional but helpful!):

• Screenshot of a folder system, spreadsheet, Notion board, etc.
• Before/after of anything you reorganized
• Any project that shows attention to detail
• If under 18: Quick note that your parent/guardian knows you're applying

Subject Line: Arts Ops & Data Associate - [Your Name]

…

That's it! No formal cover letter needed. Just be yourself and show us you're interested.

Application Deadline: February 15, 2026

Questions? Email programs@luckyjefferson.com or DM @luckyjefferson on Instagram

Selection Timeline

• Applications close: February 15, 2026
• Review applications: February 16-21, 2026
• Skills assessment: February 24-28, 2026 (top candidates will be invited to complete a short paid task - $50 for 3 hours of work)
• Decision & offer: Early March 2026
• Onboarding: April-May 2026
• Work begins: June 2026

Our process:

We're not big on traditional interviews. After reviewing applications, we'll invite our most promising candidates to complete a small paid project that's similar to the actual work (like organizing a sample set of files or creating a simple tracking system). This shows us your skills way better than an interview, and you get paid for your time!

About LJ

Lucky Jefferson publishes social change. We use art to enact a different world tomorrow than we know today. Since our founding in 2018 and our transition to a 501(c)(3) in 2021, we have mobilized BIPOC writers and artists by providing new spaces and methods for publication and inviting them to actively reshape the arts landscape to reflect their voices, experiences, and visions for the future.

This position is funded by the Illinois Arts Council's Youth Employment in the Arts (YEA) Grant. Lucky Jefferson is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members.