Application Guide

How to Apply for Program and Operations Assistant

at The Health and Reentry Project

🏢 About The Health and Reentry Project

The Health and Reentry Project (HARP) is a national nonprofit uniquely focused on improving healthcare access for individuals leaving incarceration. Working here means contributing to social justice and public health at a systemic level, with a small team that values collaboration and impact.

About This Role

As Program and Operations Assistant, you'll be the backbone of HARP's daily operations, managing executive schedules, coordinating meetings, and supporting logistics for events. Your work directly enables the team to focus on technical assistance and policy change, making you essential to the mission.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day starts with checking emails and Asana tasks, then updating executive calendars and resolving scheduling conflicts. Mid-morning, you might coordinate logistics for an upcoming virtual advisory board meeting, including sending Zoom links and preparing materials. After lunch, you could support a team member with travel booking for an in-person site visit, then end the day by organizing shared drive files and documenting operational procedures.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who The Health and Reentry Project Is Looking For

  • Has 3+ years of administrative/operations experience, ideally in nonprofit, policy, or government settings, understanding the nuances of working with states and advocacy organizations.
  • Excels at juggling multiple calendars and logistics for virtual and in-person events, with proven experience using Asana or similar project management tools.
  • Communicates professionally and discreetly, comfortable interacting with diverse stakeholders including formerly incarcerated individuals, government officials, and healthcare providers.
  • Is self-motivated and thrives in a remote environment, able to proactively identify needs and improve operational processes without direct supervision.

📝 Tips for Applying to The Health and Reentry Project

1

Tailor your resume to highlight experience with scheduling, travel planning, and project management tools—use specific examples like 'managed 5+ executive calendars' or 'coordinated 10 virtual events'.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly mention your familiarity with Asana, Zoom, and Google Suite, and how you've used them to streamline operations.

3

Show your understanding of HARP's mission by referencing reentry healthcare or criminal justice reform—even a brief mention of why this work matters to you.

4

If you have experience with sensitive information (e.g., HIPAA, legal documents), highlight that to demonstrate discretion.

5

Submit your application as a PDF with a clean format; ensure your LinkedIn profile matches your resume and includes relevant keywords.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Emphasize your organizational superpowers: give a concrete example of managing complex schedules or events with multiple stakeholders.', "Connect your past experience to HARP's mission—explain how your operational support helped advance a social impact goal.", 'Highlight your comfort with remote work and independent problem-solving, as this role requires self-direction.', 'Mention any familiarity with criminal justice or healthcare policy, even if tangential, to show genuine interest.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read HARP's website thoroughly, especially their 'Our Work' page to understand their technical assistance model and key projects.
  • → Look up recent news or publications about healthcare for incarcerated individuals—HARP's LinkedIn often shares relevant articles.
  • → Search for HARP's leadership team on LinkedIn to understand their backgrounds and the organization's culture.
  • → Review HARP's blog or annual report to see how they measure impact and communicate with stakeholders.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How do you prioritize conflicting scheduling requests from multiple executives? Walk us through your process.
2 Describe a time you coordinated a virtual event with technical difficulties—how did you handle it?
3 How do you maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive information about stakeholders?
4 What experience do you have with Asana or similar tools? How have you used them to improve team efficiency?
5 Why are you interested in working at HARP specifically, and what do you know about reentry healthcare challenges?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't submit a generic cover letter—HARP is mission-driven, and failing to mention their specific focus on reentry healthcare will signal disinterest.
  • Avoid overselling your technical skills without examples—saying 'proficient in Asana' is weak; instead, describe a project you managed with it.
  • Don't ignore the remote aspect—if you're not experienced working independently, acknowledge how you stay productive and communicate asynchronously.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to The Health and Reentry Project!

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