Community Development Internship Jobs in Portland, OR

Job Title: Internship Program Coordinator (Contractor)

Reports to: Executive Director

Position Type: Part-time, independent contractor (20 hours/week)

Duration: June 4 through August 14, 2026. High-level performance in this role can lead to a full-time position.

Location: Portland, OR. In-person role.

Compensation: $25/hour

Overview of the Role

The Internship Program Coordinator is a contract position responsible for leading and managing Word Is Bond's second-year Ambassador internship program. Youth leaders in Word Is Bond are known as Community Ambassadors. This role ensures that young Black men are placed in meaningful, well-supported internship experiences that build professional skills, confidence, and career exposure. This role requires a business professional dress code for all youth leadership meetings and events.

The coordinator will recruit and manage internship host partners, oversee onboarding and training for youth and sites, provide ongoing mentorship and monitoring, and ensure each placement is successful for all parties. This role is ideal for someone who is highly organized, relationship-driven, and passionate about youth development and workforce pathways.

Ambassadors work at their internship sites Monday through Thursday and participate in a master-class workshop on Fridays. The Internship Program Coordinator manages and supports all of these activities.

The Internship Program Coordinator will serve as a mentor, connector, and program lead, helping create a structured, empowering, and culturally responsive internship experience for our second-year Ambassadors.

Strong performance in this role can lead to a full-time role in the fall of 2026.

About Word Is Bond

Word Is Bond is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit leadership incubator for young Black men founded in Portland, OR, in 2017. Our mission statement is, "What if young Black men were empowered to their fullest potential?"

www.wordisbond.org

Highlights of Working with Word Is Bond

• Meaningful Work: Build meaningful relationships with inspiring young Black men, while engaging in conversations and experiences connected to important local and national issues.
• Creativity: Contribute to and design impactful youth programs, workshops, and events that reflect youth voice, cultural relevance, and community needs.
• Social: Connect with a strong network of community leaders, partners, mentors, and organizations across Portland and beyond.
• Mobile: A hybrid-friendly work environment. Engage with youth in community-based settings across the city, with opportunities to travel locally, nationally, and internationally through leadership and cultural programming.
• Grow: Be part of a small, mission-driven team building a growing nonprofit, with opportunities to take on leadership, expand your skills, and grow professionally.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Internship Host Recruitment & Relationship Management

• Place current Word Is Bond youth leaders into internships associated with Word Is Bond's internship program
• Build and maintain strong relationships with host internship sites, including supervisors and organizational partners
• Conduct initial site assessments to ensure that placements meet WIB expectations for safety, learning, and cultural responsiveness
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all internship hosts throughout the summer
• Support youth intern success during the internship by troubleshooting challenges, including transportation, workload, and more
• Coordinate and support Friday Masterclass workshops, including speaker outreach and logistics planning
• Evaluate participants' progress throughout the internship using pre- and post-program evaluations and in-person check-ins
• Help plan, coordinate, and lead the end-of-summer program community showcase

Onboarding, Training & Program Preparation

• Develop and facilitate onboarding for second-year Ambassadors, including expectations, workplace readiness, and professional skills
• Provide orientation and support to internship hosts, ensuring clarity around roles, responsibilities, and communication protocols
• Create and maintain internship documentation, agreements, and placement records
• Coordinate schedules, placement assignments, and logistics for all internship participants

Youth Mentorship, Monitoring & Support

• Manage and support a cohort of up to 15 second-year Ambassadors in internship placements
• Conduct regular check-ins with youth to monitor progress, address challenges, and celebrate wins
• Provide mentorship, coaching, and problem-solving support to ensure youth feel confident and prepared
• Foster a safe, supportive environment through strong relationship-building and consistent communication

Site Visits & Ongoing Communication

• Conduct regular site visits to observe youth performance, support host supervisors, and ensure placements remain aligned with expectations
• Facilitate ongoing communication between WIB, youth, and host organizations
• Address concerns or conflicts promptly, ensuring both youth and host sites remain in good standing
• Document site visit notes, progress updates, and any needed follow-up actions

Program Coordination & Operations

• Track attendance, hours, and engagement for all internship participants
• Maintain organized records, including evaluations, agreements, and progress documentation
• Support end-of-summer presentations, reflections, or culminating events
• Assist with data collection and reporting related to internship outcomes

Qualifications & Experience

• 2-3 years of experience in youth development, workforce development, education, or community-based programming preferred
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of lived and professional experience
• Understanding of Black liberation frameworks and history, youth power building, and/or experience working within racial justice movements is highly desired
• Strong relationship-building skills with both youth and professional partners
• Experience coordinating internships, workforce programs, or employer partnerships strongly preferred
• Excellent communication, organization, and follow-through
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, community-based environment
• Comfort navigating culturally diverse environments and supporting young Black men in professional settings

Other Requirements

• Maintain a valid driver's license and a strong, safe driving record
• Ability to pass federal and state background checks required for work with minors

Education

Word Is Bond values both formal education and lived experience. Candidates with a range of educational and professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The most important qualification is the ability to effectively mentor, guide, and support young Black men in their development.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter through our Workable recruitment platform to be considered.

Word Is Bond is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law.