Internship Playground Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Who We Are: KABOOM! is a national nonprofit committed to ensuring that every kid, in every community, has an amazing place to play. Our mission is to end playspace inequity - the reality that playspaces are not available to every child, especially in communities of color. We unite with communities to build kid-designed playspaces that can spark joy and foster a sense of belonging for the kids who are often denied opportunities to thrive.
About the Project Management Team: The Project Management Team partners with communities to design, plan and build a playground through a community mobilization effort. KABOOM! and community members will work together for three months to: engage kids in the playground design, form a planning committee, and to host a 3-day, volunteer playground installation event, engaging 150-200 volunteers.
About the Role: KABOOM! is seeking an intern who is a college student, recent graduate, graduate student, or an individual actively engaged in a structured learning or workforce development program to join our dynamic Project Management team. The Project Management intern would directly support playground installation events across the country. Over the 4-month position, you would travel across the country to partner with community members and corporate volunteers to build playgrounds. The intern will learn critical skills in event management, volunteer engagement, and recreational construction. A playground build project lasts for 3 days. All travel and meal expenses will be covered by KABOOM! for each project, in addition to the stipend. When not traveling, the intern would work a minimum of 3 days a week from the KABOOM! Bethesda office.
What You'll Do:

• Organization and Project Execution - Provide on-site support to the Project Manager during KABOOM! led community playground builds, including the physical preparation and construction of the playground and site amenities.
• Communication - Clearly communicate tasks and responsibilities to volunteers and with the Project Manager
• Knowledge - Learn about playground equipment, play environments, project planning and execution.
• Leadership - Assist with volunteer and event management of playground builds across North America.
• Planning - Assist Project Managers with creating and revising planning documents, including administrative reports.
• Writing and Communications - Prepare written instructions for volunteers regarding installation of playground equipment and construction of other site amenities

What You'll Bring:

• Current enrollment in an accredited college or university (sophomore status or above), recent college graduate, graduate student, or participant in a recognized workforce development, trade, technical, or other accredited learning program.
• Individuals who have recently completed a recognized, accredited learning or workforce development program are also eligible for this internship.
• Excellent organizational skills
• Proactivity and personal initiative to accomplish work and manage challenges
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills
• Ability to work approximately 40+ hours per week
• Housing, outside of official build travel, is not included.
• Ability to travel, via airplane, to playground builds across North America and the ability to work remotely when not on a project site. Ability to drive in unfamiliar environments.
• Must have a valid US driver's license, and either Real ID or Passport

Preferred Skills:

• Area of study relates to the intern opening (Non-profit Management, Communications, Marketing, Construction Management, etc.), strongly preferred
• Interested individuals should be able to effectively manage responsibilities and meet deadlines
• Individual must have the ability to communicate with community members and business partners of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels
• Willingness to engage in productive and challenging work
• Be open and receptive to feedback and learning opportunities
• Interns will conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times, including working in a cooperative manner within a team-oriented environment

Location and Compensation:

• Timing: This is a 4-month internship, starting no later than Aug of 2026
• Location: This position is based in Bethesda, MD
• Stipend: $2,500 per month, in addition to all travel expenses covered when on a project site

Equal Opportunity Statement
Building an inclusive, high-performing team that is diverse across lines of personal identity is integral to our success and we are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. This means we do not discriminate against any job applicant or employee because of their race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This applies to all terms and conditions of employment.
We actively strive and evolve to develop and maintain fully inclusive workspaces. We encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.
Additional Requirements:
Individual has the ability and willingness to build relationships across differences and discuss issues of structural and institutional racism.
Essential Job Functions:
Program Team- "Ability to maintain acceptable standards of conduct and work cooperatively as an effective team member of a diverse and inclusive workforce. Communicates with others, sits, or moves about the office to coordinate work and uses a computer as well as other office equipment as needed. In addition, must be able to travel independently, leading events with extended hours of moving about in various weather conditions and in some circumstances, able to lift or move objects unassisted up to 60 pounds with the ability to operate basic hand tools."
Note: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This job description does not constitute an employee agreement between the employer and the employee; this description is subject to
change by the employer as the needs and requirements of the position change.