What are the responsibilities and job description for the 2026 Winter Diversify Internships position at Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District?
Diversify Internships
Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (THPRD) is firmly committed to fostering an inclusive environment that is representative of the community we serve through embracing employees from varied backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. The Diversify Internship Program aims to magnify the lens of those whose journey has been impacted by race/ethnicity, LGBTQ identities, experiences with a disability, and other identities.
We take pride in offering internship opportunities that explore a wide range of career possibilities within the field of parks and recreation. Our goal is to create an inclusive learning, working, and networking environment for all interns.
Winter 2026 Internship Cohort | January 12 – March 20, 2026
We’re excited to offer the following four (4) internship opportunities:
Exercise Science Intern
Come learn and work in THPRD’s Fitness Program! The fitness program offers personal training, 200 aquatic and land group fitness classes, and specialty programs such as adaptive, older adult fitness, and community-based initiatives. Support specialty exercise programs like REVIVE and fitness programming at Elsie Stuhr Center. Work on exercise screenings like senior fitness assessments and functional motor screenings. Work in our personal training and group fitness program - shadowing trainers, working on exercise/class programs. Support youth and teen fitness classes. Ideal for those pursuing degrees or those who have interest in Fitness & Wellness, Health Sciences, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Health Promotion, Physical Education, etc.
Community Gardens Technician Intern
We are seeking a self-motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our Community Gardens team! The Community Gardens Program Technician Intern will play a key role in supporting the care and oversight of 17 community garden sites across the district. This position combines both field and desk-based work, offering hands-on experience in sustainable land management, public engagement, and community program operations. Ideal for those pursuing degrees or have interest in Horticulture, Landscape Design, Botany, Biology, etc.
Nature Center Intern
Looking to gain experience and build your skills in a way that matches your interests? Join us as a Nature Center Intern! You’ll have the chance to focus on one or more areas that interest you, such as: Leading marketing projects like promotions and social media. Supporting our preschool program with administrative tasks like compliance tracking and data entry. Helping create and upload staff trainings into NEOGOV. Assisting with the Nature Mobile as we bring nature programs out into the community. Tackling a special organization project by helping reorganize our storage area and design new systems for efficiency. You don’t need to do everything — your internship will be tailored to your strengths and goals. This is a great opportunity to grow your communication, organization, and leadership skills while making a difference in your community. Ideal for those pursuing degrees or have interest in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Biology, Recreation Management, Education, Communications, Marketing, etc.
THRIVE (After-School Program) Intern
The THRIVE intern will get to learn and work within our high-quality afterschool care program at Garden Home Recreation Center. THPRD provides a well-rounded, active program for kids of all abilities. Children take part in arts and craft projects, physical activities, cooking, enrichment activities and supervised homework time. Students are led in a group community service project. As part of this internship, you'll have the opportunity to assist in leading activities, behavior tracking, transportation, data entry, enhancing curriculum materials and so much more to earn practical experience in youth, education, and recreation programming. Ideal for those pursuing degrees or those who have interest in Elementary Education, Education, Psychology, Social Work, Early Childhood Development, etc.
Click here to learn more about these opportunities and to view the full job description.
Scheduling
These internships are budgeted for 10 weeks and up to 24 hours per week or 240 hours total over the course of the internship. The district will work with interns to develop a schedule that works around their current class schedule. Hours will vary depending on the program’s needs and may include weekend days and evenings. Part-time employees are scheduled variable hours and may work less than 1,560 hours per year.
Qualifications
Typical job duties vary based on the program area and include both administrative and field experience interacting with patrons to:
The district also provides a bilingual pay incentive to paid interns who regularly use their bilingual or multilingual skills!
Previous experience in the focus area is desired, but not required. Successful candidates will bring a basic understanding of:
Please follow THPRD on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram to learn more about our organization.
Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (THPRD) is firmly committed to fostering an inclusive environment that is representative of the community we serve through embracing employees from varied backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. The Diversify Internship Program aims to magnify the lens of those whose journey has been impacted by race/ethnicity, LGBTQ identities, experiences with a disability, and other identities.
We take pride in offering internship opportunities that explore a wide range of career possibilities within the field of parks and recreation. Our goal is to create an inclusive learning, working, and networking environment for all interns.
Winter 2026 Internship Cohort | January 12 – March 20, 2026
We’re excited to offer the following four (4) internship opportunities:
Exercise Science Intern
Come learn and work in THPRD’s Fitness Program! The fitness program offers personal training, 200 aquatic and land group fitness classes, and specialty programs such as adaptive, older adult fitness, and community-based initiatives. Support specialty exercise programs like REVIVE and fitness programming at Elsie Stuhr Center. Work on exercise screenings like senior fitness assessments and functional motor screenings. Work in our personal training and group fitness program - shadowing trainers, working on exercise/class programs. Support youth and teen fitness classes. Ideal for those pursuing degrees or those who have interest in Fitness & Wellness, Health Sciences, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Health Promotion, Physical Education, etc.
Community Gardens Technician Intern
We are seeking a self-motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our Community Gardens team! The Community Gardens Program Technician Intern will play a key role in supporting the care and oversight of 17 community garden sites across the district. This position combines both field and desk-based work, offering hands-on experience in sustainable land management, public engagement, and community program operations. Ideal for those pursuing degrees or have interest in Horticulture, Landscape Design, Botany, Biology, etc.
Nature Center Intern
Looking to gain experience and build your skills in a way that matches your interests? Join us as a Nature Center Intern! You’ll have the chance to focus on one or more areas that interest you, such as: Leading marketing projects like promotions and social media. Supporting our preschool program with administrative tasks like compliance tracking and data entry. Helping create and upload staff trainings into NEOGOV. Assisting with the Nature Mobile as we bring nature programs out into the community. Tackling a special organization project by helping reorganize our storage area and design new systems for efficiency. You don’t need to do everything — your internship will be tailored to your strengths and goals. This is a great opportunity to grow your communication, organization, and leadership skills while making a difference in your community. Ideal for those pursuing degrees or have interest in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Biology, Recreation Management, Education, Communications, Marketing, etc.
THRIVE (After-School Program) Intern
The THRIVE intern will get to learn and work within our high-quality afterschool care program at Garden Home Recreation Center. THPRD provides a well-rounded, active program for kids of all abilities. Children take part in arts and craft projects, physical activities, cooking, enrichment activities and supervised homework time. Students are led in a group community service project. As part of this internship, you'll have the opportunity to assist in leading activities, behavior tracking, transportation, data entry, enhancing curriculum materials and so much more to earn practical experience in youth, education, and recreation programming. Ideal for those pursuing degrees or those who have interest in Elementary Education, Education, Psychology, Social Work, Early Childhood Development, etc.
Click here to learn more about these opportunities and to view the full job description.
Scheduling
These internships are budgeted for 10 weeks and up to 24 hours per week or 240 hours total over the course of the internship. The district will work with interns to develop a schedule that works around their current class schedule. Hours will vary depending on the program’s needs and may include weekend days and evenings. Part-time employees are scheduled variable hours and may work less than 1,560 hours per year.
Qualifications
Typical job duties vary based on the program area and include both administrative and field experience interacting with patrons to:
- Perform a wide variety of work duties and responsibilities based on assignment, academic coursework, and/or degree program.
- Conduct research and analysis; prepares project reports, progress summaries, spreadsheets, and other written materials.
- Assist in the development and delivery of program materials and program area activities.
- Schedules and facilitates meetings with staff, (which may be indoors, outdoors and/or virtually) as needed to accomplish project goals.
- Perform data entry. Prepare and/or proofread a variety of forms, letters, flyers, promotional materials, etc.
- Research policies, procedures, guidelines, and standards; identifies opportunities for improvement and makes recommendations.
- Assist in promoting positive public relations and customer service for various programs, services, or activities. Attend and participate in staff meetings, trainings, and workshops.
- Participate in various phases of a planned training and evaluation of the internship program.
The district also provides a bilingual pay incentive to paid interns who regularly use their bilingual or multilingual skills!
Previous experience in the focus area is desired, but not required. Successful candidates will bring a basic understanding of:
- Software and computer operations
- Written and verbal communication
- Basic math skills
- An interest in fitness, recreation, or community programs
Please follow THPRD on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram to learn more about our organization.