Job Training
APPLY NOW FOR PAID FALL INTERNSHIPS!
Who: Youth in grades 9 - 12
When: September 24th, 2025 through November 14th, 2025
Pay (stipend): $111.98 per week ($37.33 per 2-hour shift)
Hours: Average of 6 hours per week
Schedule: Most shifts will take place from 3:30 to 5:30 Mondays through Thursdays. At least one Saturday shift will be scheduled, replacing one or more afterschool shifts.
Primary Work Site: 1832 W. Dean Ave., Spokane, WA 99201, with additional work sites in and around Spokane’s West Central neighborhood
Positions available: 15
What You’ll Do:
Want to get your hands dirty, learn new skills, and make a real difference in your community? Join us for a hands-on, paid internship at River City Youth’s West Central garden. You’ll have fun while building communication and teamwork skills, gaining work experience, and making new friends. As an intern, you’ll:
Learn to grow, care for, and harvest fruits, veggies, flowers, and native plants
Help maintain and improve garden spaces to make them accessible and attractive
Gain hands-on experience working with our beehives
Get your food handlers’ permit and practice cooking and food preservation skills
Assist with free food distribution events, connecting area residents with garden produce
Participate in community events and service projects
Participate in job skills and environmental workshops
Work on a team and make new friends!
Requirements:
No experience needed — just come ready to learn, work hard, and be outside.
High School enrollment — to be considered, you must be enrolled in high school or an equivalent program (e.g. online school, homeschool, or Running Start) for the 2026-27 school year.
Verified Citizenship Or Work Authorization — River City Youth is required to verify that all youth interns are United States citizens or have current, legal authorization to work in the United States. We are required to report this verification to the federal government on the first day of each internship. Verification requires that we directly examine one or more documents on this list: www.uscis.gov/i-9. If you are unsure whether you can provide these documents, we encourage you to contact us and your high school to request support!
Preferred Qualifications:
We are seeking youth in need of a supportive community and belonging after school this fall; we also seek youth who are eager to grow their skills in communication, collaboration, relationship-building, and responsibility. Priority consideration is given to applicants who live in north Spokane neighborhoods and attend north Spokane public schools such as North Central and Rogers High School.
River City Youth is a safe, inclusive workspace for youth of all backgrounds and walks of life. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including those with physical limitations, different identities, or cultural differences.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT ON MONDAY, 9/7/25. SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION BY CLICKING THE BUTTON BELOW!
GETTING READY FOR YOUR INTERVIEW
This video is here to help you prepare for an interview for one of our internship programs.
PAST Internship programs
These past internship program descriptions can give you a sense of what to expect from our job training programs. Reach out to us if you’re curious about their recurrence!
-
Who: Youth ages 13–19 who meet the high school enrollment requirement.
When: July 6th, 2026 through August 22nd, 2026
Pay (stipend): $167.97 per week
Hours: 9 hours per week
Positions available: 15-20
What You’ll Do:
Join River City Youth for a fun and hands-on summer job in our neighborhood garden! As a paid intern, you’ll:
Learn how to grow and take care of fruits, veggies, flowers, and native plants
Help with watering, weeding, and harvesting
Help maintain and improve garden spaces to make them accessible and attractive
Learn about and help care for our bees
Assist with free food distribution events, connecting area residents with garden produce
Get your food handlers’ permit and assist staff and families during cooking workshops
Participate in community events and service projects
Participate in job skills and environmental workshops
Work on a team and make new friends!
Requirements:
No experience needed — just come ready to learn, work hard, and be outside.
High School enrollment — to be considered, you must either:
Be enrolled in high school or an equivalent program (e.g. online school, homeschool, or Running Start) for the 2026-27 school year
Have completed high school or an equivalent program in the 2025-26 school year
W9 Form and I9 Form — all youth interns are required to submit a W9 tax form, which requires you to provide your social security number or IRS ITIN, and demonstrate their employment eligibility as required for an I9 form, which requires you to possess one or more documents on this list: www.uscis.gov/i-9. If you are unsure of your ability to complete these requirements, we encourage you to contact us and request our support!
Preferred Qualifications:
We are seeking youth in need of a supportive community and belonging this summer; we also seek youth who are eager to grow their skills in communication, collaboration, relationship-building, and responsibility. Priority consideration is given to applicants who live and go to school in north Spokane neighborhoods.
River City Youth is a safe, inclusive workspace for youth of all backgrounds and walks of life. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including those with physical limitations, different identities, or cultural differences.
-
Who: Youth ages 14–19 who meet the high school enrollment and past internship requirements.
When: July 1st, 2026 through August 22nd, 2026
Pay (stipend): $206.46 per week
Hours: 10.5 hours per week
Positions available: 5-10
What You’ll Do:
Join River City Youth for a fun and hands-on summer job in our neighborhood garden! As a paid intern lead, you’ll:
Be a model of responsibility, communication, collaboration, and relationship-building who first-time interns can look to for guidance and support.
Lead small teams of interns with watering, weeding, and harvesting
Expand your skills with growing fruits, veggies, flowers, native plants, and bees
Help maintain and improve garden spaces to make them accessible and attractive
Assist with free food distribution events, connecting area residents with garden produce
Assist staff and families during cooking workshops
Participate in community events and service projects
Participate in job skills and environmental workshops
Work on a team and make new friends!
Requirements:
Past Internship — to be considered, you must demonstrate past completion of a River City Youth agriculture internship program within the last two years (since June 2024)
High School enrollment — to be considered, you must either:
Be enrolled in high school or an equivalent program (e.g. online school, homeschool, or Running Start) for the 2026-27 school year
Have completed high school or an equivalent program in the 2025-26 school year
W9 Form and I9 Form — all youth interns are required to submit a W9 tax form, which requires you to provide your social security number or IRS ITIN, and demonstrate their employment eligibility as required for an I9 form, which requires you to possess one or more documents on this list: www.uscis.gov/i-9. If you are unsure of your ability to complete these requirements, we encourage you to contact us and request our support!
Preferred Qualifications:
We are seeking youth in need of a supportive community and belonging this summer. We also seek youth who are eager to use their skills in communication, collaboration, relationship-building, and responsibility to support their coworkers, and develop those skills further. Priority consideration is given to applicants who live and go to school in north Spokane neighborhoods.
River City Youth is a safe, inclusive workspace for youth of all backgrounds and walks of life. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including those with physical limitations, different identities, or cultural differences.
-
Who: Spokane youth in grades 9 - 12
When: April 20 to June 10
Pay (stipend): $37.33 for each 2-hour shift, averaging $111.98 per week
Hours: average 6 hours per week
Schedule: Shifts take place from 3:30 to 5:30 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Two-to-four-hour Saturday shifts are required on some weeks for service projects and events.
Primary Work Site: 1832 W. Dean Ave., Spokane, WA 99201
Positions available: 10 per season
In this internship season, you will:
Learn to transplant vegetable crops and support their growth.
Help us start the Monarch Pathway - a network of pollinator gardens in West Central.
Harvest our first crops of the year.
Gain hands-on experience working with our beehive.
Gain experience serving others at food distribution and community events.
Be part of a supportive team where you can make new friends, learn from each other, and practice leadership.
Requirements
No experience? No problem! We're looking for motivated students who are ready to learn, get their hands dirty, and work outdoors.
Our two requirements are:
You must be enrolled in grades 9-12 in a Spokane school or a similar program (online school, homeschool, Running Start) for the 2025-26 school year.
You must be excited about gaining new skills and being part of a team.
River City Youth is committed to ensuring our internship opportunities are inclusive for all. Youth with disabilities, youth with no job experience, BIPOC youth, young women, and LGBT+ youth are encouraged to apply!
Benefits
Gain real-world work experience and a solid reference to include in your future applications and resumes.
Learn how to manage your money and save for future goals with guidance on budgeting and income management.
Practice core job skills like communication, teamwork, and responsibility in a fun, inclusive environment with your peers.
Build lasting connections in the community while making a difference through your work!
-
Who: Spokane youth in grades 9 - 12
When: February 23 to April 10
Pay (stipend): $37.33 for each 2-hour shift, averaging $111.98 per week
Hours: average 6 hours per week
Schedule: Shifts take place from 3:30 to 5:30 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Two-to-four-hour Saturday shifts are required on some weeks for service projects and events.
Primary Work Site: 1832 W. Dean Ave., Spokane, WA 99201
Positions available: 10 per seasonIn this internship season, you will:
Learn to plant and care for starts in a greenhouse.
Help prepare our garden for the new growing season.
Help install new pathways and planting areas in our garden.
Gain hands-on experience working with our beehive.
Gain experience serving others at food distribution events.
Be part of a supportive team where you can make new friends, learn from each other, and practice leadership.
Requirements
No experience? No problem! We're looking for motivated students who are ready to learn, get their hands dirty, and work outdoors.
Our two requirements are:
You must be enrolled in grades 9-12 in a Spokane school or a similar program (online school, homeschool, Running Start) for the 2025-26 school year.
You must be excited about gaining new skills and being part of a team.
River City Youth is committed to ensuring our internship opportunities are inclusive for all. Youth with disabilities, youth with no job experience, BIPOC youth, young women, and LGBT+ youth are encouraged to apply!
Benefits
Gain real-world work experience and a solid reference to include in your future applications and resumes.
Learn how to manage your money and save for future goals with guidance on budgeting and income management.
Practice core job skills like communication, teamwork, and responsibility in a fun, inclusive environment with your peers.
Build lasting connections in the community while making a difference through your work!
-
Who: Youth in grades 9 - 12
When: September 23rd, 2025 through November 15th, 2025
Pay (stipend): $109.60 per week ($36.30 per 2-hour shift)
Hours: 6 hours per week
Schedule: Typical shifts will take place from 3:30 to 5:30 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, but applicants needing extra time for transportation may request to work from 4 to 6 p.m. in the internship application. At least one Saturday shift will be scheduled, replacing one or more afterschool shifts.
Primary Work Site: 1832 W. Dean Ave., Spokane, WA 99201
Positions available: 10-12
What You’ll Do:
Want to get your hands dirty, learn new skills, and make a real difference in your community? Join us for a hands-on, paid internship at River City Youth’s West Central garden. You’ll have fun while building teamwork skills, gaining work experience, and making new friends. As an intern, you’ll:
Discover how to grow, care for, and harvest fruits, veggies, and flowers — straight from the earth!
Help improve garden spaces by building things like raised beds, rest areas, and signs.
Gain hands-on experience working with our beehive.
Learn cooking and food preservation skills to feed our community.
Use journaling and photography to document our work and share it with the community.
Support exciting community events and connect with local organizations and residents.
Attend job and environmental skills workshops to help you grow in and outside of work.
Be part of a supportive team where you can make new friends and learn from each other.
Requirements:
No experience? No problem! We're looking for motivated students who are ready to learn, get their hands dirty, and work outdoors.
Our two requirements are:
You must be enrolled in grades 9-12 in a Spokane school or a similar program (online school, homeschool, Running Start) for the 2025-26 school year.
You must be excited about gaining new skills and being part of a team.
Benefits
Earn certificates, including a Food Handler’s Permit - proof of skills for future jobs!
Gain real-world work experience and a solid reference to include in your future applications and resumes.
Learn how to manage your money and save for future goals with guidance on budgeting and income management.
Practice core job skills like communication, teamwork, and responsibility in a fun, inclusive environment with your peers.
Build lasting connections in the community while making a difference through your work!
APPLICATIONS CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT ON MONDAY, 9/15/25. SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION BY CLICKING THE REGISTRATION BUTTON: ‘REGISTER FOR FALL INTERNSHIP’ located at the top of this page
-
Summer Agriculture Internship Lead
Who: Youth ages 14–19
When: June 30th, 2025 through August 15th, 2025
Pay (stipend): $215 per week
Hours: 9 hours per week
Positions available: 3-5What You’ll Do:
Join River City Youth for a fun and hands-on summer job in our neighborhood garden! As a paid intern, you’ll:
• Deepen your learning on how to grow and take care of fruits, veggies, and flowers
• Lead small teams of interns with watering, weeding, and harvesting
• Help build and improve garden spaces (like raised beds, fences, and signs)
• Learn about and lead small teams of interns to help care for our bees
• Assist with free food distribution events, connecting area residents with garden produce
• Assist staff and families during cooking workshops
• Participate in community events and service projects
• Participate in job skills and environmental workshops
• Work on a team and make new friends!
Requirements:
To be considered —you must show past completion of a River City Youth agriculture internship program
High School enrollment — to be considered, you must either:
Be enrolled in high school or an equivalent program (e.g. online school, homeschool, or Running Start) for the 2025-26 school year
Have completed high school or an equivalent program in the 2024-25 school year
If you do not have a food handler’s permit, we will need you to get one during your internship!
-
Summer Agriculture Internship
Who: Youth ages 13–19
When: June 30th, 2025 through August 15th, 2025
Pay (stipend): $185 per week
Hours: 9 hours per week
Positions available: 15-17What You’ll Do:
Join River City Youth for a fun and hands-on summer job in our neighborhood garden! As a paid intern, you’ll:
• Learn how to grow and take care of fruits, veggies, and flowers
• Help with watering, weeding, and harvesting
• Help build and improve garden spaces (like raised beds, fences, and signs)
• Learn about and help care for our bees
• Assist with free food distribution events, connecting area residents with garden produce
• Assist staff and families during cooking workshops
• Participate in community events and service projects
• Participate in job skills and environmental workshops
• Work on a team and make new friends!
Requirements:
No experience needed — just come ready to learn, work hard, and be outside.
High School enrollment — to be considered, you must either:
Be enrolled in high school or an equivalent program (e.g. online school, homeschool, or Running Start) for the 2025-26 school year
Have completed high school or an equivalent program in the 2024-25 school year
If you do not have a food handler’s permit, we will need you to get one during your internship!
-
Barista Intern
**This position has been filled but we will have more barista intern opportunities in the future
Location: New Love Coffee , Kendall Yards
Internship Type: Part-Time | Paid $1000/month | Duration: 6 months
Reports to: New Love Coffee Store Lead and River City Youth Executive Director
Positions available: 1About New Love Coffee
At New Love Coffee, we believe in more than just coffee — we believe in community, creativity, and quality. We’re a locally loved coffee shop passionate about crafting great drinks, serving delicious pie, and creating a welcoming space for all. Join our team and gain hands-on experience in specialty coffee service!
About River City Youth
We believe youth have the power to shape their own future. Our mission: to create opportunities for youth enrichment in their neighborhood through community engagement, job training, and education. River City Youth is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Job Summary
We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Barista Intern to join our team. This internship is designed to provide hands-on experience in coffee preparation, customer service, and the day-to-day operations of a busy coffee shop environment. You’ll learn from experienced baristas and gain valuable skills for a future in the hospitality or coffee industry.
Key Responsibilities
Assist in preparing and serving coffee and other beverages to customers
Learn to operate espresso machines and brewing equipment
Support team members with daily coffee shop operations (cleaning, restocking, organizing)
Interact with customers in a friendly and professional manner
Learn cash handling skills and how to operate register and take orders
Follow all health, safety, and sanitation guidelines
Participate in basic barista training and development workshops
Requirements
Passion for coffee and interest in learning about the specialty coffee industry
Positive attitude and willingness to learn
Strong communication and teamwork skills
Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends
Ability to work during Summer and during the 2025-26 school year
Food Handlers Permit
High School junior or senior — to be considered, you must be a junior (11th grade) or senior (12th grade) in the 2025-26 school year, or show equivalence in an alternative high school program.
What You'll Gain
Hands-on experience in a professional coffee shop
Introduction to coffee culture, brewing methods, and latte art basics
Mentorship from experienced baristas and Store Lead
A potential pathway to a permanent barista position
-
The org is looking to revitalize our roots and introduce a youth agricultural program. Youth agricultural education has always been a part of RCYO's foundation, and we're excited to revisit that legacy by launching a new Youth Agricultural Internship this spring. Below are details of the internship as well as the attached promo flyer.
**All spots have been filled for Spring! This paid program running from March to June, will provide hands-on experience for youth ages 14-18 in:
-Greenhouse planting and garden preparation
-Weekly watering and weeding
-Tending to beehives
-Assisting with installation of irrigation systems
-Agriculture job training and mentorship
Why it matters:
For years, our org has recognized the importance of engaging young people in sustainable agriculture. By bringing back this initiative in a new way, we are not only honoring our roots but also investing in the future of our local food systems and environmental stewardship.
If you know of a young person who may be interested, or if you'd like to support this program, please share this page. Thank you for your help in spreading the word!
Interested in joining us? Email us: info@projecthopespokane.org
