Grassroots Organizing Intern

Grassroots Organizing Intern Description – Summer 2026

About Oregon Wild:

Oregon Wild is a non-profit organization with a mission to protect and restore Oregon's wildlands, wildlife, and waters as an enduring legacy for future generations. Founded in 1974, Oregon Wild’s victories include safeguarding nearly 1.8 million acres of Wilderness and 2,200 miles of Wild & Scenic Rivers through federal legislation, protecting hundreds of thousands of acres of old-growth forests, and the preservation and recovery of numerous endangered species, from Coho salmon to gray wolves. Oregon Wild enjoys a national reputation as a pioneering organization that is both highly strategic and effective, with strong policy expertise.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion:

Oregon Wild is committed to building a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive organization and society, and we are actively recruiting and encouraging applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and communities to apply for this position. Important voices have been missing from the environmental movement for far too long, and building a stronger, more just, and more inclusive community starts by creating a more welcoming environment within Oregon and Oregon Wild. Our organization believes that by embracing, respecting, and valuing individuals regardless of their race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or ancestry, we can become a stronger, more effective defender of Oregon’s wildlands, wildlife, and waters. Read more about our organizational values here.

General Position Summary:

Oregon Wild is seeking a motivated, organized, and creative intern to support Rabble Rouser 2026 and the Wild Ones program, two complementary initiatives that build people power, community, and skills for environmental and democratic advocacy.

Rabble Rouser is a one-day activist training event designed to energize participants and provide practical tools for taking action. Attendees learn how to organize campaigns, engage their communities, advocate for public lands, and protect democratic values. The event combines hands-on workshops, skill-building sessions, and inspiring keynotes to help participants turn outrage into effective, coordinated action.

Wild Ones is Oregon Wild’s ongoing activist program that helps participants sharpen their skills, deepen connections, and sustain engagement beyond one-time events. Wild Ones provides year-round training, volunteer opportunities, and community-building activities that allow members to plug into campaigns on forests, climate, and social justice. The program emphasizes multiple ways for people to get involved, meeting participants where they are while helping them grow into more experienced and connected advocates.

As an intern supporting these programs, you will help plan and promote Rabble Rouser, coordinate community-building events like a Wild Ones meet-up, assist with ongoing Wild Ones programming, and gather feedback to inform future trainings. You will gain hands-on experience in grassroots organizing, event coordination, community engagement, and campaign strategy, while seeing first-hand how an environmental advocacy organization connects passionate people to meaningful action.

Position Responsibilities

Rabble Rouser Event Organizing (50%)

• Supporting planning and coordination for Rabble Rouser 2026, including timelines, run-of-show documents, and logistics
• Coordinate and support multi-channel event promotion, including outreach to community groups and partner organizations, postings on community calendars, and in-person outreach such as flyering neighborhoods and local businesses, often in coordination with volunteers.
• Assisting with outreach and recruitment of speakers, facilitators, partner organizations, and volunteers
• Assisting with day-of event support, including registration, facilitation support,  troubleshooting, and other needs as they arise
• Helping collect feedback and evaluate the event to inform future organizing and programming
• Supporting follow-up pathways that connect participants to ongoing programs like Wild Ones

Wild Ones Meet-Up / Community-Building Event (25%)

• Plan and coordinate a pre-Rabble Rouser Wild Ones meet-up to connect current and prospective members
• Promote the gathering via email, social media, and partner networks
• Organize light networking activities or icebreakers to encourage connections
• Support on-site logistics and documentation
• Track participant engagement and interest for follow-up

Ongoing Wild Ones Program Support (25%)

• Assist with planning and coordination of regular Wild Ones activities (trainings, workshops, events)
• Maintain participant lists, track engagement, and support new member onboarding
• Draft communications, including newsletters, email updates, and social media content
• Support outreach to new audiences and community groups to grow Wild Ones membership
• Assist with volunteer coordination and coalition relationship management
• Gather feedback from members and prospective participants to identify training topics, skill-building needs,  engagement opportunities, and barriers to participation.

Qualifications

• Current junior or senior in college, or recent graduate (or equivalent experience), age 16 or older and legally able to work in the United States
• A passion for protecting and restoring Oregon’s wildlands, wildlife, and waters.
• Interest in environmental advocacy, grassroots organizing, or social movements
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple tasks independently
• Comfortable engaging with diverse communities and volunteers
• Experience with event planning, outreach, or organizing is a plus
• Must have reliable transportation

Wages:

This is a temporary, part-time, non-exempt internship (30 hours/week) starting May 2026 and continuing through at least August 25, 2026, with slight flexibility for the final day depending on the intern’s schedule and time needed to wrap up tasks. The position is based in Portland, OR and pays $20/hour.

The schedule is hybrid, with in-person work expected on Tuesdays and the flexibility to work remotely on other weekdays, except for events requiring on-site attendance. Evening and weekend hours may be required to support Rabble Rouser, Wild Ones gatherings, and other program activities.

The intern will report to the Grassroots Campaign Coordinator and gain hands-on experience in grassroots organizing, community engagement, and event coordination.

To Apply: Please fill out this linked form and separately submit a cover letter and resume consolidated into a single PDF or Word document to cfinternjob@oregonwild.org by the closing date of January 30, 2026.

Review of completed applications will begin on January 19th and continue until the position is filled.