Little SMYALs Intern

SMYAL is seeking a motivated youth leader passionate about supporting and empowering LGBTQ+ youth. All year-long Youth Interns are between 18 and 24 years old. Interns are provided with access to professional development opportunities while assisting the SMYAL team with crucial administrative and programmatic tasks, as well as having the opportunity to contribute to SMYAL’s decision making and growth. The intern will have the opportunity to strengthen other skills they have previously specified as an area of interest, such as activism, social media management, fundraising, etc.

The Little SMYALs Youth Intern assists the Little SMYALs Programs Manager and Coordinator with the planning and implementation of the Little SMYALs program. The program is designed for LGBTQ+ youth ages 6-13. This will be a 12 month, paid, part-time internship for up to 20 hours per week, with some nights and weekends required. The Intern must be available during Little SMYALs programming times: currently virtual Wednesdays 5-7pm EST and in-person 2 Saturdays a month from 9:00am-3:30pm. The remaining hours will be determined together between the Intern and Manager. The Intern must also be available for weekly staff and team meetings, and weekly check-in meetings with the Manager. This position works both virtually and in-person at our main offices, located in Washington, DC, with an anticipated start in late January 2026. 

Internship Responsibilities: 

• Attend and co-facilitate Little SMYALs programs– currently including weekly virtual programs on Wednesday and twice monthly in-person programs on Saturday mornings. 
• Assist Little SMYALs Programs Manager with activity planning and event preparations.
• Support the planning and implementation of SMYAL’s day camp in July/August.
• Support classroom visits and school engagements with local elementary and middle schools.
• Manage communications with registered participant families through our digital registration portal.
• Develop outreach and recruitment strategies for virtual and in person tactics; support school visits and other outreach campaigns.
• Assist Little SMYALs Programs Manager in overseeing other volunteer youth for the duration of their time with SMYAL.
• Data entry, using Google Suite and our member portal. 
• Attend SMYAL’s youth and donor events upon request.
• Attend and participate in monthly and weekly all-staff and team meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Meaningful engagement opportunities with LGBTQ+ youth, as well as practice with youth facilitation and activity planning
• Training in leadership skills, advocacy, and positive youth development
• Opportunities to provide input into SMYAL’s decision making
• Access to lectures, webinars, summits, and / or conferences
• Professional networking opportunities in the nonprofit sphere

Desired  Qualifications:

Specific prior experience is not required to apply

• Youth Interns must be between 18 and 24 years old
• Interns must be located in the DC area, including during June and July to support in-person Pride and camp programming
• Prior experience working with youth ages 6-13 (tutoring, mentoring, sports, arts programs, camp, babysitting, etc.)
• Interest in, or prior experience, working or volunteering in non-profit and/or educational settings
• Excitement to share personal hobbies and talents with youth (art, music, books, theater, games, etc.)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; Comfort facilitating group discussions
• Ability to navigate multiple projects/responsibilities and deadlines 
• Excited to be part of a team and work collaboratively
• Knowledge about queer and trans youth communities, intersectional frameworks, and knowledge of youth development framework highly desired
• Must be sensitive to issues of identity, including race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Must demonstrate a commitment to advancing racial justice and gender equity.
• Queer and trans individuals, women, people of color, and people of all abilities are strongly encouraged to apply

Applicants may submit a resume and cover letter via SMYAL’s online platform. Resumes will be reviewed as they are received.
Please apply no later than January 11th, 2026. Pay is $19 per hour. No phone calls, please. This position works both virtually and in person at our main offices, located in Washington, DC,
with an anticipated start in late January or early February 2026.

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. SMYAL believes in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as bringing your authentic self to the workplace. So if you are excited about this position but your past experiences do not align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyways! You may be just the right person for this or other positions.

SMYAL supports and empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth in the Washington, DC metropolitan region. Through youth leadership, SMYAL creates opportunities for LGBTQ youth to build self-confidence, develop critical life skills, and engage their peers and community through service and advocacy. Committed to social change, SMYAL builds, sustains and advocates for programs, policies and services that LGBTQ youth need as they grow into adulthood.