Lopez Community Land Trust (LCLT) is a 501c(3) non-profit organization located on Lopez Island in the northwest corner of Washington State. As a community land trust, the organization’s primary purpose is to provide permanently affordable access to land for housing, sustainable agriculture, forestry and cottage industries. LCLT also has the purpose to serve as a model in land stewardship and community development by providing information, resources and expertise. Through this, LCLT offers two structured internships for those interested in construction or sustainable agriculture and community food systems.
LCLT has been building Net-Zero Energy Ready homes since 2008. We take care to build with our environment taken into consideration. As an organization with a 198+ year commitment to affordable housing, we seek to build environmentally responsible homes that will last for generations.
Construction Internship
Construction internships offer the opportunity to combine hands-on learning alongside a professional construction crew. This is not a school setting but an actual construction site and everyone, whether skilled or not, participates in getting the homes built. Depending on timing of internship and construction site, tasks may include foundation prep and concrete work, framing, roofing, air sealing, sheathing, insulating, blocking, finish trim, painting, etc. All teaching is hands-on. There is an occasional classroom session on reading plan sets, budgeting and scheduling, storm water controls as well as opportunities to learn about Lopez Community Land Trust. Workplace safety is essential, and is taught throughout the process.
Responsibilities of interns:
- Begin internship on an agreed upon date and stay with the program for the entire contracted time.
- Construction interns are expected to participate at designated times, 8 hours per day, 4 days a week, for a minimum of six weeks (longer recommended).
- Construction interns also commit to spending one day a week with housing host (see below).
- Commit to completing required tasks and learning related to internship.
- Interns are expected to exhibit initiative and self-motivation, treating housing hosts and all LCLT staff / work crew with respect and professionalism.
- Submit a program evaluation towards the end of your time with LCLT.
- Participate with an attitude of cooperation and willingness to learn.
- Adhere to all policies of LCLT and local laws.
- Project a positive community image.
Housing:
LCLT will locate housing for interns as needed. Housing is generally provided by volunteer hosts who have an extra room or guest housing. This housing is sometimes rustic, including wood-heated cabins, canvas tents or yurts. Other housing may be a room within a house with full amenities. Interns are typically provided a private sleeping space and access to kitchen and bathroom. Interns are required to spend one day per week for their hosts on a variety of projects which may include gardening chores or light home maintenance tasks. This arrangement is mutually agreed upon in advance. LCLT makes every effort to match interns and prospective hosts with complementary lifestyles and expectations. Children and/or pets cannot be accommodated.
Stipend:
Interns receive $200 per week stipend for discretionary food and general expenses.
Dates / Timing
All internships require a minimum six-week commitment with four days per week on site and one day per week with housing host work/trade. LCLT can sometimes accommodate requests for shorter internships but it depends on level of skill and circumstances. 2025 Internships are available February through June.
General Information:
LCLT Internships on Lopez bring you into an intimate setting with many opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty of the San Juan Islands and to experience living in an island community where we depend on and celebrate one another. LCLT interns typically come from many different backgrounds and interests, including college students, people exploring career options or course of study. Past interns have hailed from across the US and 10 different countries (as their visa status allows). If you have an interest in developing a greater knowledge of sustainable living models ranging from net-zero architecture and building, construction management, sustainable agriculture, affordable housing, renewable energy and food security issues please note that in your application so we can arrange additional learning opportunities.
Construction Internships are available based on current construction projects. We are accepting applications now. If you would like to apply for an internship, please email Breton at lclt25@rockisland.com for additional information.
