Jobs 253

Jobs 253 experiences are organized into sessions throughout the year, giving students and families clear timelines for participation and payment of stipends. 

Each experience begins and ends within the same session, making it easier to plan around school, activities, and other commitments.

Our Jobs 253 Session schedule is as follows:

Session 1: September 1 – November 15
Session 2: December 1 – January 30 
Session 3: February 9 – April 3
Session 4: April 20 – June 26 
Session 5: July 7 - September 1

Students can sign up for opportunities that fit their schedules, knowing exactly when experiences start, when requirements are due, and when stipend payments will be made. 

Students can view the current session's Jobs 253 Experiences on our Jobs 253 Opportunities page.

view Current Jobs 253 Openings

Note: Stipend payout depends upon the completion of student requirements within their experience session. If requirements are not met by the end of their session, their stipend will be pushed to the next available stipend payment window.

Jobs 253 provides Tacoma Public Schools high school students the chance to gain real-world work experience, mentorship and hands-on exposure, earn high school credit, and receive a $500 stipend for completing program requirements -- all while building skills that last a lifetime.

What You’ll Gain

• .5 elective high school credit toward graduation
• Up to a $500 academic completion bonus (funded by the City of Tacoma)
• Work readiness skills: resume writing, interviewing, and professional habits
• Confidence, growth, and career exploration

Important Notes

• Students who haven’t yet completed a Jobs 253 experience are prioritized for placement.
• Jobs 253 holds a limit of 3 of experiences or $1,500 accumulated stipend funds per student throughout their high school career. 
• Students must be logged in with their TPS district email for registration and document uploading.

Students must complete and upload the following documents via the upload links listed below to qualify for their credit and stipend at the end of their experience:

1. Completed W9: a completed W9 form with student's full legal name and social security number. This is the most important document, as it is what the City of Tacoma needs to pay your stipend.
2. Experience Reflection Form: Use our Jobs 253 Reflection Template to tell us how we are doing, what could be improved upon, and what skills you are walking away with from your Jobs 253 experience!
3. Resume: A well-crafted resume can help you stand out when applying for jobs, internships, or college applications. Check out our guide for creating a compelling resume
4. Everfi Financial Literacy Certificate: complete the EverFi Financial Literacy Course (you can locate the EverFi app through your Clever Portal) and upload the certificate of completion.

W9 UPLOADREFLECTION UPLOADRESUME UPLOADEVERFI UPLOAD

It is the student's responsibility to complete any requirements and upload documents appropriately. Failure to satisfy these requirements may impact their program eligibility. Students are limited to a maximum of three Jobs 253 experiences during their academic career.

To maximize your success in programming, it is imperative that students check their district-provided email account daily for critical updates, requirements, and communication from program supervisors.

Jobs 253 stipends are funded and distributed by the City of Tacoma, which is why each student must complete a W-9 form before starting their experience.

Because the City issues payments directly to students, we strongly encourage students to open a free Student Gesa Credit Union account (in partnership with Tacoma Public Schools) to easily deposit their mailed check.

Stipends are processed based on the session schedule, when student requirements are completed, and when the experience concludes. Payments are typically issued 4–6 weeks after the experience ends and all requirements are met

While the stipend serves as an exciting bonus, Jobs 253’s true focus is on the mentorship, skill development, and hands-on learning experience that helps prepare students for their future careers.

Becoming a Jobs 253 employer partner starts with registering your experience through our online form. This helps Tacoma Public Schools align your opportunity with the right students and ensure all required details are in place before the session begins.

Jobs 253 operates on a five-session annual schedule, providing structure and predictability for both employers and students:

• Session 1: September 15 – November 15 

• Session 2: December 1 – January 30

• Session 3: February 9 – April 3 

• Session 4: April 20 – June 26 

• Session 5 (Summer Break): July 6 – September 1 
   

EMPLOYER PARTNER REGISTRATION 

All experiences must start and end within the same session, and we ask that partners register their opportunities one session prior to the desired start date. This timeline allows the Jobs 253 team to promote your experience to students, manage interviews and placements, and complete all required documentation.

After registration, employer partners will work with the Jobs 253 Coordinator and the Tacoma Public Schools Legal Department to develop a formal contract that outlines the scope of work, expectations, and supervision responsibilities. This agreement also includes the necessary insurance and liability language to ensure all parties (student, employer, and district) are protected throughout the experience.

Employer Partners: Invest in Tacoma’s Future Workforce

Participating in Tacoma Public Schools’ Jobs 253 program offers businesses a unique opportunity to invest in the future workforce while benefiting from fresh perspectives and eager talent. Employers gain access to motivated high school interns who bring energy, creativity, and a willingness to learn, contributing meaningfully to real-world projects and operational needs.

Jobs 253 is not a staffing agency. It is a mentorship-driven learning experience that helps students explore possible career pathways, build confidence, and develop essential professional skills. The focus is on creating meaningful connections between students and local employers who are passionate about guiding and inspiring the next generation. Employers may also use this mentorship opportunity to identify strong student talent and promote part-time paid positions once the internship experience concludes.

By partnering with Jobs 253, businesses strengthen their community presence, support local economic growth, and demonstrate a commitment to education and social responsibility. Each partnership helps shape Tacoma’s future workforce while giving students the opportunity to discover their potential and envision a successful future.

Jobs 253 is open to Tacoma Public Schools high school students ages 14–18 who meet eligibility and documentation requirements for the selected experience.

Students may participate in up to three Jobs 253 experiences throughout their high school career or earn a maximum of $1,500 in total stipends, whichever comes first. To ensure equitable access, priority is given to students who have not yet participated in a Jobs 253 experience. While every effort is made to connect interested students with opportunities that match their goals, placement in an experience is not guaranteed and is based on availability, eligibility, and employer selection.

Students typically earn a $500.00 stipend per completed experience after all program requirements are met. These stipends currently come in the form of physical check and are mailed to the address provided in the student application.

Stipend payments are based on when you complete your session and when all required documents are submitted.

To receive your stipend, you must complete:

• W9 Form 

• Updated Resume

• EverFi Financial Literacy Certificate

• Student Experience Reflection Form

If your requirements aren’t submitted by the end of your session, your stipend will roll into the next payment window once all items are received.

Once all items are received, it can take 4-6 weeks to process and mail out payment due to IRS verification and USPS delivery times. If any issues arise with receiving your check/stipend, please reach out to the Jobs 253 Coordinator.

Students can browse open opportunities on the Jobs 253 website and apply directly through the linked application form. You must be logged into your student account to submit the application.

Applications are reviewed for basic requirements, and then students are connected via email to the employer partner for further interview and selection.

Yes! Jobs 253 experiences are designed to fit around school schedules, with the majority of experiences occurring after school or on weekends. 

Jobs 253 experiences are voluntary, which means students are responsible for their own transportation to and from their worksites. While Tacoma Public Schools does not provide transportation, TPS students ride Pierce Transit for free, a great option for getting to your experience safely and on time.

Students develop career and life skills such as communication, teamwork, professionalism, accountability, financial literacy, and time management, in addition to industry specific skills aligned with each experience.

Jobs 253 experiences help students build resumes, gain references, and explore career paths while earning both credit and compensation. This helps set you up for success in the workforce, trade school, or college.