DHS Internship Opportunities

The Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) is currently accepting applications for a variety of internships for the fall of 2010. With a budget of over $900 million, DHS is a broad umbrella organization responsible for publicly funded human services in Allegheny County, including mental health services, at-risk child development and education, services for older adults, and much more. Formed in 1997, the department is recognized as a national model in the provision of human services.

Internship positions are often available in the four DHS support offices:

• Executive Office 
• Office of Administrative and Information Management Services 
• Office of Community Relations 
• Office of Data Analysis, Research and Evaluation 

Internships may also be available in the five DHS program offices:

• Area Agency on Aging 
• Office of Behavioral Health 
• Office of Children, Youth and Families 
• Office of Community Services 
• Office of Intellectual Disability (formerly MR/DD) 

Interns will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of projects depending on their skill sets, area of study, and the department’s needs.

In the past, interns have worked on program evaluation and legislative affairs, assisted senior staff in policy research, and met with community leaders to seek input on the department’s performance. Additionally, there have been opportunities for interns to take part in historic events, such as preparing for G-20, the evacuation of Haiti refugees to Pittsburgh, and the possible consolidation of City-County government.  Previously, interns have also played an active role in tracking the progress of grants and legislation, giving them the chance to see the direct correlation between local, state, and national public and private entities.

Qualifications

• Applicants must be pursuing a degree in public policy, social work, business, or related fields. 
• Excellent writing, editing, research, communication and organizational skills
• Ideal candidates are detail-oriented, creative, enthusiastic, able to balance multiple priorities simultaneously and often work individually and unsupervised.
• Experience with writing and analysis a plus

Learn more about the Department of Human Services.

Résumés are collected on a rolling basis.  If your skills and interests match the current DHS projects, we will call you for a follow-up interview.  For more information, please contact Dana Kunzman at 412-350-4015 or Dana.Kunzman@AlleghenyCounty.US.