DHS Internship

The Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) Internship Program provides students with hands-on experience in public service. Interns contribute to projects that support vulnerable populations and improve the delivery of human services across Allegheny County.

DHS seeks undergraduate and graduate students who want to make a difference. Interns work on meaningful projects that strengthen public services and support vulnerable populations. Many interns continue working with DHS after graduation.

Why Intern at DHS

Contribute to projects that improve lives across Allegheny County
Gain experience with one of the top human services agencies in the country
Work alongside professionals and community partners
Build skills and explore career paths in public service

The 2026 Spring DHS Internship cohort starts on Monday, February 9, 2026 and the 2026 Summer DHS Internship cohort starts on Monday, June 1, 2026.

Eligibility

Candidates must be enrolled at an accredited U.S. college or university
Candidates must be available to work at least 20 hours per week (up to 29 hours/week)
Candidates must be available to work in person at their assigned Pittsburgh office
International candidates must be able to fulfill the federal I-9 documentation. Please refer to page 2 in the link: I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification

DHS Overview

DHS is the largest agency in Allegheny County government, with an annual budget of over $1 billion. Through partnerships with community organizations, DHS supports more than 200,000 of the County's most vulnerable populations.

Learn more about DHS at Allegheny County Department of Human Services and Allegheny County Analytics

Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) Overview

The Office of Behavioral Health empowers adults, children, youth, and young adults facing mental illnesses and substance use disorders. It champions vital programs like the Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Assistance Program (MATP), navigates the involuntary commitment process, and inspires change through the Stand Together anti-stigma campaign in schools. While it does not provide direct services, its mission fuels hope and healing for those in need.

Location: Human Services Building: 1 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh PA 15222

AVAILABLE INTERNSHIPS (Oct 2025):

Special Projects and Community Wellness Team

The intern will support the Special Projects and Community Wellness Team with administrative tasks, outreach efforts, and program development related to Stand Together. This role is ideal for a student interested in behavioral health, youth development, or nonprofit programming. The intern will gain hands-on experience in community engagement, policy writing, and program operations.

The Special Projects and Community Wellness Team supports innovative efforts to promote behavioral health, reduce stigma, and improve community well-being. Its flagship program, Stand Together, is a nonprofit launched by DHS in 2013 to address stigma around mental health and substance use. It trains middle and high school students to support peers through a peer-to-peer, service-learning model, allowing students to learn about behavioral health and stigma and share their knowledge through school campaigns.

Responsibilities

Perform administrative tasks such as organizing files, scheduling, and preparing materials.
Develop flyers and outreach materials for student-led campaigns and events
Edit and update existing documents, including training materials and policy drafts
Support community engagement efforts by assisting with school visits, tabling events, and public presentations
Assist with policy writing and documentation related to behavioral health and youth programming
Contribute to staff development activities by preparing resources and supporting logistics
Review and input program data to support evaluation and reporting

Preferred Qualifications

Coursework or experience in psychology, public health, education, social work, or nonprofit management
Basic computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Time management and organizational abilities
Ability to work independently once trained and assigned tasks
Interest in youth empowerment, behavioral health, and anti-stigma initiatives
Experience with design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe) or data entry platforms is a plus

Potential Opportunity:

Work with Stand Together on a PT basis as a Teacher’s Assistant or apply to the full-time Stand Together trainer position.

Behavioral Health (BH) Fellows Program Assistant

The intern will assist the Behavioral Health Fellows Program team with data tracking, event coordination, and administrative support. This role is ideal for a student interested in public health, behavioral health systems, or workforce development. The intern will gain hands-on experience in program operations, data management, and cross-sector collaboration.

The Behavioral Health Fellows Program is a strategic workforce initiative designed to strengthen Allegheny County’s behavioral health system by recruiting, training, and retaining qualified professionals.

Responsibilities

Assist with data entry, tracking, and quality checks related to program participants and outcomes.
Maintain organized records and documentation for program operations
Support scheduling, communications, and logistics for cohort events and trainings
Compile reports and summaries using Excel and other tools
Collaborate with internal staff and external partners to ensure accurate program data
Contribute to process improvement efforts and support evaluation activities

Preferred Qualifications

Coursework or experience in public health, behavioral health, human services, or data analysis
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel; familiarity with Python and/or SQL is a plus.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
Clear written and verbal communication skills
Interest in workforce development and behavioral health equity
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team setting

OBH Bureau of Drugs and Alcohol Program Assistant

The intern will support the Bureau’s administrative, data, and community engagement efforts. This role is ideal for a student interested in public health, behavioral health systems, or community-based programming. The intern will gain hands-on experience in outreach coordination, data tracking, and public-facing initiatives that support substance use recovery and prevention.

The Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services, part of DHS’s Office of Behavioral Health, coordinates access to substance use treatment and recovery services across Allegheny County.

Responsibilities

Assist with data entry and quality checks related to outreach activities and service access.
Support scheduling, logistics, and documentation for community events and provider meetings
Help prepare outreach materials and track distribution across neighborhoods and partner sites.
Maintain organized records and assist with reporting for internal and external stakeholders.
Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to support engagement efforts.
Contribute to special projects that promote awareness of substance use services and reduce stigma

Preferred Qualifications

Coursework or experience in public health, behavioral health, social work, or community engagement
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel; familiarity with other data tools is a plus.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
Clear written and verbal communication skills
Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
Interest in substance use recovery, harm reduction, and health equity
Comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a team setting