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
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
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.
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
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
Preferred Qualifications
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
Preferred Qualifications
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
Preferred Qualifications