2026 Fall Policy Intern

ABOUT US

Allegheny County Department of Human Services (ACDHS) is the largest agency with a $1 billion+ budget, supporting over 200,000 residents annually through community partnerships.

The ACDHS Internship Program offers students practical experience in public service, involving meaningful projects that enhance social services. ACDHS seeks undergraduate and graduate students to apply their skills, work with professionals, and impact programs serving vulnerable groups.

Why Intern at DHS

• Contribute to projects that improve lives across Allegheny County
• Gain experience with one of the nation’s leading human services agencies
• Work alongside experienced professionals and community partners
• Build practical skills and explore careers in public service

Program Details

• Dates: Fall 2026 (preferred start: September 2026); approximately 12 weeks
• Hours: Up to 20 hours/week; flexible within business hours (8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)
• Work Type: In-person (Pittsburgh-based roles)

Eligibility

• Enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university (undergraduate or graduate)
• Available to work up to 20 hours per week
• Able to work in person at an assigned ACDHS office
• Must have an Allegheny County address during the internship
• International candidates must meet federal I-9 employment eligibility requirements.

Policy Intern Overview

• Support the DHS policy governance function by increasing capacity to maintain high-quality, accessible, and current policy documents while assisting with department-wide policy inventory updates. Support Policy governance, implementation, and process improvement.

What You’ll Do

• Policy writing, editing, and Digital Accessibility Compliance Review and Remediation - (Section 508 Remediation )
• Stakeholder coordination and project support
• Local government operations
• Contribute to department-wide policy initiatives while developing transferable skills in writing, editing, collaboration, and project coordination

Required/Preferred Skills

• Required Skills: Strong written communication and editing skills
• A ttention to detail and organizational skills
• E xperience using Microsoft Word's document formatting features (e.g., styles, headings, page layout, tables)
• Professional communication skills.
• Preferred Skills: Editing or analytical writing experience
• E xperience using software or databases to organize and manage information
• P roject coordination or stakeholder communication
• E xperience creating or reviewing accessible documents using Microsoft Word and document accessibility tools

What You’ll Gain

• The internship provides experience applicable to careers in policy, compliance, project coordination, administration, and local government
• Continued internship opportunities may be available based on organizational needs and funding
• The experience gained may be valuable for future opportunities within DHS and other public sector organizations