2026 Fall Internship | Policy Intern

About the role

The 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
  Attention to detail and organizational skills
  Experience using Microsoft Word's document formatting features (e.g., styles, headings, page layout, tables)
  Professional communication skills
• Preferred Skills: Editing or analytical writing experience
  Experience using software or databases to organize and manage information
  Project coordination or stakeholder communication
  Experience 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