2026 Fall Internship | 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  

• The Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking a Policy Intern to support the DHS policy governance function within the Office of Administration. Working directly with the Policy Manager, the intern will provide administrative and project support for the DHS policy governance function, helping keep the department's policies, procedures, and standards of practice organized, accurate, accessible, and current. Typical responsibilities include supporting policy inventory updates, policy document review and revision, coordination with policy owners, and administration of the department's policy management processes and software.


• This opportunity is ideal for students who enjoy careful reading, writing, editing, organizing complex information, and working collaboratively with others. Students interested in law, government, public administration, compliance, policy, technical writing, or organizational governance are especially encouraged to apply.

What You’ll Do 

• Assist with reviewing, editing, and updating policies, procedures, and standards of practice to improve clarity, consistency, formatting, plain language, and compliance with digital accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1 AA).


• Assist with updating the DHS policy inventory, including document metadata, ownership, review schedules, and document status.


• Support policy review and revision efforts by gathering updated information, communicating with policy owners, coordinating document reviews, and tracking workflow progress.


• Assist with reviewing policy documents against DHS policy document requirements and recommending revisions under the guidance of the Policy Manager.


• Support administration of the department's policy management processes and software, including document organization and workflow management.


• Assist with special projects and process improvement initiatives that support the DHS policy governance function.
  

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