DBH Student Programs - Unpaid Internship Opportunities - General Application - Summer & Fall 2026

Student Programs
Unpaid Internship Opportunities
General Application – Summer & Fall 2026

Who we are:

At the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), we strive to exemplify  The Heart of Hope for individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders.

We proudly employ over 2,800 dedicated employees across our six inpatient behavioral health hospitals, Ohio Pharmacy Services, Ohio's prison systems, and the central office located in the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus, OH.

DBH Values:

• Service-Oriented (Person Centered, Solution Oriented, Customer Service Focused)
• Collaborative (Approachable, Reasonable, Transparent)
• Value Driven
• Innovative (Yes Before No)
• Strong Sense of Urgency

Our team of highly qualified professionals advances a critical system of behavioral healthcare in Ohio that helps people be well, get well, and stay well. Join our collaborative, service-oriented environment, where you will be respected and valued.

Please note, this is a general application for unpaid internship opportunities. Your application will be made available to multiple hiring managers who have open positions compatible with your stated areas of interest.

Unpaid internship positions can be used for credit toward a university practicum requirement.

What you’ll do at DBH:

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) offers a dynamic Student Internship Program designed to provide undergraduate and graduate students with meaningful, hands‑on experience across a broad range of professional fields. This program is ideal for students pursuing careers in behavioral health, human services, public administration, law, data and technology, communications, and other related disciplines. It is also well‑suited for students interested in the operational, clinical, and administrative functions that support a statewide behavioral health system.

Internships are based at DBH’s central office at 30 E Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215, where students gain exposure to the inner workings of Ohio’s behavioral health infrastructure. Opportunities vary by semester and may include placements in areas such as:

Behavioral Health & Clinical Services

• Medical Director’s Office – Support initiatives related to clinical standards, medical policy, and quality of care.
• Forensic Services – Learn about the intersection of behavioral health and the criminal justice system.
• Hospital Services – Assist with projects that support state psychiatric hospital operations and patient care.
• Crisis Services – Contribute to statewide crisis response initiatives and system coordination.
• Treatment Services & Integrated Care – Explore programs focused on mental health, substance use treatment, and whole‑person care.

Community, Recovery & Justice-Involved Services

• Office of Community Services – Support community‑based behavioral health initiatives.
• Bureau of Recovery Support – Assist with programs that promote long‑term recovery and peer support.
• Bureau of Workforce Sustainability – Work on strategies to strengthen Ohio’s behavioral health workforce.
• Criminal Justice & Recovery Services – Engage with programs serving justice‑involved individuals.
• Bureau of Criminal Justice / Bureau of Correctional Recovery Services – Learn how behavioral health services are delivered within correctional settings.
• Community & Family Resiliency – Support initiatives that strengthen families and communities across Ohio.

Administrative, Policy & Regulatory Functions

• Director’s Office & External Affairs – Gain experience in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and government relations.
• Behavioral Health Policy – Assist with research, policy development, and legislative analysis.
• Licensure & Certification – Learn about regulatory oversight of behavioral health providers.
• Legal Services – Support legal research, compliance, and administrative processes.
• Financial Management & Capital Planning – Explore budgeting, fiscal analysis, and capital project planning.

Technology, Data & Operations

• Information Technology – Gain experience in IT support, cybersecurity, systems management, and digital transformation.
• Health Information Systems – Support projects related to electronic health records and clinical data systems.
• Data Analytics – Assist with data collection, analysis, visualization, and reporting to inform statewide decision‑making.
• Hospital & Administrative Operations – Contribute to process improvement and operational efficiency projects.

Communications & Human Resources

• Communications & Marketing – Assist with public relations, content creation, social media, and outreach campaigns.
• Human Resources – Learn about talent acquisition, employee relations, training, and workforce planning.

Through this program, students apply classroom knowledge in a real‑world environment, explore potential career paths, and develop critical professional skills. Interns collaborate with experienced professionals, contribute to meaningful statewide initiatives, and gain insight into how Ohio supports mental health and addiction recovery across diverse communities.

Internships are unpaid and tailored to align with each student’s academic focus and career goals. Schedules are flexible and can be adjusted to accommodate academic commitments.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Position Qualifications

Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program related to the desired internship field.

Must be able to provide your own transportation to/from work location.

Primary Job Skill: Internship
Technical Skills: Human Resources, Information Technology, Administrative Support/Services, Behavioral Health, Communications, Mental Health, Nursing, Data Analytics, Database Administration
Professional Skills: Active Learning, Attention to Detail, Listening, Goal Setting, Teamwork

Application Procedures
To be considered for this position, you must apply online through this posting website (careers.ohio.gov). We no longer accept paper applications. When completing your online Ohio Civil Service Application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting. We will not give credit for your qualifications, experience, education, and training in the job selection process if there is no evidence provided on your application. In addition, “see resume” is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be fully supported by the work experience/education sections of your application. You may check the status of your application by signing into your profile on this website (careers.ohio.gov). We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application. Be sure to check your email regularly.

Background Check Notice
The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

Rule 5122-7-21, “Background check on applicants,” outlines disqualifying offenses that will preclude an applicant from being employed by the Department of Behavioral Health.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for the application process, assessment &/or interview, please contact Andrew Seifert, EEO/ADA Administrator at andrew.seifert@dbh.ohio.gov or 614-466-8884.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.