Welcome and thank you for your interest in the Department of Children and Families Student Internship Program. The Student Intern Program provides college students with field experience in courses that they are taking for credit toward a diploma or degree in social work or in a related field (e.g., psychology) or in a field related to management support services (e.g., information systems, business management, computer technology, human resources, legal). It is a great opportunity to gain real-world experience in your field of study. Student interns may provide many direct and indirect services in various Local and Area Offices, and in the CP&P and DCF Central Offices.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: Must be a current college student
Please Note: The following may disqualify you from consideration: Finger Prints, Outside Activity Questionnaire, Child Abuse Record Information(CARI) background check or a driving record with five points or more within the past five years; any driving under the influence conviction within the past five years; or, any combination of three motor vehicle violations/license suspensions within the last five years excluding parking violations.
| Recommended Application Date | Beginning of Review Process | |
| Spring Semester |
September 1 |
October 1 |
| Summer Semester |
January 1 |
March 1 |
| Fall Semester |
April 1 |
May 1 |
OFFICE: Child Protection & Permanency Local Offices
An Internship at the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P), places students in local DCP&P offices, throughout the state under supervision of credentialed field instructors. Interns are able to work with clients in a child welfare setting using a strengths-based, empowerment perspective. Their work is characterized by cultural competence, a family-centered and community focus, good critical thinking skills, and strong assessment skills.
Please note that a valid Driver’s License is required for placement into a Child Protection and Permanency Local Office.
OFFICE: Human Resources
POSITION SUMMARY: Provides administrative support to the Human Resources Division on all human resource matters and assists with special projects while maintaining confidentiality at all times.
- Assist HR staff members with administrative tasks as assigned
- Organize and replenish benefit packets for new hires
- Data entry, create and update excel spreadsheets, forms, and documents
- Assist with recruiting by scheduling interviews, checking references, and processing new hire paperwork
SPECIAL SKILLS REQUIRED:
- Excellent computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office package
- Excellent customer service skills
- Willing to perform clerical/administrative duties as assigned
- Ability to work independently as well as within a team
This position is unpaid and would report directly to an HR Manager or assigned HR Supervisor.
OFFICE: Legal Affairs
An intern for the Office of Legal and Legislative Affairs would be responsible for a variety of tasks within several units. Excellent writing skills are expected along with the ability to communicate with a variety of agencies in a professional manner. Legal research and summarization of Appellate and Supreme Court Decisions that impact the department is a large part of an internship with Legal and Legislative Affairs. Additionally, there are two units that an intern would specifically work closely with.
The Administrative Hearings Unit processes written statewide requests for administrative appeals regarding: substantiated and established findings of abuse/neglect, Office of Licensing actions, relative resource denials, DDD eligibility and service needs, and adoption/KLG subsidy denials. AHU ensures that appeals are administered according to applicable statute and administrative code. An intern can expect to assist in the process that all cases be thoroughly reviewed to determine appeal eligibility; including analysis of documentation to show there is ample evidence to prove the burden in court at the Office of Administrative Law. It will be expected that an intern will assist with writing Final Agency Decisions accepting, modifying, or rejecting the decision made by the Administrative Law Judge after an Office of Administrative Law hearing.
An intern will also be expected to work closely with the immigration unit which assists Department staff with immigration issues facing the populations we serve. We provide education to local offices and other Department employees regarding topics such as special immigrant juvenile status, U-Visas, and Division policies and practices surrounding immigration. We also network with other local, state, and federal agencies and stakeholders such as legal service providers, foreign consulates, United State Immigration and Citizenship Services, etc. to ease access for our clients to available immigration services and assistance.
OFFICE: Information Technology
The DCF I.T. Unit is seeking interns to assist with the distribution and support of Windows client computers, Android Smartphones, network printers and associated software. In addition, assistance with the management of Active Directory Users and Computers is also required.
Requirements:
- 2 years of education or experience in any information technology related field.
- Familiarity with Windows Client Operating Systems, Android Operating Systems and Microsoft Office
- Some lifting may be required
- Professional communication/customer service skills
STUDENTS:
If you are interested in an unpaid internship with DCF, please submit an inquiry form. Students click the following link to fill out and submit DCF's Internship Inquiry Form.
Please note: Placement is not guaranteed, and applicants will be processed in the order that they are received. Applicants are encouraged to apply with ample time before any deadlines as the application process can take up to 2 months.
FIELD COORDINATORS:
If you are a field coordinator at a college or university, you may also submit an inquiry form on behalf of your student(s). Field coordinators click the following link to fill out and submit DCF's Internship Field Coordinator Form.
If you have any questions, you may contact us at Internship.Inquiry@dcf.nj.gov
