Health & Human services

Public Health Internships | Long Beach Health & Human Services

Kick-start your future in public health, human services, research, or community well-being through hands-on internship opportunities with the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services.

Our internships offer real experience serving communities across the Greater Long Beach and Los Angeles County region. Opportunities are available across eight specialized bureaus, each providing meaningful work that supports the health and well-being of residents.

Why Intern With Us?

• Real-world experience in local government and public health
• Mentorship from experienced health professionals
• Opportunities in epidemiology, environmental health, community health, homelessness response, data analysis, and more
• Flexible placements for academic credit
• Strengthen your resume with real public health impact

Apply or Express Interest

Interested in an internship? Start by completing our Internship Interest Form. You’ll be asked for your academic details, areas of interest, availability and a short statement about why you’d like to intern with us.

How the Internship Works

SUBMIT AN INTEREST FORM

Important: For security reasons, this site does not accept file uploads. If documents are needed (e.g. resume or school forms), a staff member will request them directly. 

• Internship Options by Bureau

  The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services has eight special bureaus. Each one offers unique chances to learn about public health and human services. See where your skills and interests can make the biggest difference in our community.  
   
  
  

  Administrative and Financial Services	Collective Impact
  Learn the operations behind a city health department—budgets, contracts, tech systems, HR processes, and administrative support. Great for students in public administration, management, finance, operations, and business systems.  Apply for This Bureau	Work on equity-driven, collaborative projects addressing the root causes of health disparities. Ideal for students studying public health, data science, health equity, policy, or community engagement.  Apply for This Bureau
  Community Health	Communicable Disease & Emergency Response
  Support teams delivering services like immunizations, nutrition programs, family health, health promotion, and chronic disease prevention. Strong fit for public health, health education, nursing, social work, or community health majors. Apply for This Bureau	Help track outbreaks, support vaccination programs and assist with public health emergency preparedness that keep Long Beach safe. Best suited for students in epidemiology, MPH programs, biology, data analysis, and emergency management. Apply for This Bureau
  Environmental Health	Executive Office
  Get hands-on experience in restaurant inspections, water quality testing, vector control, and environmental hazard prevention. Ideal for students pursuing environmental health, biology, chemistry, public health, or environmental science.  Apply for This Bureau	Learn how public health strategy and policy take shape at the departmental level. Strong fit for students in public policy, public health leadership, or government administration.  Apply for This Bureau
  Homeless Services	Housing Authority Bureau
  Support compassionate, client-centered services including outreach, shelter coordination, case management, and housing navigation. A great option for social work, human services, public health, or behavioral health students. Apply for This Bureau	Work with housing assistance programs that support stability and access to safe, affordable homes. Suitable for students in public administration, urban planning, policy, housing studies, or social services.  Apply for This Bureau

• For Universities and Program Coordinators

  We love working with universities and schools! We love to collaborate with universities, community colleges and training programs to provide supervised practice hours, capstone placements, and hands-on learning opportunities. Partnerships can support individual students or group placements, depending on program needs.
  
  How to Get Started: Please fill out our School Outreach Form to start a conversation about partnering. We'll get back to you within 5 business days to set up a planning call. 
  
  What We Need to Know: 
  
  • Number of students and academic levels
  • Preferred dates and placement duration
  • Information on funding or credit requirements 
  • Student learning objectives
  • Supervision and evaluation expectations
  Submit a School Outreach Form

• Frequently Asked Questions

  Who can apply? 
  If you're currently in an accredited college, university, or professional training program, you can apply. Recent graduates (within the last 12 months) are also welcome. All majors are welcome! We often see students from public health, data sciences, social work, nursing, and similar fields. 
  
  Do I need to live in Long Beach?
  No. Applicants do not need to live in Long Beach; however, most placements require in-person work in Long Beach.

  Is this a paid internship? 
  Most positions are unpaid. Paid positions can be found on our city jobs website. Many students arrange for academic credit or use outside funding. We want to help you succeed, so we'll work with you to find options. 
  
  What's the minimum time I need to commit? 
  Most placements last 12–52 weeks and range from 16–40 hours per week. Schedules vary by bureau and can be adjusted to meet academic requirements.

  When should I apply?
  Applications are accepted year-round. Students are encouraged to apply 8–12 weeks before their preferred start date. Some bureaus fill up quickly, especially for summer placements due to limited spots. 

  How are placements determined?
  Placements are based on applicant interest, bureau capacity, and program needs. Not all applicants can be placed.
  
  Are remote options available? 
  Most internships require you to work in person. This helps you get hands-on experience and supportive mentoring. There might be a few remote spots for roles like data analysis, research, or content creation. Let us know your needs in your Interest Form.
  

  Does your school have an affiliation agreement?
  We already have agreements with many schools. If you're not sure, check with your school and ask them to reach out with the School Outreach Form above under "For Universities and Program Coordinators."

  Are background checks required?
  Yes. Before starting, all interns must complete a background check

Location: 
Main Long Beach Department of Health & Human Services Office
2525 Grand Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90815

Please note: Other bureaus operate at locations across the city; placement sites vary by role.