Number of openings: 1
Duration of placement: January 26 - May 22, 2026
Hours of operation: Part Time, 10 Hours per week, total of 150 hours. Specific hours will be determined upon hiring but can be flexible between Monday-Friday 8AM-6PM.
Pay: Stipend of $2,500
Required Experience / Field of Study: This internship is open to current graduate students with an interest in pursuing a career in Public Health or School Health. Relevant fields of study may include, but are not limited to: Public Health, Epidemiology, Community Health, School Health, Behavioral Health, Child/Adolescent Health, Health Sciences, Human Services, Sociology, Social Work, and Education.
Location: Hybrid: Remote & MA DPH, 250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108 and/or school-based locations across the state.
Position Overview:
The Office of Youth Mental Health & Wellbeing is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic student intern to take a lead role in conducting a qualitative evaluation of the Behavioral Health Support in Schools to Respond to Gun Violence and Related Trauma (BHGV) grant program. BHGV is a school-based program that aims to improve mental health and wellness for youth by advancing trauma-informed school environments and increasing access to behavioral health services. The program funds eight school districts/schools across Massachusetts. Program activities include hiring/retaining behavioral health staff, expanding access to needed services, implementing programs and/or policy initiatives that support trauma-informed school environments, and conducting staff training.
This position will work closely with DPH program and evaluation staff to develop evaluation questions, design data collection tools (focus group guides, interview guides, etc.), schedule interviews and focus groups with school staff and students, conduct qualitative data collection, analyze results, and write up findings. These findings will be used to both learn about the impact of BHGV funding and to inform next steps for the Office of Youth Mental Health & Wellbeing’s school-based programming.
Responsibilities:
Qualitative data collection:
- Assist in the development of qualitative data collection tools to measure the experience of staff and participants in the BHGV program
- Coordinate logistics for data collection, including recruiting program staff and students for the evaluation and scheduling meeting times
- Conduct interviews, focus groups, and/or other qualitative data collection processes
Qualitative data analysis and reporting:
- Organize and analyze collected data for key themes
- Develop report and/or presentation describing evaluation findings and next steps
Skills / Qualifications:
- Experience with qualitative data collection and analysis.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Spanish language skills are a plus.
- Excellent organizational and time management abilities.
- Proactive and professional approach to work. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated interest in health equity, public health, behavioral health/school health, evaluation, epidemiology and/or related fields.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in public health practice.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite/Teams platforms.
- Experience with qualitative analysis software (NVivo, ATLAS.ti, etc.) a plus but not required.
Application Instructions
Applicants should email their resume, and responses to the following questions to DPHInternship@mass.gov with the subject [School-Based Behavioral Health Internship Application Spring 2026] no later than Friday, November 14, 2025 to be considered for the position.
- Why are you interested in working with MA DPH? In your response, please articulate how this opportunity aligns with your academic, personal, and/or professional interests.
- Briefly share how your prior educational and/or work/volunteer experiences have equipped you for this role.
We're seeking articulate and thoughtful responses that demonstrate why you're an excellent fit for this position. While there's no strict word count, aiming for about half a page per question should suffice. Our goal is clarity and conciseness.
About the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH):
The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to promote and protect health and wellness and prevent injury and illness for all people, prioritizing racial equity in health by improving equitable access to quality public health and health care services and partnering with communities most impacted by health inequities and structural racism. We envision a Commonwealth with an equitable and just public health system that supports optimal well-being for all people in Massachusetts, centering those with systemically and culturally oppressed identities and circumstances.
More information can be found at: Department of Public Health | Mass.gov
A criminal background check will be completed prior to the internship. For more information, please visit Guidance and Information for Organizations Subject to the CORI Regulations.
If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please e-mail DPHInternship@mass.gov and we will be in touch to facilitate.
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this internship.