Social Work Unpaid Internship

City and County of Denver•Denver, CO

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Denver Human Services offers a structured, unpaid experiential learning internship for college students enrolled in social work or related programs. This internship is an unpaid experience and it does not replace any paid positions. This hybrid educational program is designed solely for student learning, academic observation, and professional development within Child Welfare. Instead of carrying out direct client responsibilities or handling caseloads, students will participate in an experiential learning environment that helps them understand how professionals support vulnerable children, adults, and families through observation, guided activities, and supervised skill-building.

Requirements

Must be in the final year of a Bachelor's program or enrolled in a Master's program, pursuing a degree in Social Work or a related field
Have a passion and commitment to helping others
Strong interpersonal skills, and organizational skills
Commitment to family preservation
Ability to maintain boundaries in high stress situations
Current enrollment in an accredited college program leading to a certificate, licensure, associates, bachelor’s, or higher degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Guidance and Counseling or closely related field, or a recent graduate (completed specified program within 1 year of completion)
None (Experience Requirement)
Requires a valid Driver's License at the time of application.
Resume: 1-2 pages, with the most current information
Transcripts – either official or unofficial, dated within your current academic term

Nice To Haves

We value diversity of ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, sexual identity, gender, religion, language, ability, and experience and exemplify this through the makeup of our team at all levels.
You'll be right at home here if you cultivate strong relationships and push yourself, your work, the people around you and Denver to the next level.

Responsibilities

Shadowing & Field Observation: Accompany professional caseworkers during home visits to observe engagement strategies with families and placement providers.
Structured Group Instruction: Participate in educational group sessions focusing on casework theories, system functions, and safety assessment frameworks.
Legal and Clinical Observation: Observe the legal process by shadowing staff during court‑involved cases and listening to professional interviews with adults and children.
Collaborative Meetings: Attend multidisciplinary internal and external meetings as a learning observer to understand coordination across systems.
Specialized System Exposure: Gain insight into unique program areas, including the Bilingual (Spanish‑speaking) team, the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program, and the Sexual Abuse Intervention Team.