Youth & Family Ombudsmen Outreach Intern (Fall 2026)

State of Ohio • Columbus, OH

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) supports Ohioans and their families through various programs including Cash and Food Assistance, Employment Services and Workforce Development, Unemployment Insurance, Adult Protective Services, and Child Support. This internship offers a hands-on opportunity to serve the community and make a difference. The State of Ohio is committed to being a leader in customer satisfaction, attracting and retaining talented employees, and continuously improving. Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State, striving to be a model employer for individuals with disabilities and ensuring access, inclusion, and reasonable accommodation in all services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities. The Office of Youth and Family Ombudsmen independently reviews and resolves complaints related to child protective services, foster care, and adoption, serving individuals including youth in children services custody by investigating complaints and offering guidance.

Requirements

• Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited college or university and in good academic standing.
• Proof of academic enrollment (current transcript copy) must be provided upon selection.
• Must have completed one (1) academic year of college.
• Must be 18 years old at start of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Interest in the fields of child protection, trauma-informed care, public policy, strategic communications and system evaluation.
• Upper-class undergraduate or graduate student.
• Lived experience in the children services system.

Responsibilities

• Advance outreach priorities aimed to expand public knowledge of the Foster Youth Bill of Rights and support services offered by the Youth Ombudsman.
• Advance outreach priorities aimed to expand public knowledge of the Resource Family Bill of Rights and support services offered by the Family Ombudsman.
• Develop a social media education campaign; write copy and create graphics within brand standards.
• Collaborate with the ODJFS Office of Communications to execute the social media campaign.
• Collaborate with other organizations invested in child welfare to strategize and work towards shared goals.
• Attend a United States Ombudsman Association (USOA) Children and Family Chapter Meeting.
• Organize and provide presentations on Foster Youth Bill of Rights and/or the Resource Family Bill of Rights.
• Support the Resource Manager in public and private agency leader outreach.
• Attend a Youth Advisory Board meeting with the Youth Ombudsman or Assistant Youth Ombudsman.
• Conduct research of applicable administrative and revised code to inform investigative strategy on complaints.
• Shadow ombudsman staff on an investigative call or meeting.

Benefits

• 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 )

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Associate degree