Youth & Family Ombudsmen Outreach Intern (Fall 2026)

Who We Are

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) supports Ohioans and their families through the following programs:

• Cash and Food Assistance
• Employment Services and Workforce Development
• Unemployment Insurance
• Adult Protective Services
• Child Support

Public service is an honorable way to serve the community in a hands-on dedicated way. You can make a difference in someone’s world!

Guiding Principles

• We will be a leader in customer satisfaction.
• We will have a reputation that attracts and retains talented, diverse, and dedicated employees.
• We get better at what we do every day.

Office of Youth & Family Ombudsmen 

The Office of Youth and Family Ombudsmen independently reviews and resolves complaints related to child protective services, foster care, and adoption. The office serves individuals, including youth in children services custody, by investigating complaints and offering guidance. Learn more about the office by visiting Home | Youth and Family Ombudsmen Office. 

What You Will Do

In this position, you will work closely with the staff across the office. This team is small, flexible and will provide you with opportunities to engage in constituent-centered outreach, strategic stakeholder engagement, and systemwide review of children services practice and public policy. 

During your internship you may:

• 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. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Introduction to Public Service
2. Ethical and Professional Behavior
3. Diversity and Difference
4. Children Services System: Policy and Practice
5. Ombudsman Standards and Best Practices
6. Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect
7. Legal Framework
8. Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
9. Stakeholder Engagement

Schedule: One academic year August 2026 – May 2027 

Hours: 8-10 hours per week M-F. Hours must be worked between 8AM – 5PM.

Location: This position will be headquartered in an ODJFS Facility in one of the following cities - Columbus, Akron, or Dayton. This determination will take into account the proximity to the applicant's home address.

Rhodes State Officer Tower - 30 E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Akron - 172 S. Broadway Street, Akron, OH 44308
Dayton - 6680 Poe Avenue, Dayton, OH 45414

Travel: Occasional travel within the state of Ohio.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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

PN(s): 20038793

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• 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)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

The ideal candidate, at minimum, must have the following: 

• 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

Tips For Your Application

When completing the different sections of this application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined in this job posting. We cannot give you credit for your Work Experience and Education & Certifications if you do not provide that information in your online application. Information in attached resumes or cover letters must be entered into your application in the appropriate Work Experience or Education & Certification sections to be considered.

Pay Information

Hourly rate is based on a student’s academic year, verified through unofficial transcripts. This structure provides a clear, consistent pathway for wage progression. Undergraduate (UG) and graduate interns are eligible for pay increases as they continue their employment and advance toward completing their degree.

ADA Notice

If you require an accommodation based on a disability for any step of the selection process, please contact [email protected]

Background check information

The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Some positions may require drug testing and/or fingerprinting. Criminal convictions do not necessarily disqualify candidates from consideration.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.