Master’s-Level Internship – Clinical and Behavioral Health Services

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:
Health & Human Services - Agency 25
Location:
Hastings, NE, Kearney, NE, Lincoln, NE, Norfolk, NE
Hiring Rate:
$23.000
Job Posting:
JR2026-00030461 Master’s-Level Internship – Clinical and Behavioral Health Services (Evergreen) (Open)
Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):
12-11-2026
Job Description:
The Department of Health and Human Services is seeking motivated, compassionate, and career-focused master's-level students to join our team as Interns in facility-based settings. This internship provides hands-on experience supporting individuals, families, and communities while developing professional skills under the supervision of licensed behavioral health and human services professionals.
This opportunity is designed for students pursuing advanced degrees in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Mental Health, Behavioral Health, and related helping professions. Interns will gain practical experience in assessment, case management, documentation, treatment planning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and client-centered service delivery while applying academic knowledge in a real-world setting.

Internship Placement and Availability

This posting covers master’s-level internships that provide supervised experience in DHHS facility settings. All internships are onsite, and applicants must be currently enrolled in a master’s degree program to be eligible. Placement opportunities and locations depend on facility availability. Internships may be available in Lincoln, Hastings, Kearney, and Norfolk, Nebraska.

Internship Responsibilities

- Assist with client assessments, psychosocial evaluations, behavioral health screenings, and service planning under supervision.
- Support case management activities, including referrals, coordination of services, resource navigation, and follow-up.
- Participate in individual, family, and group interventions as appropriate to the setting and educational program requirements.
- Maintain accurate, timely, and professional documentation in accordance with agency, legal, and regulatory standards.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including social workers, psychologists, counselors, therapists, nursing staff, psychiatrists, and other professionals.
- Observe and support crisis intervention, de-escalation, and problem-solving efforts.
- Assist with treatment planning, client engagement, and discharge planning activities.
- Participate in supervision, staff meetings, training opportunities, and professional development activities.
- Uphold confidentiality, professional ethics, cultural responsiveness, and evidence-informed practices.

Requirements / Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an accredited college or university (two-to-four-year institution) OR recently graduated (within one year) from an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an accredited college or university (two-to-four-year institution).

Preferred Qualifications

- Currently enrolled in an accredited master's degree program in an accredited master's degree program in: Social Work (MSW), Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Behavioral Health, Human Services, Related behavioral health or helping professions
- Current enrollment in a practicum, internship, or field placement course associated with the degree program.
- Completion of foundational coursework in assessment, ethics, human behavior, counseling theories, psychopathology, or clinical practice.
- Strong communication, documentation, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to establish professional relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
- Commitment to ethical, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and client-centered practices.
- Interest in behavioral health, mental health treatment, forensic services, crisis services, rehabilitation, or public service.
- Ability to complete required background checks, onboarding requirements, and pre-service training.

What You'll Gain

- Supervised field experience aligned with graduate internship, practicum, and clinical training requirements.
- Practical experience in assessment, documentation, treatment planning, case management, and therapeutic interventions.
- Exposure to interdisciplinary teamwork within state-operated behavioral health and treatment facilities.
- Opportunities to apply classroom learning to real-world practice with diverse populations.
- Professional supervision, mentorship, and career development support.
- Enhanced preparation for post-graduate careers in behavioral health, social services, counseling, psychology, and public service.
- Meaningful experience serving individuals and communities through Nebraska Health and Human Services programs.

If you're currently employed by the State of Nebraska, please don't apply through this external career site. Instead, log in to Workday and open the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page. You can access Workday anytime through the Link web page: https://link.nebraska.gov/

Benefits

Select temporary assignments are eligible for benefits! This includes health, dental, and long/short term disability.

Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.