Explore BHS Student Opportunities

The County of San Diego Behavioral Health Services (BHS) offers internships for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. These positions provide hands-on training within the behavioral health field.

Youth Engagement Ambassador (YEA) Pilot

Applications are now open and will close on Sunday, December 14 at 11:59 PM.

The YEA Pilot, led by the Communication & Engagement (C&E) Team, offers paid, part-time (15 hours/week), non-clinical work for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. This pilot program is scheduled to be implemented from February through June 2026, with possible extension pending funding availability.

The YEA Pilot focuses on:

  • Uplifting youth-led content, crafted by youth, for youth, to spark conversations about mental health
  • Engaging peers and the community with relatable outreach that reduces stigma
  • Connecting youth to support early by sharing resources and addressing challenges like anxiety, bullying, social media pressure, and vaping
  • Building leadership and communication skills

For more information about this pilot program, please e-mail the C&E Team at Engage.BHS@sdcounty.ca.gov using subject line "YEA Inquiry."

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  • Job Description

    Youth participating in the YEA Pilot will perform the following core activities:

    • Share ideas and lived experiences to help guide mental health messaging
    • Create graphics, content, and outreach materials for youth audiences
    • Work with a team of peers to plan engagement activities 
    • Participate in training opportunities to enhance behavioral health knowledge and communication and engagement skills
       
  • Participation Requirements

    Applicants must reside within 2 hours of San Diego County geographic borders and be able to provide proof of full-time enrollment in an educational/training program to be eligible for consideration.

    • High School: Full-time high school students. If under the age of 18, students must obtain a work permit from their school.
    • Associate/Undergraduate: Students enrolled in at least 12 semester/15 quarter units, or 'full-time' as determined by student's specific program, at an accredited college or training program leading to an associate or bachelor's degree.
    • Graduate/Technical: Students enrolled in at least 6 semester/9 quarter units, or 'full-time' as determined by student's specific program, in a graduate/technical program towards an advanced degree (e.g., MA/MS, MBA, MSW, MPH, EdD, DrPH, PhD, etc.).
    • All applicants must have a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better to participate.
    • Selected candidates should expect to engage with individuals and organizations from various communities and sectors and work a minimum of 1-2 non-remote days each week (i.e., out in the community and/or in-person at County offices) due to the nature of operations.
    • Weekly hours worked are typically scheduled between 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, with some weekend events to be expected; students' specific hours per day are determined upon start, in partnership with their assigned Supervisor and based on students' availability.
       

    A minimum commitment of 5 months from February through June 2026 is required by the department, with the possibility of extension pending funding availability. 
     

  • How to Apply

    1. Complete online 'Student Worker-25090512-Undergraduate, Graduate/Tech and High School' application via Government Jobs. Students participating in the department's SAL Program are compensated through the County's Student Worker/Internship Program.

    2. E-mail a cover letter (1-page maximum), resume (2-page maximum), and proof of your Student Worker Government Jobs application submission*** to Engage.BHS@sdcounty.ca.gov by the recruitment deadline; either a screenshot image file or Adobe PDF file of your application received e-mail is acceptable.

    ***Applicants receive two separate notifications: 1) an e-mail confirming County receipt of their Government Jobs application; and, 2) a subsequent e-mail confirming their name has been placed on the Student Worker eligible hire list with an eligibility expiration date. Eligibility e-mails are typically received within 10-14 days of application submission. Both e-mails are sent from the 'Processing Unit' (info@governmentjobs.com).

Student Ambassador/Liaison (SAL) Program

Application period is now closed. Please check back for future opportunities.

The SAL Program, led by the C&E Team, offers paid, part-time (20 hours/week), non-clinical work for undergraduate and graduate students. Typical SAL experience is 10-12 months, dependent on the format of the student's program and academic breaks.

The SAL Program focuses on:

  • Health promotion
  • Outreach and education
  • Community engagement on behavioral health topics such as stigma reduction, suicide prevention, and substance misuse and overdose prevention

For more information about the SAL Program or for questions about upcoming recruitments, please e-mail the C&E Team at Engage.BHS@sdcounty.ca.gov using subject line "SAL Program Inquiry."

Student Testimonials

Student Workers

"This opportunity has been a pivotal experience for my career and personal growth. C&E offers a wide range of experiences to suit various interests, and the team is incredibly supportive in helping you develop and thrive!" - Intera S.
Student workers

"I've been able to use my skills to contribute to the team while finding opportunities to engage in projects and tasks that also interest me and align with my future career goals." - Hillary N.

Other Opportunities

Graduate Student Internships

For graduate students interested in completing their clinical practicum hours, required internship hours, or other opportunities at BHS, please contact BHSworkforce.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov. Please include a copy of your resume, number of hours needed, prospective start date and region of interest.

Other County Opportunities

You can volunteer or apply to other Student Work opportunities to help your community. No matter the role you will get training and experience to support your development. Explore the Internships, Student Workers, and Volunteering page to learn more about other opportunities to get involved with the County of San Diego.