Intern- Employee & Organizational Strategy

Title: Intern- Employee & Organizational Strategy

State Role Title: Paid Intern

Hiring Range: $20.00-$25.00/hr

Pay Band: UG

Agency: Department of Social Services

Location: DSS HOME OFFICE

Agency Website: https://www.dss.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

At the Virginia Department of Social Services, we put people at the center of everything we do. We believe that every Virginian can live a life of dignity and that all voices, ideas and experiences contribute greatly to our pursuit of excellence. Inspired by continuous improvement, we commit ourselves to listening, learning and cultivating environments of trust, respect and positive engagement. Together, we are mission-driven, eager to achieve, and passionate about bringing the best of who we are to those we serve.

We design and deliver high-quality human services that help Virginians achieve safety, independence and overall well-being. We are a $2 billion agency – one of the largest in the Commonwealth of Virginia – partnering with 120 local departments of social services and 31 community action agencies, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children, adults, and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside 1,650 (state) and 12,200 (local) human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens have easy access to the services and benefits available to them.

This is an hourly/wage position and is not entitled to the Commonwealth of Virginia’s state benefits package. This position is limited to no more than 1500 hours in a 12-month period.

Spend your summer doing meaningful, hands‑on work with the Virginia Department of Social Services.
As an intern in the Employee & Organizational Strategy (EOS) portfolio, you’ll take the lead on a high‑visibility capstone project: developing an engaging, user‑friendly Employee Handbook that supports a consistent and welcoming experience for employees across the agency. It’s an opportunity to apply your skills in design, communication, and project management while contributing to work that directly shapes the employee experience.

While the handbook will be your primary focus, you won’t be limited to just that. You’ll collaborate with teams across the portfolio and gain exposure to a range of initiatives that support employee engagement and organizational effectiveness. The internship program also offers learning and development opportunities, networking experiences, and additional activities designed to support your growth. If you’re looking for practical experience, meaningful collaboration, and opportunities to build skills that translate to any career path, this internship offers a strong foundation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Rising junior, senior, or graduate student for the 2026–2027 academic year, in good academic standing and currently enrolled.
• Available to work from May 18 through August 7, 2026, for up to 40 hours per week.
• Ability to work on-site at the VDSS Home Office (Glen Allen, VA) at least two days per week, with telework options for remaining days.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Outlook.
• Strong business writing and communication skills; crafts compelling copy.
• Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
• Knowledge of design principles and tools.
• Creative thinker who turns ideas into engaging designs.
• Ability to understand and deliver on others’ design needs.
• Builds strong relationships and collaborates well.
• Organized and manages time effectively.

Additional Considerations

• GPA 3.0+
• Coursework includes significant study in Organizational Development, Human Resources, Communications, Writing, Graphic Design, Marketing, Media Arts, or a related field.
• Familiar with accessibility tools (Microsoft, Acrobat) and style checkers.
• Proven ability to lead or manage projects.
• Experience analyzing data and creating visualizations.
• Committed to growth and self-development.
• Self-driven; takes initiative.
• Captures key details and translates directives into results.
• Experience with Microsoft Teams and SharePoint for collaboration.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or