LDH Student Intern (Fall 2026 Program)

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) Student Internship Program offers an exciting paid opportunity for college and university students to step into the world of public policy, gain hands-on experience, and explore the important work happening across the Department of Health.

As an Intern, you will engage in a variety of work assignments, projects, and activities designed to provide meaningful exposure to LDH operations and public policy, including:

• Providing entry-to-intermediate level professional services across LDH offices under the supervision of management staff
• Participating in projects and programs to develop professional skills and expertise 
• Assisting in the planning and implementation of departmental policies and initiatives
• Receiving guidance, training, and mentoring from LDH management staff
• Performing other job-related duties as assigned

Interns are expected to actively participate in all program activities throughout the duration of the internship, working 20–40 hours per week within assigned LDH agencies and seizing additional learning opportunities as they arise.

Location

Interns must be able to work in person at an office located in East Baton Rouge Parish. These are not remote positions.

Hourly Compensation

Sophomore - $19.00

Junior - $19.50

Senior - $20.00

Applications will be accepted from February 23, 2026 through March 20, 2026

Step 1:

Participation Requirements:

• A student enrolled in an accredited Louisiana college, university, or state-operated technical college who is either:
  • Classified as a full-time student under their school’s criteria, or
  • In their final two semesters and taking the courses needed to graduate, even if not full-time.
    (HR will verify student enrollment status prior to job offer) 
• Internship requirements include: 
  • Undergraduate students who have completed their freshman year by the start of the program. 
  • Students who have completed at least one academic year at a two-year college by the start of the program. 
• Applicants must:
  • Be in good academic standing with an overall GPA of 3.0 or equivalent
  • Demonstrate leadership and commitment to public service, volunteerism and civic engagement 
  • Practice ethical standards, including professional discretion 
  • Demonstrate strong commitment to personal growth, good government and nonpartisanship
• Students must possess unrestricted US work authorization. 
• Failure to adhere to the above requirements may result in removal from the internship

Step 2:

Application Procedures: 
Qualified applicants must complete an application on the Louisiana State Civil Service website and attach the below four (4) documents to their application:

1. Complete, unofficial transcript (an official transcript will be required for Finalist Candidates)
2. Resume including education and employment history
3. Letter of professional recommendation from a professor or counselor
4. 300 word essay 
   • In your essay, select a specific policy issue or agency within the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) and explain why you chose it. Describe how your education and experiences could help support or advance its goals, clearly connecting your background and interests to the work of that agency or policy area.
   • You may choose to write about a current issue or propose a new policy idea. To learn more about the different LDH agencies and their areas of focus, visit the Louisiana Department of Health website.

To the best extent possible, interns will be placed within their area of focus.  

Internship Timeline

Program Events                                               Date

Application Period Opens                             Monday, February 23, 2026

Application Deadline                                     Sunday, March 20, 2026

Interns Complete Pre-Onboarding documents 

and Drug Screening                                       August 3, 2026 - August 7, 2026
*Interns must be available to complete drug screening during these dates.*

First Day at LDH                                             Monday, August 31, 2026

Final Day at LDH                                            Friday, November 20, 2026 

Dates are subject to change as needed

For further information about this vacancy:
Website - LDH Student Internship & Fellowship Website
Email - LDHInternship@la.gov 
Phone - 225 342-6477 

 This organization participates in E-verify, and for more information on E-verify, please contact DHS at 1-888-464-4218.    

LDH supports Louisiana’s commitment to being a State as a Model Employer (SAME) by promoting the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

Information on the Louisiana Works, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available here.

LDH is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to recruit a highly productive and diverse workforce and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non-merit factor.