Community Outreach & Research Assistant Intern

Internship Title: Community Outreach & Research Assistant Intern

Company/Organization Information:

Umoja Behavioral Health is a statewide, culturally responsive behavioral health provider committed to helping individuals, families, and communities achieve emotional wellness and meaningful change. We focus on trauma-informed care, public health advocacy, and community-engaged programs. Interns at UBH are supported by a collaborative team and exposed to mission-driven work that makes a lasting impact.

Intern Job Responsibilities:

• Assist with community outreach and education efforts, including preparing flyers, social media posts, and tracking engagement activities.
• Support literature reviews and research translation projects connected to mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP), trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive behavioral health services.
• Contribute to community education briefs, slide decks, and outreach summaries that translate research into accessible formats for partners and the public.
• Collaborate with the Director of Programs to develop evaluation tools and capture community feedback at events or workshops.
• Participate in internal planning sessions, team updates, and assist in project coordination or logistics.
• Help organize and summarize peer-reviewed articles and program data for inclusion in proposals or staff learning activities.
• Attend occasional in-person events or meetings and assist in capturing photos or informal documentation of activities.

Work Hours & Benefits:

• Hybrid format: mostly remote, with occasional in-person events (e.g., Juneteenth, partner roundtables)
• Weekly hours: approximately 10 hours per week
• Intern will gain experience in:
    - Public-facing health communication
    - Mindfulness-based and trauma-informed practice models
    - Translating research into community impact materials
    - Evaluation and data collection in a nonprofit setting

Intern Qualifications / Skills:

• Strong written and verbal communication
• Professionalism and organization
• Curiosity and adaptability in community-based settings
• Interest in behavioral health, public health, or social impact work

Education, Experience, and Preferred Background:

• Preferred majors: Business (with nonprofit interest), Social Work, Public Health, Community Health, Psychology, or Communications 
• Research and Evaluation Experience: This role includes assisting with literature reviews and evaluation projects, with a focus on models like Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) and Belief Systems Analysis (BSA). Prior research experience is helpful but not required — curiosity and a willingness to learn are most important.
• Previous volunteer or work experience in community engagement or advocacy is a plus

Call to Action:

Umoja Behavioral Health is actively involved in a wide range of community-based initiatives that promote mental health equity, cultural responsiveness, and public wellness across New Mexico. From hosting provider networks and training the next generation of behavioral health professionals to organizing events at Juneteenth, Umoja plays a vital role in defining, providing, and expanding culturally relevant care. 

This position is ideal for students interested in bridging behavioral health research with culturally grounded public practice. Interns will have opportunities to explore emerging models like Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP), contribute to statewide healthcare initiatives, and support Umoja's mission to expand culturally responsive care.

To apply, please submit your resume and a brief paragraph describing your interest in the role through UNM Anderson Career Services. For questions or additional information, contact:

 

Jay Blackwell, MA, LMHC
Director of Programs – Umoja Behavioral Health
jblackwell@umojawellness.com