Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center Internship (Hastings)
Location: Hastings, Nebraska
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is offering an immersive internship opportunity at the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center (YRTC) in Hastings. This internship provides students with a unique, hands-on experience in a secure residential facility that serves youth committed through the juvenile justice system.
What You’ll Experience
Interns will have the opportunity to shadow professionals across a variety of departments, gaining exposure to the interdisciplinary approach used to support, guide, and rehabilitate youth. Areas of rotation may include:
- Case Management – Observe how individualized treatment and case planning are implemented.
- Therapeutic Services – Learn about behavioral and mental health support offered to youth.
- Education Services – Gain insight into on-site academic programs and student engagement.
- Food Services – Understand the role of nutrition and meal planning in institutional care.
- Facility Operations – Get a broad view of how different teams work together in a secure treatment setting.
Who Should Apply
We are looking for students with an interest in fields such as:
- Social Work
- Criminal Justice
- Psychology
- Education
- Behavioral Health
- Public Administration
- Human Services
Applicants must be at least 19 years old and able to commit to a schedule agreed upon by both the intern and the site supervisor.
Application Review: March 1st, 2026
Application Deadline: March 27th, 2026
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).
- Must be 19 years of age or older at the time of application.
- Ability to pass a background check and any required facility screenings.
- Ability to commit to the agreed-upon internship schedule.
- Strong interpersonal communication skills and willingness to work in a structured, secure environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Coursework or prior experience in youth services, juvenile justice, counseling, behavioral health, social work, or residential care.
- Experience working or volunteering with at-risk youth, schools, mentorship programs, or community service organizations.
- Awareness of trauma-informed practices or an interest in learning about behavioral interventions.
- Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong problem-solving, observation, and documentation skills.
Why Intern at YRTC – Hastings?
This is a great opportunity to:
- Gain direct experience in a youth-focused residential treatment setting
- Explore potential career paths in public service and rehabilitation
- Build professional connections with experienced staff in multiple disciplines