The Fellows of Local Government is a program within the Allegheny County Department of Human Services created with the objective of helping graduates with bachelor's degreesin fields like social work, sociology, political science, economics, policy studies, pre-law, business, communications, information technology, statistics and accountingwho have "lived experience within a human service system" to advance in careers by providing them with positions as "Fellows."Fellows work for the Allegheny County Department of Human Services in the Pittsburgh region for one year, accumulating on-the-job training and valuable contacts for the future.
According to the Allegheny County website, the following qualify as lived experience within a human service system: being the recipient of child welfare services, being the recipient of mental health services, being the recipient of drug and alcohol services, being the recipient of intellectual disability services, being the recipient of community support services, or other qualifying experiences which will be determined on a base by case basis (Fellows FAQ).
Applicants must prepare an application form, a rsum, two letters of recommendation (one from a professor or staff member at an academic institution and the other from someone outside an academic institution), and any official transcripts from any post-secondary institutions attended. Applicants then must send these materials in an e-mail to fellows@alleghenycounty.us or by mail to:
Ms. Kelly Wilkinson
Attn: Fellows in Local Government Application
Allegheny County Department of Human Services
One Smithfield Street, 4th Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
The application deadline for the Fellows in Local Government Program isJanuary 16, 2015. Candidates will be informed of their status between mid March and April 2015, and the Fellow will being work in May, June, or July 2015.