UNPAID STUDENT INTERNSHIP with various departments (Intern Pool)
County of Riverside
FreshPosted Jan 13
⚠ Possibly Stale
Posted: December 12, 2025 (34 days ago)
This job has been posted for over a month. It may already be filled.
Unpaid Summer 2026 Internship with DCI Crime Laboratory
State of Iowa
595 Iowa Department of Public Safety
Location
Iowa, 50319
Salary
Not specified
Type
Internship
More Science & Research jobs →Closes
February 13, 2026More State jobs →
Job Description
Summary
This unpaid internship at the Iowa DCI Crime Laboratory offers hands-on experience in forensic science during the summer of 2026, where interns will assist with lab operations in Ankeny, Iowa, for about two months.
It's ideal for college students or recent graduates interested in criminal investigations and law enforcement who want to gain practical skills in a real-world setting.
No pay is involved, so it's best for those seeking career-building opportunities in public safety.
Key Requirements
- Current enrollment in or recent completion of a degree program in forensic science, chemistry, biology, or a related field
- Strong interest in criminal justice and laboratory work
- Availability for full-time work from early June to early August 2026
- Ability to work at the Ankeny, IA facility
- Follow specific application instructions as a non-merit position exempt from standard screening
- Basic understanding of safety protocols in a lab environment
Full Job Description
This is a non-merit internship position. Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.
The Iowa DCI Crime Laboratory intends to offer up to four unpaid internships at our facility in Ankeny, IA for the summer of 2026, starting around the first week of June and ending in early August of 2026.
Organization Background:
The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) is a statewide law enforcement agency committed to serving the people of Iowa with leadership, integrity, and professionalism. We uphold the core values of courtesy, service, and protection, and collaborate with federal, state, and local jurisdictions within the criminal justice community to provide for the safety of people living in or traveling through the State of Iowa.
DPS is comprised of the following divisions:
• Iowa State Patrol
• Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)
• Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement
• Iowa State Fire Marshal
• Division of Professional Development and Support Services
• Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center
• Administrative Services Division
Job Description:
The Iowa DCI Crime Laboratory intends to offer up to four unpaid internships at our facility in Ankeny, IA for the summer of 2026, starting around the first week of June and ending in early August of 2026.
These internships are unpaid, and project based, typically working with a particular section of the laboratory.
These internships will also be asked to assist with general administrative tasks, such as scanning old case files, along with other duties as assigned. We ask for a minimum 20 hour per week commitment.
To apply, please complete all items requested on the NeoGov application and upload your resume, most recent college transcripts, and a cover letter indicating the specific forensic discipline you are interested (if known).
Please ensure your transcripts are as up to date as possible to aid in making our selections.
Typical candidates often have partially or nearly completed some sort of college level science degree, including hands on laboratory experience as part of their coursework.
Additional Requirements:
Relocation assistance and lodging are not provided and are the responsibility of the successful applicant.
Candidates must successfully pass a comprehensive background investigation conducted by the Iowa Department of Public Safety investigators before a final letter of employment offer is delivered. The background materials must be received in a timely manner once an offer is made to allow processing time for the background process prior to starting date.
Applicants are encouraged to attach a cover letter and resume within the NEOGOV application.
The State of Iowa is an E-Verify Employer.
This is not a remote position.
E-Verify and Right to Work
The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visitwww.e-verify.gov.Qualifications
Applicants for positions in this class must be currently enrolled students in a degree program at an accredited educational institution, as determined by the Iowa Department of Administrative Services – Human Resources Enterprise.For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.
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