CDC Health Communications Fellowship

Organization
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Reference Code
CDC-NCEH-DEHSP-2023-0021
How to Apply

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A complete application consists of:

  • An application
  • Transcripts – Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts
  • A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
  • One educational or professional recommendation. Your application will be considered incomplete, and will not be reviewed until one recommendation is submitted.

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

Application Deadline
3/24/2023 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

CDC Office and Location: This ORISE fellowship opportunity is currently available in the Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice (DEHSP) within the National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the major operation components of the Department of Health and Human Services. CDC works to protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, human error or deliberate attack, CDC fights disease and supports communities and citizens to do the same.

DEHSP promotes and protects the health and quality of life of all people in the United States through conducting environmental health science and improving environmental health services. Its mission is supported by surveillance, epidemiologic studies, technical assistance, training, and emergency response activities through programs that provide critical environmental health capacity for state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments and other agencies with related responsibilities. 

Research Project: The participant will train in the Lead Poisoning Prevention and Environmental Health Tracking Branch as part of the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program’s surveillance and prevention activities.

Learning Objectives: The selected participant will train with public health program professionals in various roles and also train in the following diverse activities:

  • Training in researching, gathering, compiling, and developing information
  • Training in development of messages and communication materials such as fact sheets, program briefings, program summaries, web pages, and program briefs
  • Training in communications research, literature or health communication scans
  • Training in drafting materials and messages for dissemination through a variety of communication channels
  • Training in health communication and marketing of program priorities. 

Mentor(s)The mentor for this opportunity is Perri Ruckart (afp4@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: February 6, 2023.  Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment LengthThe appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of CDC and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of ParticipationThe appointment is full-time.

Participant StipendThe participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.

Citizenship RequirementsThis opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

ORISE InformationThis program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and CDC. Participants do not become employees of CDC, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

The successful applicant(s) will be required to comply with Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) requirements of the hosting facility, including but not limited to, COVID-19 requirements (e.g. facial covering, physical distancing, testing, vaccination).

Questions: Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process please email ORISE.CDC.NCEH@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields (e.g. Health or Science Communications, Public Health). Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

Preferred skills:

  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Strong command of English language and grammar
  • Attention to detail
  • Knowledge of public health terminology and communication principles, methods, practices and techniques
  • Ability to translate complex scientific concepts and language into messages and information tailored for diverse audiences and stakeholders
  • Ability to analyze different streams of information and translate complex concepts into language appropriate for multiple audiences
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Comfortable with various technologies and platforms for dissemination of messages and information 
Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
  • Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
  • Discipline(s):
    • Communications and Graphics Design (2 )
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (1 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (1 )
Affirmation

I certify that I have not previously been employed by CDC or by a contractor working directly for CDC.  I understand that CDC does not permit individuals with a prior employment relationship with CDC or its contractors to participate as trainees in the ORISE program. (Exceptions may be granted for individuals who, since the previous CDC employment, have obtained a new STEM degree which necessitates training in a new field.)

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