Public Health Spring and Summer Intern

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Public Health is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2027 Public Health Spring and Summer Internship Program.

This internship is designed to provide meaningful, hands-on experience within a local health department. Interns may work alongside public health professionals to support core public health functions such as disease prevention, emergency preparedness, community engagement, and health promotion initiatives across Montgomery County.

The intern will support healthcare-associated infection (HAI) surveillance, outbreak response, and prevention activities within the Division of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention. Responsibilities will include assisting with outbreak monitoring in long-term care facilities, supporting disease investigations and surveillance activities, completing data entry and case documentation, and developing program tools and educational materials. The intern will collaborate with healthcare providers, infection preventionists, healthcare facility staff, and community partners to support infection prevention and public health response efforts.

The intern will support foodborne disease surveillance, investigation, and prevention activities within the Division of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention. Responsibilities will include assisting with illness complaint follow-up, supporting Salmonella and Campylobacter case investigations, conducting patient interviews, and providing foodborne illness prevention guidance. The intern will communicate with healthcare providers, residents, and community partners, support data entry and case documentation activities, and assist with the development of program tools, quick-reference guides, and communication materials.

The intern will support perinatal hepatitis B surveillance, case management, and prevention activities within the Division of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention. Responsibilities will include assisting with follow-up of hepatitis B-positive pregnant individuals and exposed infants, conducting phone outreach to patients and healthcare providers, supporting care coordination, and completing data entry, case documentation, and quality assurance activities.  

The intern will support sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV prevention and control activities within the Division of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention. Responsibilities will include assisting with disease surveillance, provider follow-up, case documentation, data entry, and data quality activities. The intern will support condom distribution initiatives, including the Mail Me Condoms program, inventory management, and preparation of prevention materials. The intern may also assist with educational materials, outreach activities, and other program initiatives that support STI and HIV prevention efforts.

The intern will support ongoing preparedness activities. Responsibilities include supporting the development and improvement of emergency response and other plans, supporting the planning and execution of initiatives such as Community Vaccination and Potassium Iodine Distribution (KI), and supporting emergency response initiatives such as infectious disease outbreaks, and other duties as needed. Internship will be hybrid with interns expected to be in-person at least one day per week. In-person expectations may be increased based on the requirements of assigned projects. This is an unpaid opportunity. 

The intern will support healthy food access initiatives within Health Promotion and Aging Services. Responsibilities include assisting with the development and delivery of nutrition and garden education programs throughout the County, supporting the Norristown community garden through volunteer coordination and onsite programming, and participating in food demonstrations by researching healthy recipes, preparing materials, and distributing food samples. The intern will also assist with program evaluation development and support food safety monitoring programs that are done in collaboration with the Office of Aging Services. This may include assessing hygiene practices, food temperatures, food quality, and client satisfaction.

• Additional placements may be available based on division needs.

Applicants must be currently pursuing a bachelor's degree or higher in Public Health, Environmental Science, Epidemiology, Health Policy, Health Education, Emergency Management, or a related field through an accredited college or university. 

While this is an unpaid internship, we will assist students in completing requirements to obtain academic credit. Specific start and end date will be determined in coordination with supervisors. 

Additional Requirements:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office or similar software.
• Interns are required to submit the following clearances: Child Abuse History Clearance, PA Criminal Record History, and FBI Fingerprint Clearance.
• Onsite in-person attendance is required as directed by Supervisor or Administrator.