CDC Ambassador for Suite of Online GIS Tools for Chronic Disease Surveillance

*Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis and applications may close before the deadline.

CDC Office and Location: This opportunity is available with the Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, in the Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (DHDSP), within the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) 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 protects 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. CDC increases the health security of our nation. As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. To accomplish its mission, CDC conducts important science and provides health information that protects our nation against expensive and dangerous health threats, and responds when these arise.

Research Project: Under the guidance of a mentor, you will have the opportunity to learn about CDC’s online suite of GIS tools for chronic disease surveillance and learn how these tools are used by a wide range of public health organizations and stakeholders. You will gain experience learning about the initiative “See the Maps to Close the Gaps,” which highlights how CDC’s online mapping tools can be used to examine chronic disease patterns and priorities in communities across the United States. There will be opportunities to learn approaches used to communicate GIS and surveillance findings to diverse public health audiences.

The suite of online GIS tools comprises: the Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke, Local Trends Dashboard, Map Widget, Quick Maps, Map Gallery, and Rate Stabilizing Tools.

Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor you will have the opportunity to: 

• Learn how to apply CDC's suite of GIS and online mapping tools to:
  • Conduct spatial and epidemiological analysis to document geographic patterns of heart disease, stroke, and their risk factors at the county and/or census-tract level
  • Learn how data integration techniques can be used to support analyses involving multiple data sources and public health partners
  • Use data-driven analytical methods to examine community health characteristics and geographic patterns related to chronic disease
  • Gain experience developing case-study analyses using multi-layered spatial datasets (e.g., mortality, risk factors, proximity to health care facilities, community characteristics)
• Gain technical experience applying GIS methodologies and chronic disease surveillance systems, including learning how GIS methodologies and chronic disease surveillance systems are applied by a broad range of public health organizations such as:
  • State and local health departments
  • Recipients of CDC funding for the prevention of heart disease and stroke
  • Tribal Epidemiology Centers
  • Health Systems
  • Community Organizations
  • Academic Institutions
• Gain exposure to scientific communication approaches used to communicate GIS and surveillance findings to public health audiences and learn how different communication formats are used to convey spatial and epidemiologic information
• Gain understanding of how public health organizations use GIS and surveillance information to examine chronic disease patterns and inform public health planning activities.
• Learn approaches used to evaluate GIS tools, data sources, analytical methods, and visualization techniques used in chronic disease surveillance through:
  • Gain exposure to approaches used to assess online mapping tools, technologies, and geospatial applications used in public health surveillance
  • Learn how public health organizations assess data and mapping needs among diverse audiences
  • Learning how public health data are used to examine priority health topics in chronic disease prevention
  • Gain experience conducting literature reviews related to mapping methodologies and data visualization techniques
  • Participate in other learning activities focused on GIS applications and spatial analysis methods used in chronic disease surveillance

• Gain experience with data and scientific information management systems, including learning about quality control approaches used for data visualizations and scientific communication materials.

  Learning and Experience Benefits

• Gain firsthand knowledge of the technical and analytical approaches used by funded recipients conducting chronic disease prevention activities.
• Develop skills in communicating complex scientific and spatial data to various audiences
• Become familiar with partners specializing in chronic disease prevention, management, and control, with an emphasis on data-driven public health strategies
• Gain experience in the scientific review process of data visualizations and reference citations, strengthening skills in research quality assurance

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Michele Casper (myc5@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: November 20, 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The 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 Participation: The appointment is full time.

Participant Stipend: Stipend rates may vary based on numerous factors, including opportunity, location, education, and experience. If you are interviewed, you can inquire about the exact stipend rate at that time and if selected, your appointment offer will include the monthly stipend rate.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

ORISE Information: This 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.

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