What are the responsibilities and job description for the CDC Environmental Health Natural Hazards Response position at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)?
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
CDC Office and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice (DEHSP) of 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.
Project Description: This opportunity provides a mentored learning experience focused on the development of a strategic evaluation plan for environmental health programs to strengthen understanding of public health evaluation approaches and environmental health practice. The participant will engage in research and training activities related to a rural health resilience article, gaining experience in literature synthesis, scientific communication, and community resilience concepts. The opportunity also includes participation in the development of an extreme heat and community health center education toolkit, providing exposure to public health education strategies, environmental health preparedness, and the translation of scientific information into community-focused resources.
Learning Objectives: Through this mentored research experience, the participant will gain training in environmental health science and practice with an emphasis on natural hazards preparedness, public health program evaluation, partnership engagement, and applied research methods. The participant will develop knowledge and practical skills in conducting literature reviews, synthesizing scientific and public health information, reviewing and interpreting data sources, and translating public health concepts into educational materials, reports, presentations, and data visualization content. Additional learning experiences include participating in project discussions, reviewing background resources, contributing to the refinement of article and toolkit content, and collaborating on the development of communication materials and dashboard concepts. By the conclusion of the appointment, the participant is expected to strengthen competencies in scientific communication, research collaboration, evaluation planning, and the application of environmental health principles to community resilience initiatives.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Ayana Perkins (vzt8@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 1, 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, 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 CDCrpp@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.