Health Co-Benefits Evaluator Intern
Internship Opportunity
This is an unpaid opportunity in the Office of Environmental Public Health Sciences for up to two current students.
The Climate and Health section was formed in 2019 as part of the Environmental Public Health Division at the Washington State Department of Health. This section works at the intersection of public health and climate change with expertise in climate justice, wildfire smoke, harmful algal blooms, community design, and disease vectors.
The Health Co-Benefits Evaluator will support one of the key goals of the Climate and Health section; to integrate carbon reduction and climate resilience into long range planning. This will include engagement with local planning guidance, climate projections, and public health literature.
Description of duties to be performed:
- The intern will review draft guidance from the Washington State Department of Commerce (COM) focusing on climate change mitigation and adaptation actions cities and counties can take to address climate change in their comprehensive plans.
- The intern will work with their mentor to identify 3-5 mitigation actions for a health co-benefits evaluation.
- Students will be encouraged to explore not just actions proposed by DOH, but actions proposed by other agencies that may have health co-benefits or impacts as well as explore their own concepts.
- Students will use the strength of evidence criteria developed by the Washington State Board of Health, criteria from USGCRP National Climate Assessment, or methods used in CDC’s Climate and Health Intervention Assessment to systematically evaluate the health co-benefits of the interventions.
- Depending on the qualifications and interests of the student they may also assess economic impacts of the interventions.
- The Health Co-Benefits Evaluator will work 20 hours a week for eight weeks – this can be negotiated to make sure the project meets practicum, capstone, or other school requirements.
Role and Responsibilities:
Deliverables:
- Review draft guidance from COM on climate change mitigation and adaptation for local planners
- Identify 3-5 adaptation measures that are likely to have significant health co-benefits in consultation with DOH staff
- Conduct a structured review of the evidence using one of the frameworks listed
- Turn in a draft white paper detailing health co-benefit of the mitigation or adaptation measures selected focusing on content that will be useful for local planners
- Create and deliver a one-hour presentation to climate and health stakeholders at an event to be determined by students/DOH staff.
Requirements:
Current Master’s or PhD student at an accredited university studying public health, urban design and planning, economics, or related field.
Note: In accordance with Governor Jay Inslee’s August 10, 2021, Proclamation 21-14 (COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement) we are requiring all interns, fellows, and volunteers to meet the requirement to be fully vaccinated before their start date. Proof of vaccination will be verified by the Office of Human Resources after being identified to fill the opportunity. Please reach out to the Office of Human Resources, Workforce Development at WFD@doh.wa.gov or Annette Parker at annette.parker@doh.wa.gov if you need information on a medical or religious accommodation.
Desired Qualifications:
Experience with any of the following: climate change, literature review, public policy, comprehensive planning, public health assessment, policy analysis, public health assessment.
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, telework (mobile-work) is expected. An appropriate schedule and balance including telework.
- Working knowledge of: Internet use, virtual meetings, MS Office products – Word, Publisher, Excel, social media content creation and dissemination.
- Able to work 10-30 hours per week.