Health - Environmental Health Community Outreach Internship

Multnomah County • Portland, OR

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Environmental Health Community Outreach Internship
Healthy Homes and Communities - Health Department
Pay Rate: $24 per hour
Job Type: Temporary College Intern
Duration: Summer 2026 - starting in June for 12-14 weeks
Hours: 32 hours a week (potential weekend work required)
Telework: Hybrid
Building Physical Location: Lloyd Corporate Plaza 847 NE 19th Ave. Suite 350 Portland, Oregon 97232

What Does Environmental Health Services’ Healthy Homes and Communities Unit Do?
Environmental Health Services (EHS) is part of the Public Health Division in the Health Department. The Healthy Homes and Communities Team develops programs and advances policies that foster healthy and safe communities. We work to limit exposures to hazardous physical, chemical, biological and other environmental agents that may negatively impact health. Healthy Homes and Communities’ programs address a variety of environmental risks, such air pollution, lead poisoning, fish consumption, housing, and climate change. Outreach and community engagement are key strategies to offer information and resources to the public. You’ll be working with staff whose work is grounded in an environmental justice and racial equity lens, which will direct your community engagement efforts during this internship.

Internship Description & Responsibilities:
The primary responsibilities (50%) for this internship will be to conduct community outreach and engagement efforts: Support program staff in doing community outreach and engagement for different programs to promote environmental health. Interpret and present health and scientific information into clear, accessible, and concise messaging for the general public. Employ culturally specific health communication strategies and methods to influence diverse audiences and affect change on various environmental health topics. There will be 5-6 weeks to participate in outreach, as scheduled, about 8-16 hours a week, including weekends. In addition to community outreach events, project options are available for an intern to choose from. They will choose one project as their focus during the internship based on their interests and abilities (30%): Assist in field research for a Photovoice project Work respectfully and sensitively with houseless/housing insecure people in Multnomah County that fish. Document participants’ experiences about the topic areas. Develop presentations and project narratives for dissemination and grant reporting. There will be between 4-8 weeks to participate in this project during the internship, about 8-10 hours a week. Assist in engagement with communities in urban heat islands . Research the effects of extreme heat and interventions to address heat resilience focus areas in Multnomah County. Develop a resource guide tailored to specific audiences and geographical areas. Participate in planning next steps for partnership development and intervention design. There will be between 4-8 weeks to participate in this project during the internship, about 8-10 hours a week. Participants are expected to attend College 2 County professional development events. Additionally, they are expected to use some of their time to pursue professional relationships with the County or field of study (20%).

Learning Outcomes:
During this internship you can expect to: Develop a personal health equity practice to advance equity within the community and with health department staff. Learn about emerging local environmental health topics such as air pollution, climate change, fish toxics, lead poisoning, and vector control. Connect with key staff who can deepen your understanding of environmental health, public health, and public service. Connect community outreach and health promotion to measurable benefits for both the health department and the wider community. Deliver and receive valuable feedback on strengths and areas for improvement to build relationships within the county and community.

Requirements

• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Candidates must be enrolled in a college/university academic institution or have recently graduated within the last year.
• Ability to promote a culture of respect, inclusiveness, and cultivate diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and values ( Link to Equity and Empowerment Lens ).
• Ability to confidently, comfortably, and respectfully talk with diverse audiences, representing the County in public.

Nice To Haves

• Ideal candidates are enrolled in a public health or medical program or are interested in careers in public health, education, or communications.
• Proficiency in a second language is desired but not required.
• Experience with outreach to culturally specific populations is desired but not required.
• Familiarity with Google Suite (e.g., Gmail, Calendar, Meet, Drive, Docs, and Slides) and Adobe is desired but not required.

Responsibilities

• Support program staff in doing community outreach and engagement for different programs to promote environmental health.
• Interpret and present health and scientific information into clear, accessible, and concise messaging for the general public.
• Employ culturally specific health communication strategies and methods to influence diverse audiences and affect change on various environmental health topics.
• Assist in field research for a Photovoice project Work respectfully and sensitively with houseless/housing insecure people in Multnomah County that fish. Document participants’ experiences about the topic areas. Develop presentations and project narratives for dissemination and grant reporting.
• Assist in engagement with communities in urban heat islands . Research the effects of extreme heat and interventions to address heat resilience focus areas in Multnomah County. Develop a resource guide tailored to specific audiences and geographical areas. Participate in planning next steps for partnership development and intervention design.
• Attend College 2 County professional development events.
• Pursue professional relationships with the County or field of study

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees