Health - Vector Control Internship

Multnomah County • Portland, OR

1d • $24 • Hybrid

About The Position

Vector Control Internship
College to County Intern 2026 - Vector Control
Pay Rate: $24 per hour
Job Type: Temporary College Intern
Duration: Summer 2026 - 12 weeks
Hours: 30-40 hours a week 8-4/M-F (schedule is somewhat flexible) Starting in June.
Telework: Hybrid
Building Physical Location: Vector Control, 5235 N Columbia Blvd., Portland, OR 97203
Does This Position Require Driving a County Vehicle? If so, please explain why and frequency: Yes, daily for travel to/from field work locations. TriMet Passes are available if transportation to County facilities is required. Eligibility requirements and more details found on our College to County website.
What Does Vector Control Do?
Multnomah County Vector Control works to better the lives of all people living within Multnomah County through the continued management and mitigation of insect and vertebrate vectors. We believe that all people deserve to live a life free from the threat of vector-borne disease. Working with MCVC provides a real and direct benefit for all people living within our wonderful county. Our program is part of the Health Department and Environmental Health Services. Vector Control monitors, suppresses or maintains at acceptable levels, a range of emerging and existing local public health vector populations in order to improve or sustain community livability and safety. The program also provides community based education in person in a variety of public settings.
Internship Description & Responsibilities: This internship will support the Vector Control program to monitor various vector populations.

Requirements

• Candidates should have completed or enrolled in a college/university academic institution with a public health or science focus.
• Ability to promote a culture of respect, inclusiveness, and appreciation of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and values (Link to Equity and Empowerment Lens)
• Have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to Vector Control worksite (work vehicle will be provided for field work)
• Be able to navigate or find remote field sites using Google maps or similar
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to confidently, comfortably, and respectfully talk with diverse audiences, representing the County in public

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with Google Suite (e.g., Gmail, Calendar, Meet, Drive, Docs, and Slides) is desired but not required

Responsibilities

• Assist in monitoring mosquito populations by collecting adult mosquitoes throughout Multnomah County using various types of traps. Requires the ability to walk over rough terrain for up to 0.5 miles while carrying up to 25 lbs. of equipment.
• Attend in-person community outreach events throughout the County, representing both environmental health and vector control which will require some evenings and weekends. Time will be flexed accordingly.
• Collection of dead birds for disease monitoring and testing which requires training in and use of biohazard protocols.
• Assist with testing of rodents for disease surveillance using AVMA standards for humane treatment and euthanasia. Will involve live trapping of rodents.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed