Health - Environmental Health Community Outreach Internship

Company: Multnomah County
Location: Portland
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity. Pay Range: $16.30 - $30.00 Hourly Department: Health Department Job Type: Intern Exemption Status: United States of America (Non-Exempt) Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified): April 08, 2026 The Opportunity: 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 Does This Position Require Driving a County Vehicle? If so, please explain why and frequency: Yes, for community outreach events and meetings at least 1-2 times per week. A Trimet pass can be provided. A valid driver's license is required to drive county vehicles. Please fill out and submit an application for this position through the form also located on this website . Eligibility requirements and more details found on our College to County website. 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. Education and Minimum Qualifications: 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. Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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. In accordance with Oregon Law , Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials. Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals. Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply. Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711. Questions? Recruiter: Cole Whitehurst Email: cole.whitehurst@multco.us Phone: 1 (971) 2713709 Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice. Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. Job Profile: 8007 - College Intern

Keywords: Multnomah County, Salem , Health - Environmental Health Community Outreach Internship, Healthcare , Portland, Oregon