CDC Global Health Communications Fellow

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

CDC Office and Location: A research opportunity is available in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) located in Atlanta, Georgia.

Selected candidates must either live within a 50 mile radius of and approved CDC duty location or be able to relocate before the start of the appointment. 

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.

Research Project:  CDC’s Division of Global Health Protection (DGHP) is seeking a Global Health Communications ORISE Fellow, who enjoys a fast-paced environment and is seeking a fellowship experience in communications planning and execution to join a team  of qualified, diverse individuals in developing and defining the global communications strategy for the nation’s leading public health agency. 

The qualified candidate will apply communications strategies and tactics in support of Division priorities and programmatic goals and will be responsible for leading the implementation of a wide array of internal and external communication projects. This position will provide writing, editing and coordination  support to the Communication Team related to CDC’s global health security efforts. Specifically, this fellowship will provide experience  in the areas of communication planning, message development, media relations, feature writing, materials development, creative direction, event planning and other related projects.  

Learning Objectives: The participant will gain experience in and learn how to:

• Support development and distribution of division-wide routine communications (e.g., newsletters, blogs, fact sheets, briefing documents, success stories, intranet, and external website content)
• Support team’s media relations activities to include assisting in the development of press materials (e.g., press releases and media kits), media coordination and response
• Support development of social media tactics
• Support with program management such as tracking activities and deliverables using Excel spreadsheets or other tools as needed
• Help  to translate scientific information into easy-to-understand language for non-scientific audiences.
• Respond to inquiries or information requests from headquarters and the field and provide written responses
• Provide project management support to a team of communication strategists, health communicators and creative specialists

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Faith Carmichael (gjp3@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: April 8, 2024. 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 and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) 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 ORISE.CDC.GHC@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a  bachelor's or master's degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five year or to be received by February 29, 2024.

Preferred experience and skills:

• 1 year of experience in or out of an educational setting
• 1 year of experience in the field of communications, including experience developing and executing broad range of communication and media strategies
• Some experience developing presentations/slide sets
• Ability to multi-task effectively without sacrificing quality
• Strong critical and creative thinker
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team
• An energetic, self-driven, conscientious and organized team player
• Excellent written and communications skills
• Experience in global health or public health preferred, but not mandatory
• Experience in journalism

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 2/29/2024 12:00:00 AM.