Internship - control program

This internship is a remote position with some fieldwork. Applicants must be local to Colorado.

This is a non-employee intern position. No benefits are available.

This is a temporary part-time up to full-time position (minimum 10 hours/week) and will exist for 4 months or less.

This position is not covered by the Partnership Agreement between the State of Colorado and Colorado Workers for Innovative and New Solutions (COWins)

(This posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies and may be extended.)

Make a real difference . . .
Do you have a passion and drive to apply your talent to create a better Colorado? Are you looking for an internship that provides you with opportunities to learn how to improve the world around you? The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is seeking diverse individuals from all backgrounds to apply for a fantastic unpaid internship position that provides experiential learning about improving the lives of Colorado citizens. Our mission is to protect and improve the health of Colorado's people and the quality of its environment.

 
If your goal is to pursue a career upon graduation that makes a difference, consider an internship with the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Our tobacco-free campus offers free parking and is conveniently located near RTD bus lines, the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, Glendale City Set, and the Cherry Creek bike path.

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

Tentative Start Date:

April 15th, 2024 About the Work Unit:

The Prevention Services Division (PSD) is committed to having a workforce reflective of the diverse communities we serve. The Division strives to integrate inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) while encouraging diverse stakeholders' contributions in identifying and solving public health problems. We are committed to providing a respectful, supportive, and inclusive work environment demonstrating our commitment to accepting and respecting all individuals from all communities. The Division is also committed to equitable professional development, collaborative effort, and sustained wellness of its workforce. This position is located in PSD's Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention (HPCDP) Branch. The HPCDP reviews, plans, designs, implements, and evaluates public health chronic disease interventions and related risk factors to advance health and racial equity and improve health-related quality of life for all Coloradans. Special emphasis is placed on evidence-based practices and data-based and evidence-informed decision-making. The Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (CCCCP)  is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (NCCCP) and administered through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to increase cancer prevention and control across the continuum of care - primary prevention, screening, and early detection, and cancer survivorship – particularly among populations of focus who are located in high cancer burden geographic areas within Colorado and/or have been identified as being a member of a disproportionately affected demographic group, including rural, Black, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and Hispanic communities.

Internship Description:

Project Title: Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (CCCCP)  

Project Description:    It’s estimated that there will be 28,920 new cancer cases in Colorado in 2023. According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer has the fifth and sixth highest incidence rates in Colorado for men and women, respectively. For primary prevention, CCCCP (with support from the Built Environment team) is conducting a scan to understand the presence of shade canopy and existing policies. The purpose of the shade canopy project is to complete an environmental scan to understand the landscape for implementing shade canopies to prevent skin cancer and to guide intervention implementation. This work aligns with Colorado Cancer Plan Objective 2.3: Decrease exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation. 

Objectives:

• By June 29, 2024, complete an environmental scan to understand the landscape for implementing shade canopies to prevent skin cancer and to guide intervention implementation. Analyze results of the scan for other organizations and agencies through which education can be delivered.

Deliverables or outcomes:   In alignment with the PSE guideline steps Engage and Scan, use cancer surveillance data to guide the design of the environmental scan. This process includes identifying desired outcomes of the scan, creating a timeline, and identifying and engaging partners to participate in work on expanding shade canopy.

In conjunction with the Built Environment team at CDPHE, conduct a scan with partners, which could include leaders of Parks and Recreation departments, local Public Health Agency staff, community planners, members at the Division of Forestry, and members of the Complete Streets program. Incorporate cancer surveillance data and data from other sources, including the Colorado EnviroScreen Data Mapping Tool, Healthy Kids Colorado Survey and Smart Source into the Environmental Scan results to identify regions in which to focus shade canopy development. Share results of the scan with municipalities and local agencies to show the need for policies about shade canopies.  Analyze results of the scan, as outlined in the Assess step of PSE change. Synthesize results with established best practices for shade canopies to create an action plan with next steps, as described in the Review step of PSE change. The results from the scan will inform the EBI that will be implemented that would improve access to sun safe spaces. EBIs may include planting trees to increase shade, installing cloth shade canopies, or adding sunscreen dispensers in public spaces that are in greatest need for improved sun safety.
Which Public Health Core Competencies skills does the project develop? 
Analytical/Assessment, Cultural Competency, Evidence-based Approaches to Public Health, Planning and Management to Promote Health, Policy Development/Program Planning Minimum Qualifications:
Qualified candidates must be either: Any college student enrolled in an accredited community college, college or university seeking an Associates, Bachelors,  Masters or Ph.D. degree program  in environmental design, biology, epidemiology, nursing, public health, or closely related planning and healthcare fields.

  OR A recent college graduate. Recently graduated means the individual should have attended an accredited college or university and have graduated with an Associates, Bachelors, Masters or Ph.D. degree in environmental design, biology, epidemiology, nursing, public health within  three calendar years (include transcripts). College Transcripts:
If you are using education to qualify, a legible copy of your official or unofficial college transcript(s) or a foreign credential evaluation report must be submitted with your application. Transcripts must show the name of the school and that a degree was conferred. Transcripts from colleges or universities outside of the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. Failure to provide a transcript or foreign credential evaluation report may result in your application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the selection process for this position.  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledgeable with social determinants of health, chronic diseases and their risk factors, and health-related disparities for people of color and people with low socioeconomic positions. 

• Experience with community-based coalitions or organizations, demonstrated by the ability to work with extensive partners to achieve a common goal.

• Ability to gather relevant information; identify and analyze problems; and use sound reasoning to arrive at conclusions.

• Ability to determine objectives and strategies; set priorities; and coordinate with others.

• Takes the initiative to act on and follow through on work activities.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to speak and write clearly and concisely.

• Ability to demonstrate awareness of technologies and use technology effectively.

Conditions of employment:

• Pursuant to CDPHE policy, a background check is required for all positions at CDPHE.
• Signed Non-Employee Confidentiality Agreement is required
• If you will be using this internship for academic credit, a Signed Affiliation Agreement is required between CDPHE and your University. 

Supplemental Information:

A complete application packet must include:

• A completed State of Colorado application.
• A resume. 
• If you are using education to qualify, a copy of your official or unofficial transcript showing that your degree has been conferred and the name of your school, or your NACES accreditation. Please submit this as an attachment to your online application.

The Selection Process

1. All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed. Candidates who are selected for further consideration will proceed to the next step and all applicants will be notified by email of their status at each step of the process.

ADAAA Accommodations:

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Dan McKenna, at or call , option 5.