New York State Department of Health Announces Open Positions with State's Pioneering Public Health Corps

New York State Public Health Corps Fellows Serve on the Front Lines of Health care Across the State

New Yorkers with a Passion for Health and Community are Encouraged to Apply Here

ALBANY , N.Y. ( February 7, 2023) –The New York State Department of Health issued an update today on the State's ongoing efforts to recruit fellows into the New York State Public Health Corps (NYSPHC), a first-in-the-nation program created to strengthen local and statewide workforce capacities to better respond to future public health emergencies.

The NYSPHC fellows work on a variety of public health projects, including support for the state's continuing COVID-19 response and recovery, and other work that reinforces the state's preparedness for future public health emergencies, like those experienced during the recent mpox outbreak and polio response. The program also enables fellows to build connections, educate on key strategies and effectively communicate with New Yorkers during public health emergencies.

"Public health is a challenging, exciting field and it's encouraging to see the amount of interest in the New York State Public Health Corps from New Yorkers and local health departments," Acting State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "The emergence of viral threats like COVID-19 demonstrate we must be prepared and rise to the challenge of these public health emergencies. Protecting public health starts in our communities with New Yorkers who are willing to use and enhance their talents and expertise to help advance our state's public health agenda."

The NYSPHC has now identified more than 500 open fellow positions across the state, with many local health departments actively recruiting or preparing to recruit NYSPHC Fellows. The NYSPHC Program is an excellent opportunity for college and advanced degree graduates interested in public health to transition from the classroom into the workforce. Individuals with training in public health, medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacology/pharmacy, allied health, social services, communications and information technology, logistics planning, education, and emergency health programs are encouraged to apply.

Some projects NYSPHC Fellows have worked on include the Department's nation-leading wastewater surveillance program, which was recently expanded to increase disease monitoring capabilities across New York State. Fellows have also launched their own innovative community health initiatives, including the Schenectady Menstrual Health Coalition's period pantries in Schenectady County.

When selected for the NYSPHC Program, fellows can invest in professional development opportunities, including the Public Health Essentials Certificate Program, which was created by Cornell University's Master of Public Health Program. This innovative experiential learning course taught by Cornell University professors aims to equip learners from diverse professional and educational backgrounds with the tools and skills needed to excel in the field of public health. This benefit is provided to all NYSPHC Fellows at no cost.

The NYSPHC was established in 2021 in response to the emergent needs presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among New York's ongoing strategies to reimagine its public health workforce are Governor Hochul's continuous investments in the state's public health infrastructure and her commitment to rebuild and expand the healthcare workforce by 20 percent over the following four years.

"Governor Hochul continues to demonstrate her administration's commitment to supporting New York's local public health infrastructure," New York State Association of County Health Officials Diane Devlin, Public Health Director, Wayne County and Board Director, the New York State Association of County Health Officials said. "The Fellows to be deployed as part of the Public Health Corps represent another positive step toward ensuring local public health departments have the resources, they need to meet their many responsibilities. We look forward to working more with the Governor to continue this progress and together rebuild our public health system to one that is sustainable and ready to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow."

Applications are still open! The Department would like to congratulate all summer and fall 2022 graduates and encourage them, as well as expected spring 2023 graduates, to apply to join the New York State Public Health Corps today. The NYSPHC Program is an excellent opportunity for any graduate who is interested in public health and is preparing to transition from the classroom into the workforce.

The NYSPHC Program is also looking for volunteers to mentor fellows. Mentors will serve as role models and provide support and guidance to Fellows. Mentors can be current public health professionals or individuals who have experience working in public health at the local, state, or federal level. All individuals interested in serving as a mentor are encouraged to complete the Mentor Nomination Form available on the NYSPHC website.

For more information on which counties are recruiting for NYSPHC Fellows and to apply visit www.ny.gov/publichealthcorps.