Urban Health Policy Fellow

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH), with some 900 staff and a budget of $350 million, promotes and protects the health of all Philadelphians and provides a safety net for the most vulnerable.  The agency leads programs to prevent communicable diseases; prevent chronic diseases and promote healthy behaviors; prevent environmental health risks; investigate outbreaks of disease; respond to public health emergencies; and promote the health of women, children, and families.  In addition, the department operates eight primary care clinics.  PDPH has been on the vanguard of public health, proposing policy solutions to problems like smoking, gun violence, and opioid overdose deaths, and intends to continue that tradition with creative solutions to both long-standing urban health problems and new crises.  Most recently, PDPH has taken the lead on the City of Philadelphia’s response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

Job Description

Position Summary

Urban Health Policy Fellows will work on priority health issues that the City is facing.  Examples include opioid addiction and overdose, smoking, obesity, HIV, lead poisoning, childhood asthma, and innovative use of electronic health record data. Fellows will work on teams addressing issues such as these, and will be assigned specific projects that help the agency understand the problem, engage with stakeholders, develop policy solutions, recruit support for interventions, and/or implement policies.

To ensure that the experience is broad, Fellows will rotate among different Divisions in the health department over the two-year program.  In addition, Fellows will learn about the entire agency by attending management meetings and participating in small-group sessions with internal and external public health experts

Essential Functions

Urban Health Policy Fellows will work directly with senior leaders of one of the nation’s most innovative health departments on high priority projects, while receiving on-the-job training in public health policy development.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrate interest in public health topics.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to contribute and coordinate work in a team
• Ability to learn quickly and take initiative on individual projects
• Strong attention to detail
• Proficiency in data analysis, including basic concepts in epidemiology and statistic
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel); previous use of analytical software like SAS a plus

Qualifications

Completion of a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited college or university in Public Health, Global Health, or Community Health within the last two years (or before July 1, 2025).

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.

Salary: $48,000

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 6 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that  are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected].

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx