OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & ENGAGEMENT

Volunteer Internships

The California Department of Public Health’s Volunteer Internship Program supports students and working professionals seeking experience in the field of public health. Volunteer internships are offered in three cycles with placement availability determined by the needs of the Department. Internship placements are matched to align with the intern’s academic and professional goals

Eligibility

Open to college students at all grade levels (must be at least 18 years old)
Open to graduate and post-graduate students
Open to non-student adults seeking experience in a new field
No enrollment or residency requirements

Duration

Volunteer internships typically have a duration of 3 to 4 months, working 12 to 20 hours per week. Generally, the timeline of the volunteer internship cycle aligns with the paid internship program, with an additional cycle during the summer. The duration of each volunteer internship is not fixed, as it is determined through discussions with the potential host during the interview process. All volunteer work must take place during regular CDPH hours, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

How to Apply

To apply for a volunteer position, candidates submit a current resume and a cover letter explaining their passion for public health, along with their top three CDPH programs of interest, to CDPHInternships@cdph.ca.gov. An overview of the different CDPH programs may be found on the CDPH homepage.

Volunteer FAQs

What does the volunteer selection process look like?

Volunteer applications are collected continuously throughout the year, with designated application windows for the spring, summer, and fall cycles. At the end of an application window, all applications are reviewed for quality and completeness. Qualified applicants are sent a supplementary survey to reconfirm interest and collect additional details and information. Those submissions are evaluated, and the qualifying applications are advanced to the CDPH Volunteer Talent Pool, where CDPH employees review qualifications and select candidates they wish to interview. Once interviewed, a candidate may be accepted and placed with a host or returned to the Volunteer Talent Pool as an available candidate. At the end of the recruitment window, the Talent Pool is deactivated, and the next cycle begins.

How many volunteers are placed each cycle?

The number of volunteer placements vary each cycle and is determined by the needs of the Department.

Can I work remotely as a volunteer?

Yes, CDPH offers onsite, hybrid, and remote internships. At this time, most internships are remote. Hybrid and onsite internships are available primarily at the Sacramento East End Complex, Natomas (North Sacramento) Campus, and Richmond Lab.

What kind of projects do volunteer interns work on?

Interns work on a wide variety of projects in many different public health, IT and data science disciplines. The specific duties depend on the host and office where an intern is assigned, ranging anywhere from communication projects to data analysis. Ultimately, a typical day as a CDPH intern provides valuable career experience and helps build the skills that are necessary for success in a public health workplace.

Can I get academic credit for a volunteer internship?

Volunteer interns can receive academic credit at the discretion of their academic program. If an affiliation agreement or other paperwork is required to receive academic credit, intern hosts are responsible for signing those forms once a placement is finalized. Please check with your school or program before applying/accepting the position.

Does a volunteer internship count for practicum credit?

The CDPH Internship Program does not organize individual practicum placements. If a volunteer candidate advances to the interview stage, details may be discussed with the potential host to determine compatibility with practicum requirements. Since each placement is unique and created at the discretion of the volunteer host, we cannot guarantee practicum credit. We encourage candidates consult with their academic or major program advisor for guidance.