Location: Chicago, IL - Hybrid
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is spearheading a transformative, multi-million-dollar initiative to strengthen the state's public health infrastructure through the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG). This critical federal investment is centered around three foundational pillars: Workforce Development, Foundational Capabilities Enhancement, and Data Modernization. These efforts aim to reshape public health delivery across Illinois, ensuring healthier communities for generations to come.
As a Public Health Project Management Intern within the Director’s Office, you will be at the forefront of this transformation. This role offers a unique opportunity to directly contribute to statewide initiatives while gaining executive-level exposure and hands-on experience in large-scale program management.
Designed specifically for graduate students in MPH programs, this internship bridges academic learning with practical application. You will gain invaluable experience in areas such as:
- Systems thinking
- Evidence-based decision making
- Policy implementation
- Cross-sector collaboration
Your work will directly support public health infrastructure improvements and align with core MPH curriculum areas, including health policy and management, epidemiology, and community health practice.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Project Planning and Coordination
- Develop detailed project plans, timelines, and milestone tracking for PHIG initiatives
- Maintain clear and organized project documentation to support transparency and accountability
- Conduct research and synthesize evidence to inform decision-making
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth execution of projects
Performance Monitoring and Evaluation
- Monitor key performance indicators across PHIG’s core pillars
- Prepare executive-level reports and presentations for senior leadership
- Support data collection and analysis to drive program improvements
- Contribute to federal reporting and compliance efforts
Financial Management and Oversight
- Assist in budget tracking and financial reporting for grant activities
- Support fiscal monitoring to ensure efficient use of resources
- Participate in planning and forecasting related to PHIG funding
- Learn best practices in managing federally funded public health programs
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
- Facilitate meetings with internal teams and external partners
- Prepare meeting materials, take minutes, and track follow-ups
- Develop communication materials tailored to varied audiences
- Coordinate outreach efforts for statewide infrastructure initiatives
Qualifications:
- Currently pursuing a graduate-level public health degree at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health, the Loyola University Chicago Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health, the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine MPH program, or the University of Chicago Public Health Sciences.
- Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to create clear and compelling documents.
- Passionate about public health systems and infrastructure.
- Interested in project management, policy, and organizational development.
- Eager to apply academic knowledge to real-world challenges.
- Comfortable in dynamic, collaborative work environments.
- Detail-oriented with strong analytical and communication skills.
- Committed to advancing health equity and improving community well-being through systems change.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Ability to work approximately 10-15 hours a week.
Duration and Compensation:
This is an unpaid internship with flexible scheduling options to accommodate academic commitments. This is a hybrid position in Chicago, Illinois for 10-15 hours a week. Academic credit may be available depending on your institution's guidelines.
The deadline for this application is Monday, October 13, 2025, at 12 PM.
Apply here
