CDC ATSDR’s Region 10 Office Fellowship

About the role

ATSDR’s Region 10 Office requests to host an ORISE research participant to train on public health activities related to environmental health assessments, data analysis, community engagement, and scientific communication. The appointment will provide structured research and professional development experience for an emerging public health professional. The Region 10 Office includes the Pacific Northwest and Alaska including 271 Tribes and has various hazardous waste sites related to mining, smelting, metal production, lumber or paper processing, and agriculture applications and staff balance multiple concurrent projects.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth literature reviews and analyze large data sets.
• Develop educational materials and evaluate program outcomes.
• Contribute to research-oriented activities while gaining practical experience.
• Participate in community meetings with ATSDR public health professionals, other federal partners, community members, and Tribal representatives to better understand community health concerns and incorporate this information into the evaluation of potential health risks associated with environmental exposures.

Learning Objectives

• Develop clear, accurate technical reports for environmental health projects.
• Analyze and interpret environmental and public health data.
• Prepare, manage, and evaluate large datasets using R, including data visualization techniques.
• Create videos that demonstrate how ATSDR supports communities.
• Collaborate with communications and regional staff to develop effective social media messaging.
• Participate in quality-improvement and program-evaluation projects that inform environmental health practices and services.
• Apply public health assessment methods and interpret environmental exposure data.
• Develop scientific writing and communication skills.
• Learn federal public health operations and emergency response.
• Develop a foundational understanding of how to respectfully engage and collaborate with Tribal Nations.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field received within the past five years.

Preferred Skills

• General environmental health science.
• Environmental chemistry and understanding chemical analytical methods, data analysis, and statistical evaluation.
• Environmental science principles that integrate biology, chemistry, physics, ecology, and social sciences to examine how natural functions intersect with human activities.
• Toxicology: how chemicals can adversely affect human health, including the dose-response relationship.
• Life sciences: how humans and animals function, grow, and reproduce.
• Public health: practice of preventing disease and promoting health at the community or population levels using evidence-based science.
• Community engagement: collaborating with communities to understand and address environmental issues affecting their health and well-being.

Mentor

The mentor for this opportunity is LaVedia Smith (zpn3@cdc.gov).

Appointment details

• Anticipated start date: September 28, 2026; start date is flexible.
• Initial appointment length: one year, renewable upon recommendation of CDC and contingent on the availability of funds.
• Level of participation: full time.
• Citizenship requirement: U.S. citizens only.