CDC Partnerships and Performance Improvement Evaluation Fellow

Reference Code: CDC-2026-0031

About the Organization

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the major operational components of the Department of Health and Human Services. CDC protects America from health, safety, and security threats, both foreign and domestic. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, human error or deliberate attack, CDC fights disease and supports communities and citizens to do the same. CDC increases the health security of our nation. As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. To accomplish its mission, CDC conducts critical science and provides health information that protects the nation against expensive and dangerous health threats, responding when these arise.

The Division of Partnership Support (DPS) leverages partnerships to support CDC in developing the capacity of the public health system and state, tribal, local, and territorial (STLT) departments of health to sustain and strengthen public health foundational, infrastructure, and workforce capabilities. The Partnerships and Performance Improvement Branch (PPIB) enhances quality and performance of STLT health departments through innovative systems improvement.

About the Role

One evaluation and research opportunity is available with the Partnerships and Performance Improvement Branch (PPIB), Division of Partnership Support (DPS) within the National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce (PHIC), located in Atlanta, Georgia.

This opportunity focuses on evaluation, performance improvement assessments, and implementation of capacity-building projects related to the Branch’s mission to leverage partnerships that improve the performance of public health systems. You will be mentored by senior evaluation staff and PPIB leadership, focusing on evaluating projects, processes, and activities across the branch.

Learning Objectives

• Strengthen skills in performance measurement and applied evaluation by training in the design and implementation of evaluation frameworks for cross-cutting and complex public health programs.
• Develop skills in providing proactive and responsive consultation on evaluation design, methods, and use across PPIB performance improvement projects, including exposure to evaluating collaborative activities with partners, strategy implementation, and programs aimed at advancing public health performance improvement in STLT health departments.
• Gain experience with accreditation evaluation and data management efforts by helping build and analyze datasets on accreditation outcomes and organizational capacity, while developing skills in synthesizing findings into clear, audience-ready products like reports, briefs, and presentations.
• Gain exposure to innovative tools and practices and develop skills in partnership mapping and leveraging artificial intelligence to support evaluation, data analysis, and organizational improvement.
• Build collaboration and scientific communication skills through participation in multidisciplinary discussions, partner engagements, and professional meetings.

Qualifications

• The qualified candidate should have received a master's or doctoral degree in a relevant field within the past five years.
• U.S. citizenship is required.

Preferred Skills

• Skills in program evaluation (performance monitoring, evaluation planning and design), project management, and implementation of science-based data collection activities (qualitative and quantitative), and data analysis.
• Strong science communication skills, both written and oral.
• Experience in logic modeling, synthesizing scientific evidence, and supporting the development of research and data collection tools.
• Ability to collaborate with other scientific and professional staff.

Appointment Details

• Anticipated Start Date: September 2026 (flexible depending on various factors).
• Appointment Length: Initially for one year, renewable upon recommendation and contingent on the availability of funds.
• Level of Participation: Full-time.
• Stipend: Rates vary based on opportunity, location, education, and experience. Exact stipend will be provided during the interview process or in the appointment offer.

Requirements

• Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program.
• Participants must comply with Environmental, Safety, and Health (ES&H) requirements of the hosting facility, including COVID-19 protocols (e.g., facial covering, physical distancing, testing, vaccination).