CDC Climate and Health Fellowship

The CDC Climate and Health Fellowship at Zintellect, located in Atlanta, GA, offers an ORISE opportunity within the Climate and Health Program. The fellowship focuses on synthesizing and communicating information about climate impacts on health and adaptation strategies. Participants will collaborate on projects, develop communication products, and assist in translating research findings for broader audiences. The role aims to empower communities to prepare for health challenges posed by climate change. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

CDC Office and Location: This ORISE fellowship opportunity is currently available in the Climate and Health Program in the Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice (DEHSP) within the National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the major operation components of the Department of Health and Human Services. CDC works to protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. 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.

The Climate and Health Program (CHP) leads CDC’s efforts to enable communities to prepare for and respond to the health impacts of climate change. CHP’s vision is to be the national leader in empowering communities to protect human health from a changing climate. The Program uses three main strategies to achieve this:
• BUILD THE EVIDENCE BASE: By evaluating health risks, impacts, and solutions, we build the knowledge base to support community adaptation and resilience. Communities have a shared understanding of the health impact of climate change. This stimulates partners to collaborate and develop effective solutions that reduce health risks.
• EXPAND CAPACITY: We build and grow collaborations that expand capacities across sectors to respond to health issues in a changing climate. CDC cultivates a diverse portfolio of training, tools, and resources to equip partners at every level to develop unique adaptation strategies. This mobilizes communities across the nation to make adaptation decisions to protect health.
• TELL THE STORY: By telling the story about how a changing climate changes health, CDC provides the impetus for dialogue, choices, and actions across the nation. CDC’s framing of health risks and solutions illustrates how adaptation benefits physical, social, and economic well-being.

Research Project: The participant will collaborate across the various teams in the Climate and Health Program, including science, translation evaluation, and communications. In this role, the participant will primarily engage in ongoing and new projects related to synthesizing and communicating information on the climate impacts on health, recipient activities, and adaptation and evaluation strategies. The participant will closely track the activities being undertaken by recipients of the Climate Ready States and Cities Initiative (CRSCI) through NOFO EH21-2101.

Learning Objectives: The participant is expected to be involved in the following learning activities:
• Support the development of communication products that synthesize scientific and program activity information for dissemination to audiences within and outside the CDC
• Assist in conceptualizing, planning, and implementing projects related to the impact of climate hazards on human health and adaptation strategies
• Support efforts within CDC as well as climate and health partners to translate research findings into communication materials that can inform health risk communication
• Support the coordination and planning of ongoing communities of practice (e.g., evaluation and heat) and quarterly all-recipient calls for the CRSCI partners)

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Claudia Brown (wyn3@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: July 1, 2024. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of CDC and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of Participation: The appointment is full time or part time.

Participant Stipend: Stipend rates may vary based on numerous factors, including opportunity, location, education, and experience. If you are interviewed, you can inquire about the exact stipend rate at that time and if selected, your appointment offer will include the monthly stipend rate.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.

ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and CDC. Participants do not become employees of CDC, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

The successful applicant(s) will be required to comply with Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) requirements of the hosting facility, including but not limited to, COVID-19 requirements (e.g. facial covering, physical distancing, testing, vaccination).

Questions: Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process please email ORISE.CDC.NCEH@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.