CDC Environmental Health Knowledge Management Fellowship

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

CDC opportunity in Atlanta, GA, hosted by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. Fellows will develop and modernize online environmental health training materials, collaborating with CDC staff and STLT partners to enhance workforce development and preparedness.

The role emphasizes training under mentorship, creating engaging learning experiences, and evaluating training effectiveness in a national public health context.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in public health or closely related field; degree received within past five years or currently pursuing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for public health practitioners.
• Experience or coursework in environmental health, emergency preparedness, or health education.

Responsibilities

• Review and update EHTER course content, objectives, exercises and materials.
• Develop online learning components: scripts, storyboards, quizzes, scenarios, job aids.
• Translate technical environmental health information into learner-centered content.
• Collaborate with SMEs and instructional designers to create effective online learning.
• Strengthen QA of training materials for accuracy, usability, accessibility and learning objectives.
• Conduct literature and guidance reviews to reflect current environmental health science.
• Support pilot testing, course evaluation and ongoing improvement of courses.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations related to training activities.

Skills

Environmental health

Public health

Instructional design

E-learning

STLT knowledge

Education

Master's in Public Health

Tools

LMS

Job description

Organization

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Reference Code

CDC-2026-0086

Application Deadline

11/6/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

CDC Office and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice (DEHSP) of the National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), Water, Food, and Environmental Health Services Branch (WFEHSB) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia.

Research Project

The CDC National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice (DEHSP), Water, Food, and Environmental Health Services Branch (WFEHSB) is seeking a fellow to participate in environmental health workforce development and online course development activities. You will collaborate with CDC environmental health professionals and subject-matter experts to gain experience developing, reviewing, updating, and modernizing online training courses, educational materials, and practical tools for the environmental health workforce.

A Central Focus Of The Fellowship Is Training, Under The Guidance Of a Mentor, On The Review And Update Of CDC's Environmental Health Training In Emergency Response (EHTER) Course, Including Converting And Enhancing Content For Online Delivery. You Will Also Collaborate To Build Tools And Resources That Support State, Tribal, Local, And Territorial (STLT) Environmental Health Professionals In Routine Practice And Emergency Preparedness/response. Activities Include

• Gain experience reviewing and updating EHTER course content, learning objectives, exercises, and supporting training materials.
• Train to develop online learning components, including lesson content, scripts, storyboards, knowledge checks, quizzes, case studies, scenarios, graphic concepts, and job aids.
• Build skills translating technical and scientific environmental health information into clear, engaging, learner-centered online content.
• Collaborate with subject-matter experts and instructional designers to learn to create effective, well-structured online learning experiences.
• Strengthen quality‑assurance skills by reviewing training materials for scientific accuracy, usability, accessibility, and alignment with learning objectives.
• Gain experience conducting literature and guidance reviews to ensure training content reflects current environmental health science, practices, and standards.
• Support pilot testing, course evaluation, and continuous improvement of training courses and workforce‑development tools.
• Develop professional communication skills through preparing reports, presentations, and recommendations related to training and workforce‑development activities.

Learning Objectives

This fellowship offers applied, national-level experience at the intersection of environmental health practice, e‑learning/instructional design, emergency preparedness and response, workforce development, and public health communication — with direct exposure to CDC programs, subject‑matter experts, and STLT partners. Building applied environmental health experience, online course development and instructional design skills, emergency‑response knowledge (via EHTER), science‑to‑learning translation skills, stakeholder engagement experience, and training evaluation skills — while gaining a broader understanding of CDC's national role in environmental health workforce development.

Mentor(s)

The mentor for this opportunity is Maria Paz Carlos ([e-mail]). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date

September 30, 2026. 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.

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 and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) only.

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 [e-mail] and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a master's degree (Master of Public Health [MPH] degree, or a closely related graduate degree) in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years, or be currently pursuing.

Preferred Skills

• Graduate‑level coursework or experience in environmental health, public health, epidemiology, emergency preparedness, health education, health communication, instructional design, or a related discipline.
• Genuine interest in environmental health and online public health education, who enjoys turning scientific/technical information into clear, engaging, practical learning experiences.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to write clearly and concisely for public health practitioners.
• Ability to synthesize and translate scientific/technical information into clear, learner‑centered educational content.
• Strong organizational and project‑management skills, with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
• Ability to act both independently and collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and subject‑matter experts.
• Proficiency with standard office productivity software (word processing, spreadsheets, presentations).

Highly Desired Skills

• Experience developing e‑learning modules, web‑based training, or other digital educational content.
• Coursework or experience in instructional design, curriculum development, adult learning, or distance/e‑learning.
• Experience building online learning components (storyboards, scripts, knowledge checks, quizzes, scenarios, assessments).
• Familiarity with e‑learning authoring tools or learning management systems (LMS).
• Knowledge of accessibility principles for digital learning content.
• Knowledge of environmental health topics related to emergencies/disasters (drinking water, wastewater, food safety, shelters, vector control, solid waste, hazardous materials, sanitation).
• Experience with public health emergency preparedness and response.
• Experience developing/revising training curricula, facilitator guides, participant materials, or job aids.
• Experience conducting literature reviews, environmental scans, or needs assessments.
• Experience evaluating training (developing assessments/surveys, analyzing feedback, assessing learning outcomes).
• Familiarity with STLT (state, tribal, local, territorial) environmental health program roles.
• Knowledge of environmental health workforce competencies and workforce‑development needs.

Point of Contact

Rachel

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Master's Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Communications and Graphics Design
    • Communications
    • Communications Theory
    • Health Communications
    • Mass Communications
    • Media Studies
    • Science Writing
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (5 )
    • Engineering (1 )
      • Environmental and Marine Sciences (2 )
        • Life Health and Medical Sciences (1 )
          • Social and Behavioral Sciences (1 )
• Affirmation

  I certify that I have not previously been employed by CDC or by a contractor working directly for CDC. I understand that CDC does not permit individuals with a prior employment relationship with CDC or its contractors to participate as trainees in the ORISE program. (Exceptions may be granted for individuals who, since the previous CDC employment, have obtained a new STEM degree which necessitates training in a new field.)