Public Health Fellow

Montgomery County Maryland; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 59,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Center for Hazardous Substance Research seeks a PACE Fellow to gain applied experience in community engagement and environmental health. You will develop frameworks to value health outcomes, translate data into resident-friendly information, and create materials at the intersection of brownfields and public health.

The role emphasizes collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, remote and hybrid work options, and a strong focus on research, education, and service within the US.

Qualifications

• PhD in Public Health or closely related field.
• CPH or equivalent public health certification is preferred.
• Strong track record in community-based research and public health education.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a quantitative framework to value public health and social outputs from brownfield redevelopment.
• Create educational programming translating technical environmental data into accessible health information for residents near sites.
• Develop TA materials at the intersection of brownfields and public health as assigned by the team.
• Collaborate with a diverse project team to establish final goals with the fellowship director.

Skills

Communication

Community engagement

Quantitative methods

Adult learning

Team collaboration

Education

Doctoral degree in Public Health

CPH certification

Tools

SPSS

Job description

About This Role

The purpose of the PACE Fellowship Program is to provide emerging professionals with applied, experiential learning in a Community of Practice dedicated to building their capacity to lead community engagement and participatory processes.

The selected fellow will assist with providing education and technical assistance activities to communities interested in redeveloping environmentally or potentially environmentally contaminated properties, as part of the Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) and KSU Tribal TAB Programs and other funded activities of the Center. Specifically, the Fellow will work on multiple potential projects, such as: i) Develop and implement a quantitative framework to assign traditional public health and proxy economic values to non-economic public health and social outputs resulting from brownfield redevelopment activities; ii) Create educational programming that translates technical environmental data (such as Phase I/II reports) into accessible health information for residents living near potentially contaminated site.; iii) Develop technical assistance materials focused on the intersection of brownfields and public health, and other projects, as assigned by the Participatory Research & Evaluation Director, and other Directors and TAB Staff. Final goals and expectations will be jointly established with the Fellowship director and other members of the project team at the start of the fellowship appointment.

This position also serves the larger purpose of the Center, which is to conduct research, education, and service pertaining to environmental topics, where a reputable, neutral organization is needed to develop technically sound, consensus-based solutions for diverse groups of stakeholders.

About Us

The Center for Hazardous Substance Research (CHSR) was established in 1989 and is part of the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering at Kansas State University. The purpose of the center is to conduct research, education, and service pertaining to environmental topics, where a reputable, neutral organization is needed to develop technically sound, consensus-based solutions for diverse groups of stakeholders.

Topics of research and other activities include sustainability; environmental assessments and remediation; technical assistance to communities, defense agencies and other organizations; and international programs. Environmental assessment work involves proposed nonlethal defense technologies, and software tools for environmental decision making. Remediation research has focused on contaminated soil and water from agriculture, forestry, mining, and mineral processing, and other industrial activities. Service activities include providing free technical assistance to citizens and other stakeholders who are providing input on cleanup and re-use ofEPASuperfund, Brownfield, tribal and other types of sites.

Please see the KSU TAB, Tribal TAB, and CHSR websites for more information about our work.

Worksite Description

This position is Hybrid and/or Remote eligible. An employee who is working remotely must reside within the United States in order to comply with all federal and state laws, filings, or tax requirements. Remote work agreements are required for all flexible work arrangements and are subject to review. Review K-State’s remote work policy details for more information.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in public health; Subfields of particular interest include environmental health, health policy and management, and social and behavioral science.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with community-driven participatory processes and the capacity to collaborate in the development and delivery of community engagement activities.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in quantitative research design and data analysis, with proficiency in statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS).
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with adult learners in professional or community settings.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hold certifications from the National Board of Public Health Examiners, such as the CPH (Certified in Public Health).
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in mixed methods research design and data analysis.
• Experience working in Tribal settings, and under-resources rural, or urban communities.
• Demonstrated focus on public health and addressing the social determinants of health in the context of environmental contamination.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of intersections of environmental health and climate resilience, extreme heat protections, and sensitive populations.
• Experience with any of the following in a local government / tribal brownfields context: redevelopment planning, preparing environmental reports (such as Phase I and II ESAs), grant writing, community involvement, and economic development.
• Experience working both in-person and remotely with a team comprised of a variety of professionals from diverse fields (e.g., education, engineering, chemistry, architecture, planning).

Additional Role Information:

• Physical Requirements: Speaking, Walking/Running, Keyboarding, Sitting, Twisting/Bending, Repetitive Movement, Standing, Carrying, Driving, Writing, lifting up to 50 lbs.

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

Application Window

Applications close on: Sept. 26, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$59,000 - $61,000 annual rate