2017 Public Health Associate Program

Posted on December 28, 2016

CDC has announced the kickoff of the 2017 Public Health Associate Program (PHAP) recruitment season. PHAP is looking for qualified associate and host site applicants. The associate application period will be January 3–9, 2017 (through USAjobs), and host site application period will be January 3–19, 2017 (through a link on the PHAP website).

PHAP is a two-year, on-the-job training program funded by CDC. Associates are assigned to state, tribal, local, and US territorial public health agencies, nongovernmental organizations (community-based organizations, public health institutes and associations, and academic institutions), and CDC quarantine stations. Currently, PHAP has more than 375 public health associates fulfilling hands-on workforce needs at host sites across 44 states, 2 territories, and the District of Columbia.

Associate recruitment details:

  • PHAP is recruiting candidates with bachelor’s- and master’s-level degrees who have an interest in a public health career. PHAP provides opportunities for associates to gain broad, hands-on experience in the day-to-day operation of public health programs.
  • Upon completion of a two-year assignment, associates are qualified to compete for career positions at CDC and equivalent positions in public health organizations at the state, tribal, local, and territorial levels and in nongovernmental organizations.
  • Each appointment consists of a two-year assignment developed by the host site in any of the following key public health areas: STD, tuberculosis, HIV, and other communicable disease prevention; chronic disease prevention; environmental health; public health preparedness; global migration; immunization; injury prevention; maternal and child health promotion; and other areas;
  • To enhance on-the-job training, PHAP provides formal instruction in key public health competency areas; associates participate in a variety of activities, such as seminars, workshops, web-based training, and conferences that enhance basic public health program skills.
  • More details, including eligibility requirements for candidates, are available on the Become an Associate section of the PHAP website.

Host site recruitment details:

  • Host sites gain CDC-funded field assignees who bring valuable skills and who are well-rounded, energetic, flexible, career-minded individuals with unlimited potential.
  • Host sites form a unique partnership with CDC to develop the nation’s next generation of public health professionals.
  • Host sites are able to fill workforce gaps caused by budget cuts and staffing shortages.
  • More details, including a two-part recorded webinar series on developing a quality associate training experience, are available on the Become a Host Site section of the PHAP website.

Please share this information with your colleagues and partners in other public health organizations. Questions? Call a PHAP representative at 404.498.0030, or send an email to phap@cdc.gov.