Program Overview
The VDH Internship Academy is a structured program that allows current or recent students to explore what it is like to work at VDH. You’ll work directly within a program area or at a local health department on projects where you’ll be immersed as part of the team.
The program is for students from a broad range of backgrounds, accounting to graphic design, and of course, public health! We’re looking for interns to work closely with public health programs, as well as other areas of criticality, such as finance/accounting, human resources, communications, and technology. There’s something for most everyone within VDH!
The academy places interns in locations across the state in various local health departments, and our Central Offices located mostly in downtown Richmond, VA.
The VDH Internship Academy includes:
- A 2 day in-person kick-off event at the Central Office in Richmond, VA
- An assigned mentor to work with each intern throughout the program to enhance their skillset and knowledge of real-world public health.
- Video weekly meetings, including interesting speakers, attended by all interns to learn about public health and other valuable skills.
- Introductions and networking opportunities with key VDH personnel, allowing time to learn from experienced professionals.
- A 2 day in-person Closing Event and Ceremony at the Central Office in Richmond, VA.
This is a paid experiential learning opportunity; interns will earn $18.25/hour as wage (part-time) VDH employees. Interns will work a normal 40-hour work week during the internship). As wage employees, interns are not paid for state holidays during the internship, which will include (Memorial Day, Juneteenth, and Independence Day).
All interns are expected to attend both Kick-off and closing in-person events. Hotel and meals are provided for these events.
2025 VDH Internship Academy!
Applications will open December 20, 2024, and will close on January 31, 2025. Applicants requested for interviews should expect to hear back by early March 2025. Decisions regarding acceptance into Cohort 3 will be determined no later than April 16, 2025.
Eligibility Criteria
All applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered:
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Legally eligible for employment in the United States in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act.
- Be enrolled in an undergraduate, master’s or terminal degree program at a college or university (in state or out of state) or, graduated with a bachelor’s, master’s or terminal degree program from a college or university (in state or out of state) within the last 12 months.
- Have a 3.0 cumulate minimum GPA (unofficial transcripts are acceptable)
- Ability to pass a criminal background check with the Virginia State Police
- Applicants cannot be a current VDH full-time or wage employee, or a current contractor with VDH.
Application and Selection Process
Applications must be submitted electronically between 12/20/2024 – 1/31/2025. All applicants must include the following as part of their online application:
- Resume
- 1–2-page Letter of Interest, with the following parameters:
- Font size of at least 11.
- No more than 2 pages. No exceptions.
- Do not include your name or college/university affiliation.
- College/university transcript showing cumulative GPA through fall semester of 2024 (unofficial transcript is ok).
The initial candidate selection process will include the following:
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- Education:
- Education Status (completed high school or equivalent, pursuing bachelors, completed bachelors, pursuing graduate degree, completed graduate degree)
- Field of Study/Major
- Anticipated Graduation Year
- Verification of a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Letter of Interest:
The letter of interest is the primary application material used in selecting interns. The letter should detail why the applicant believes they would be an ideal candidate. It’s recommended that applicants demonstrate a personal stake in public health or public service, discuss relevant activities the applicant has participated in related to the field, etc.
- Education:
DO NOT include personally identifiable information or the name of your college/university in the letter of interest. The selection process is anonymous with the applicants’ name, gender, race, and college/university affiliation withheld from the initial screening committee. This information will only be shared at the time of actual interviews to ensure a fair and equitable selection process.
The Internship Academy Screening Committee uses an established rubric to score each letter of interest. Each screener will review 20-30 letters and each applicant’s letter will be reviewed by three separate screeners. Screening results are weighted and ranked.
NOTE: Screeners only have access to the anonymous letters of interest; they do not have access to applicant demographic information or college/university affiliations.
Once the rankings are completed, the following information is used to determine potential placement.
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- Geographic preferences (cities/counties)
- Programmatic areas of interest (i.e., Nursing, Administration, Environmental Health, Human Resources, etc.)
- Link to list of programs areas
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Local health departments or central office programs will be contacted for a possible intern placement based on a ranked candidate’s “next in line” status, including the applicant’s desired geographic location(s) and area(s) of interest. At this point, only the applicant’s first and last initials, the letter of interest, geographic preference and program areas of interest are shared with the potential host site. The applicant will be contacted if the potential host site agrees to an interview.
Interviews are virtual and last up to 45 minutes. The first 30 minutes are for introductions and relevant questions with the prospective intern. The final 15 minutes are for the host site and Academy staff to review the interview notes and make selection determinations. Follow up with the candidate occurs from Academy staff.
NOTE: The interview is the first time the host site will know of the candidate’s demographic profile, university affiliation, etc. The candidate’s resume will be shared with the potential host site approximately 1 hour prior to the interview.
VDH strives to ensure intern placement represents a diversity of geographic locations and areas of interest.
For questions about the VDH Internship Academy or other internship opportunities, complete this interest form.