Location: Chicago, IL - Hybrid
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is spearheading a transformative, multi-million-dollar initiative to strengthen the state's public health infrastructure through the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG). This critical federal investment is centered around three foundational pillars: Workforce Development, Foundational Capabilities Enhancement, and Data Modernization. These efforts aim to reshape public health delivery across Illinois, ensuring healthier communities for generations to come.
As a Public Health Project Management Intern within the Director’s Office, you will be at the forefront of this transformation. This role offers a unique opportunity to directly contribute to statewide initiatives while gaining executive-level exposure and hands-on experience in large-scale program management.
Designed specifically for graduate students in MPH programs, this internship bridges academic learning with practical application. You will gain invaluable experience in areas such as:
- Systems thinking
- Evidence-based decision making
- Policy implementation
- Cross-sector collaboration
Your work will directly support public health infrastructure improvements and align with core MPH curriculum areas, including health policy and management, epidemiology, and community health practice.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Project Planning and Coordination
- Develop detailed project plans, timelines, and milestone tracking for PHIG initiatives
- Maintain clear and organized project documentation to support transparency and accountability
- Conduct research and synthesize evidence to inform decision-making
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth execution of projects
Performance Monitoring and Evaluation
- Monitor key performance indicators across PHIG’s core pillars
- Prepare executive-level reports and presentations for senior leadership
- Support data collection and analysis to drive program improvements
- Contribute to federal reporting and compliance efforts
Financial Management and Oversight
- Assist in budget tracking and financial reporting for grant activities
- Support fiscal monitoring to ensure efficient use of resources
- Participate in planning and forecasting related to PHIG funding
- Learn best practices in managing federally funded public health programs
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
- Facilitate meetings with internal teams and external partners
- Prepare meeting materials, take minutes, and track follow-ups
- Develop communication materials tailored to varied audiences
- Coordinate outreach efforts for statewide infrastructure initiatives
Qualifications:
- Currently pursuing a graduate-level public health degree at University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Loyola University Chicago, DePaul University, or Northwestern University
- Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to create clear and compelling documents.
- Passionate about public health systems and infrastructure.
- Interested in project management, policy, and organizational development.
- Eager to apply academic knowledge to real-world challenges.
- Comfortable in dynamic, collaborative work environments.
- Detail-oriented with strong analytical and communication skills.
- Committed to advancing health equity and improving community well-being through systems change.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Ability to work approximately 10-15 hours a week and come in person on Wednesdays.
Duration and Compensation:
This is an unpaid internship with flexible scheduling options to accommodate academic commitments. This is a hybrid position in Chicago, Illinois for 10-15 hours a week. Academic credit may be available depending on your institution's guidelines.
All applications must be submitted by Friday, January 30th, 2026 to be considered for this internship.
