Health Policy Intern - Durham County
AGENCY / ORGANIZATION
LOCATION DETAILS
Durham County Department of Public Health
Fully On-Site
Durham County Human Services Building, 414 East Main Street Durham, NC 27701
START DATE
January 19, 2027
END DATE
April 23, 2027
U.S. CITIZEN REQUIREMENT
No
TIME COMMITMENT:
22.5 hours if possible (but commitment is flexible)
Position Summary
The Health Policy Intern will work on Durham County's and Orange County's Board of Health Smoking Rule, including research, drafting, and coordination tasks as directed by the Region 5 Tobacco Prevention Manager.
Pay & Compensation
TYPE:
Unpaid Internship
COMPENSATION RANGE:
NON-MONETARY BENEFITS:
Position Topic Areas
Health Policy and Ethics, Tobacco Use, Smoking, and Vaping
Work Products
Policy Briefs, Reports, Materials (e.g. communication, media), Toolkits, Presentations
Roles & Responsibilities
Implementation checklist outlining concrete steps, responsible parties, and a recommended timeline for executing the updated rule once passed.
Post-campaign evaluation summary documenting reach, engagement, and lessons learned to inform future cessation campaigns.
Public-facing community education materials (flyers, social media content, FAQs) explaining the updated Smoking Rule and what it means for residents.
Business and stakeholder education packet outlining new requirements, compliance expectations, and resources for implementation.
Implementation support materials including signage templates, compliance checklists, and guidance documents for businesses and enforcement staff.
Post-implementation community outreach plan to ensure continued awareness of the updated rule among residents and stakeholders.
Presentation materials supporting the Board of County Commissioners' review and acceptance of the updated Smoking Rule language, including a summary of the community-driven review process, proposed changes, and supporting evidence.
Required Skills & Experience
Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program in public health, health policy, public administration, or a related field.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience drafting professional documents and correspondence.
Ability to conduct literature reviews and compile research to support policy development.
Experience with or knowledge of health policy processes, including how local or state policies are developed and adopted.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
Preferred Skills & Experience
Knowledge of tobacco prevention, cessation, or control policy.
Familiarity with North Carolina public health systems, local health departments, or Board of Health governance.
Experience supporting community engagement, stakeholder outreach, or public health education campaigns.
Experience preparing meeting materials such as agendas, notes, and summary documents.
Experience with social media content creation for public health or community education purposes.
Familiarity with health equity frameworks and applying an equity lens to policy work.
Bilingual or multilingual skills a plus.
Additional Information
We can only accept students that DCoDPH currently has a MOU with. This includes: UNC-CH (Gillings, Adams Dentistry, School of Nursing), NCCU, UNC-Greensboro, ECU, and UNC- Wilmington at the current moment.