Data Information and Project Support Intern

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Office of Preparedness and Emergency Management (OPEM) works with public health and healthcare data as part of planning for or responding to emergency situations. OPEM is seeking a student intern to support data management and analysis for ongoing projects, as well as other duties as need or interest arises. This role would be best suited for someone who is detail-oriented and comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. The selected intern is expected to contribute an average of 15 hours per week.

One of the primary projects will involve data from the DPH 24/7 Duty Officer (DO) Program. This program is intended as a resource for public health, healthcare, and emergency management agencies when an incident (including disease outbreaks, extreme weather, etc.) occurs that requires additional coordination or support. The DOs log all information related to each incident over the course of the year. The selected intern will clean, analyze, and synthesize these data to produce an informational brief for the 2026 year-in-review. The intern will also present their findings back to the Duty Officer team. Other projects will involve data that OPEM collects as a part of preparedness and response efforts. The intern will support streamlining the data workflows, visualizing these data, creating key indicators, and training users on interpreting these visualizations. Finally, the intern will have opportunity to support emergency activations such as winter storms and planned large events.

Duties and Responsibilities (general summary and not all inclusive):

• Collecting, managing, analyzing, and visualizing data

• Preparing written materials, graphics, and/or presentations for dissemination

• Supporting analytical and operational components of ongoing programs and projects

• Developing and testing data-related protocols

• Designing and maintaining survey instruments

• Collaborating on intraoffice and interoffice data priorities

• Assisting with situational awareness during planned or unplanned emergency activations

Required Qualifications:

• This internship opportunity is available to undergraduate or graduate students currently enrolled at an accredited college or university

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel

• Experience with Power BI and/or Tableau

• Experience with ArcGIS suite

• Understanding of principles and practices of emergency preparedness

• Understanding of principles and practices of epidemiology

• Understanding of principles and practices of health equity

• Optional occasional travel between our Boston and/or Marlborough offices

Contract Period of Service:

1/1/2027 to 6/30/2027 (renewable subject to appropriation)

About the Department of Public Health:

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth.
 
We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.
 
DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.

More information can be found at: MA Department of Public Health​

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation:

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Please see Preferred Qualifications.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100%25 of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.