The CHNA intern will support a critical component of the 2026 CHNA through directly collecting survey data through identifying, preparing for, and staffing community events. The survey will be launched from February-April 2026. This is a great opportunity for individuals with strong communication looking for experience in data collection, needs assessments, community engagement, and event planning.
Driving is required for this position.
Background: Every three years, MCDPH conducts a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) survey which provides crucial insights into community wellbeing that direct public health improvement planning and serves as an essential piece of accreditation. In 2023, MCDPH collected over 18,000 surveys and produced results shared through reports, a dashboard, 27 community-specific profiles, and 7 recorded webinars. Ten major health care systems use the CHNA data to inform their community health plans. The data has also directly informed the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), a strategic plan for collaborative action to address priority areas. The CHNA is a powerful way local public health turns community input into tangible action. To learn more about MCDPH’s CHNA, check out maricopahealthmatters.org and this recorded webinar: https://youtu.be/WEjQ20kiL-8
Internship Purpose: For the upcoming cycle, the survey will be open February-April 2026 and will be provided in English and Spanish, virtual and paper formats. To obtain results that reflect the diversity of Maricopa County, MCDPH has set goals for participation across geographies and communities. The CHNA interns will help achieve representative participation by focusing on direct community engagement through collecting surveys at events, local organizations, community meetings, etc.
Internship Scope: The intern will be responsible for preparing and inventorying materials for events (such as putting together boxes with tabling equipment, paper surveys, iPads, incentive items), driving to and from events, speaking with community members to invite them to take the survey, showing participants how to use QR codes and iPads to take the survey, and answering questions from participants.
Internship Location and Schedule: This position will work with the CHNA team including members from Health Outreach, Partnerships, and Empowerment, Epidemiology and Informatics Division, and Communications Team – as well as external community partners. The position will require at least 4 hours in person Tuesdays at the MCDPH Office at 4041 N Central Ave. The remaining hours will largely take place at events across the county, typically alongside other interns, staff, or community partners. These events may take place during typical working hours, in the evenings, and on weekends. The intern will work with their mentor to set a schedule that works with the intern’s availability and meets the team’s needs.
