Health Disaster Preparedness (Unpaid Intern) - County of Orange

HEALTH CARE AGENCY
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is a regional provider, charged with protecting and promoting individual, family and community health through coordination of public and private sector resources.

Medical Health Services coordinates and oversees emergency medical services and prehospital care, employee health for all County of Orange employees, health disaster preparedness and management, environmental health issues involving food safety, water quality and harmful conditions in our community, and the Medical Safety Net program that provides urgent, emergent medical services to low-income adults without an insurance home.

THE OPPORUNITY
The Orange County Health Care Agency, Emergency Medical Services Division, is seeking motivated and dedicated individuals to support our Health Disaster Preparedness team. This internship/volunteer opportunity offers invaluable experience in emergency management and public health.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and implementation of emergency preparedness exercises.
• Support the management and utilization of emergency preparedness technology.
• Contribute to public information and outreach campaigns related to disaster preparedness.
• Prepare documents, reports, and grant workplans as assigned.
• Organize and maintain electronic files and databases.
• Create forms and spreadsheets to support team operations.
• Assist Senior Program Supervisors with various administrative tasks.
• Participate in disaster exercises and drills.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university majoring in Public Health, Healthcare Administration, Health Information Management, Emergency Management, Computer Science, Public Safety, Political Science, Public Administration, Law, Fire Science, Public Affairs, Communications, Public Relations, Public Policy, or a related field. Recent graduates are also eligible to apply.   
• Strong reading, writing, and research skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Some knowledge of grants is desirable but not required.
• Interest in emergency management and public health.

TIME COMMITMENT 
Immediate placement is available. A minimum of 10 hours per week is required over one semester or quarter. Interns may extend their internship up to 12 months if desired. Hours must be scheduled during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM).

BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO INTERNS
Although this is an unpaid internship that does not lead to permanent employment or include employee benefits, the position offers students or recent graduates experience in working within a large governmental entity. The Emergency Medical Services Division provides exposure to many different aspects of legislative relations, as staff coordinate daily with local, state and federal governmental agencies as a part of routine operations.

The Emergency Medical Services is one of the few assignments within the County that the intern may be exposed to a multi-faceted government coordination. This assignment also provides an opportunity for students to explore career options, apply academic knowledge and skills to the workplace, gain career skills, build resumes and network with professionals in their fields of interest including mentorship from a Health Disaster Preparedness Chief.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE 
REQUIRED BACKGROUND SCREENING/REFERENCE CHECK 
Prior to placement, applicants may be asked to submit contact information for reference checks, and a background screening will be conducted that requires a state issued driver's license or ID card and a U.S. Social Security number and live scan.