Careers in Public Health

Public health is a diverse and growing field that offers many career options for people from a variety of educational backgrounds. Whether you are interested in biology, education, business or anything in between, chances are that you will find a position you enjoy in the field of public health. Public health professionals are essential to keeping our communities safe and healthy, and the work they do is extremely rewarding.

Benefits of a Career in Public Health

A public health career with New York's state and local health departments offers a wide array of benefits.

  • Fulfilling Work: A job with New York's state or local health departments provides individuals with the opportunity to protect the public's health, help individuals and communities and make a significant contribution to science and the field of public health.
  • Continuing Education and Staff Development Training: New York's state and local health departments encourage employees to remain current with topics in public health and their individual fields. Depending on the agency, tuition benefits, Professional Conference Leave and other programs may be available to facilitate this ongoing education.
  • Benefits: Positions in New York's state and local health departments provide competitive pay, excellent health and retirement benefits, and generous leave programs.

Public Health Careers for Various Fields of Study

There is opportunity at New York's state and local health departments for students from nearly any field of study. To learn more about each, click on the links below.

  • Business
  • Liberal Arts
  • Natural and Applied Sciences
  • Social Sciences
  • Education
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Medical and Health Science
  • Political Science and Public Policy
  • Public Health
  • Communications and Marketing
  • Life Sciences
  • Emergency Management
  • Hospitality
  • Nursing

Opportunities in Public Health

Public health jobs exist at the New York State Department of Health, in county health departments, at the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, and in other state and local organizations. Refer to the list of opportunities below to find a position that is right for you!

Health Research Inc., (HRI)

Health Research, Inc., (HRI)'s mission is to build a healthier future for New York State and beyond through the delivery of funding and program support to further public health and research programs in support of the New York State Department of Health, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and other entities. This achievement is made possible through the recruitment of highly talented and qualified individuals.

HRI routinely offers positions at the New York State Department of Health. HRI encourages all candidates to apply to any position they are interested in and feel they qualify for. Please contact hrihr@healthreasearch.org with any questions.

New York State Department of Health

Make More than a Career. Make a Difference.

Current vacancies at the New York State Department of Health, including those open to the public, can be found on the Department's Employment website.

A job with the New York State Department of Health provides people with the opportunity to protect and improve communities by preventing epidemics and the spread of disease, promoting healthy lifestyles for children and families, protecting against hazards in homes, work, communities and the environment, assuring high quality health care services, and preparing for and responding to emergencies.

NYSDOH is a New York State government agency. State government is comprised of a diverse and dedicated workforce that provides valuable services to millions of their fellow New Yorkers. Appointments and promotions in State government are made according to the principles of "merit and fitness," as mandated by the State Constitution. Access current examination announcements and information about the civil service process on the New York State Department of Civil Service website.

Special Announcement: New York State agencies are hiring for thousands of critical positions open across the state. The Department of Civil Service has developed the NY Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide (NY HELPS) Program to help state agencies, including the NYSDOH, fill these positions. This program streamlines the appointment process for many titles to allow State agencies to hire diverse, qualified permanent employees quickly and without examinations!

You can access current announcements about examinations, vacancies, and other information for local health departments on the website for each county of interest. Many county openings are listed on the New York State Association of County Health Officials site. Links to each county civil service agency can be found at Municipal Civil Service Agencies.

Information about applying for the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene can be found at the agency's website.

There are many opportunities in the field of public health. In addition to roles at New York's state and local health departments, there are opportunities in public health with nonprofits, businesses, healthcare organizations, community-based organizations, and much more. You can search for current job postings related to public health using the New York State Department of Labor's Job Bank.

Recent Graduates and Alumni Opportunities

Public health is a diverse and growing field that offers many career options for people from a variety of educational backgrounds. Whether you are interested in biology, education, business or anything in between, chances are that you will find a position you enjoy in the field of public health. Public health professionals are essential to keeping our communities safe and healthy, and the work they do is extremely rewarding. Some programs suitable for recent graduates include the Fellowship opportunities listed below.

New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship Program - The NYSPHC Fellowship Program provides individuals with professional development opportunities to enhance and apply public health knowledge through training, education, and mentorship. The Fellowship aims to expand Fellows' public health networks throughout their communities, resulting in a more robust New York State public health workforce. The NYSPHC Fellowship Program provides paid, 2-year full-time positions, with opportunities at host organizations such as the NYSDOH, Local Health Departments (LHDs) and other public health system partners.

APHL/CDC Fellowships at the Wadsworth Center - The Wadsworth Center continues to partner with the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to train and prepare the next generation of scientists for careers in public health. Numerous public health laboratory programs are supported through these fellowships.

Fellowship in Applied Public Health | University at Albany - The NYS Fellowship in Applied Public Health (FAPH) is a specialized public health training program that prepares physicians, veterinarians, and other advanced licensed health care professionals for leadership roles in state and local health departments. The program is jointly sponsored by the University at Albany and the New York State Department of Health.

Public health jobs exist at the New York State Department of Health, in county health departments, at the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, and in other state and local organizations. Refer to the information above to find a position that is right for you!