Program on Health, Equity, and Sustainability Intern Position

Program on Health, Equity, and Sustainability Intern Position


Summary
Support the San Francisco Department of Public Health's Program on Health,
Equity and Sustainability (PHES) in refining measures of a Healthy Economy
and identifying best land use-related practices to promote equitable
socio-economic health and well-being.

Background
The economic crisis has disproportionately impacted communities already
experiencing high rates of health disparities. Although some
redevelopment projects have historically exacerbated segregation,
displacement and health inequalities, economic and land use
decision-making create significant opportunities to address the social
determinants of health through creation of quality jobs, affordable
housing, and equity-oriented strategies to reduce poverty and violence.
Like many metropolitan areas, San Francisco must contend with multiple,
and often competing, interests and needs as it attempts to strike the
right balance among social, economic, and environmental interests. Despite
the complementary goals of urban planning and public health, health
considerations are typically left off of the scales.

The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) ? Program on Health,
Equity and Sustainability (PHES) (www.sfphes. org) has developed a number
of analytic tools for the evaluation of the potential health impacts of
city planning decisions. This position will work to support one of these
tools, the Healthy Development Measurement Tool (HDMT). Specifically,
the intern would help 1) Identify best practices and evidence-based
interventions that address employment, violence and social cohesion
through land-use decision-making processes; 2) Develop a general framework
for describing dimensions of a Healthy Economy; 3) Support expansion of
the Healthy Economy section of the HDMT; and 4) Support coordination of a
Health Impact Assessment Mini-Course. Depending on interest and capacity,
opportunities exist to support additional projects as well. The intern
would work closely with members of the SFDPH HDMT team and participate in
regular team meetings and discussions.

Internship Duties
We seek an intern to support a number of specific HDMT activities,
including:
§ Identifying land-use related best practices and evidence-based
interventions that promote health and address employment, violence and
social cohesion
§ Identifying appropriate indicators for inclusion in the HDMT
§ Gathering data on those indicators
§ Conducting research on policies/strategies for ?healthy
development?
§ Supporting HDMT/HIA trainings

Minimum Qualifications:
1. Possession of a Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited college or
university; AND
2. One year of verifiable experience in public health, public policy,
economic development, labor organizing, built environment, public housing,
or related community planning and assessment work; AND
3. Experience doing interdisciplinary research and/or practice.

Preferred Qualifications:
§ Strong quantitative skills.
§ Knowledge of Health Impact Assessment and social epidemiology
principles.
§ Knowledge of economic development and/or labor/employment
conditions
§ Ability to function independently.
§ Ability to create and maintain effective relationships with
coworkers, research organizations, community groups, etc.
§ Ability to communicate well both verbally and in writing including
proposals and technical reports.

Location: San Francisco Department of Public Health
Environmental Health Section
1390 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Compensation: $16.24 p/hour, 35 hours per week for 10-12 weeks

To apply, please email cover letter and resume by Wednesday, April 29 to:
Megan Gaydos, Program on Health, Equity and Sustainability
San Francisco Department of Public Health
1390 Market Street, Suite 910
San Francisco, CA 94102
megan.gaydos@ sfdph.org
www.sfphes.org