J-1 Visa Public Health Jobs
Public health roles in the United States are accessible to international professionals through the J-1 visa under the Research Scholar, Specialist, or Trainee program categories, depending on your career stage. Securing sponsorship requires a designated State Department organization to issue your DS-2019, separate from the public health agency or institution hosting your placement.
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This internship supports communications activities under the Public Health Excellence Grant, a statewide initiative led by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to strengthen local public health systems and advance health equity. The intern will play a key role in helping translate public health priorities into accessible, engaging content for Boston communities.
Job Description
We are seeking a motivated and creative student intern to support communications efforts tied to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Public Health Excellence Grant at BPHC. This internship offers hands-on experience in public health communications and community engagement.
The intern will assist with the production and dissemination of media products designed to advance priority public health initiatives. These materials may include communications resources, social media graphics, informational infographics, and video content.
Working closely with the BPHC Communications Department, the intern will help ensure that materials are effectively distributed across public-facing platforms and aligned with organizational messaging, branding, and accessibility standards. This role will contribute to strengthening outreach and engagement efforts while expanding the reach and impact of public health campaigns.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist in the development of public health communication materials, including graphics, infographics, and video content
- Support dissemination of communications through BPHC platforms (e.g., social media, website, newsletters)
- Collaborate with the Communications Department to ensure alignment with branding, messaging, and accessibility standards
- Contribute to multimedia storytelling efforts that promote community awareness and education
- Support outreach strategies that increase engagement with priority public health initiatives
- Assist with organizing and managing communication assets and campaign materials
Learning Objectives
By the end of the internship, the student will:
- Learn best practices for designing clear, accessible public health communication materials for diverse audiences
- Develop strategies for distributing public health communications through institutional and public-facing platforms
- Gain foundational skills in multimedia production and visual storytelling for health promotion
- Build experience in professional collaboration and workflow within a public health communications team
Minimum Qualifications
- Current enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate program
- Strong interest in public health, communications, or media production
- Ability to work collaboratively and manage tasks independently
- Strong written, visual, and verbal communication skills
- Attention to detail and organizational skills
- Commitment to health equity, anti-racism, and culturally responsive communication practices
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with graphic design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite)
- Familiarity with social media platforms and content creation
- Interest in storytelling, digital media, or public health campaigns
- Experience working with diverse communities
The mission of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is to work in partnership with communities to protect and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, especially those impacted by racism and systemic inequities. The BPHC sets an expectation that all staff and leadership commit, individually and as part of the BPHC team, to hold ourselves accountable to establishing a culture of anti-racism and advance racial equity and justice through each of our bureaus, programs, and offices.
- City of Boston residency is required; Allston, Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Brighton, Charlestown, Chinatown, Dorchester, Downtown, East Boston, Fenway-Kenmore, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Mid-Dorchester, Mission Hill, North End, Roslindale, Roxbury, South Boston, South End, West End, West Roxbury, Wharf district.
- A Criminal Offenders Records Information request must be completed for this position. However, a record is not an automatic bar to employment but is reviewed in relation to the job applied for.
- Certain immunizations will be recommended and/or required prior to commencement of employment duties.
- Any position that requires an advanced degree will be subject to education verification.
- Certain positions at the BPHC may be Grant Funded.
- The Boston Public Health Commission is an EEO Employer and all applicants meeting the minimum requirements are eligible to apply.
- Certain positions at the BPHC may require Child Protective Service Background verification.
-
The advertised shift and schedule are subject to change at the department's discretion.
-
Up to 10 hours per week
- Internship Duration: April 17, 2026 – June 26, 2026
- Hybrid schedule: Flexible and coordinated with the supervisor
$25 / hourly
Program Description
This internship supports communications activities under the Public Health Excellence Grant, a statewide initiative led by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to strengthen local public health systems and advance health equity. The intern will play a key role in helping translate public health priorities into accessible, engaging content for Boston communities.
Job Description
We are seeking a motivated and creative student intern to support communications efforts tied to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Public Health Excellence Grant at BPHC. This internship offers hands-on experience in public health communications and community engagement.
The intern will assist with the production and dissemination of media products designed to advance priority public health initiatives. These materials may include communications resources, social media graphics, informational infographics, and video content.
Working closely with the BPHC Communications Department, the intern will help ensure that materials are effectively distributed across public-facing platforms and aligned with organizational messaging, branding, and accessibility standards. This role will contribute to strengthening outreach and engagement efforts while expanding the reach and impact of public health campaigns.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist in the development of public health communication materials, including graphics, infographics, and video content
- Support dissemination of communications through BPHC platforms (e.g., social media, website, newsletters)
- Collaborate with the Communications Department to ensure alignment with branding, messaging, and accessibility standards
- Contribute to multimedia storytelling efforts that promote community awareness and education
- Support outreach strategies that increase engagement with priority public health initiatives
- Assist with organizing and managing communication assets and campaign materials
Learning Objectives
By the end of the internship, the student will:
- Learn best practices for designing clear, accessible public health communication materials for diverse audiences
- Develop strategies for distributing public health communications through institutional and public-facing platforms
- Gain foundational skills in multimedia production and visual storytelling for health promotion
- Build experience in professional collaboration and workflow within a public health communications team
Minimum Qualifications
- Current enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate program
- Strong interest in public health, communications, or media production
- Ability to work collaboratively and manage tasks independently
- Strong written, visual, and verbal communication skills
- Attention to detail and organizational skills
- Commitment to health equity, anti-racism, and culturally responsive communication practices
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with graphic design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite)
- Familiarity with social media platforms and content creation
- Interest in storytelling, digital media, or public health campaigns
- Experience working with diverse communities
The mission of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is to work in partnership with communities to protect and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, especially those impacted by racism and systemic inequities. The BPHC sets an expectation that all staff and leadership commit, individually and as part of the BPHC team, to hold ourselves accountable to establishing a culture of anti-racism and advance racial equity and justice through each of our bureaus, programs, and offices.
- City of Boston residency is required; Allston, Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Brighton, Charlestown, Chinatown, Dorchester, Downtown, East Boston, Fenway-Kenmore, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Mid-Dorchester, Mission Hill, North End, Roslindale, Roxbury, South Boston, South End, West End, West Roxbury, Wharf district.
- A Criminal Offenders Records Information request must be completed for this position. However, a record is not an automatic bar to employment but is reviewed in relation to the job applied for.
- Certain immunizations will be recommended and/or required prior to commencement of employment duties.
- Any position that requires an advanced degree will be subject to education verification.
- Certain positions at the BPHC may be Grant Funded.
- The Boston Public Health Commission is an EEO Employer and all applicants meeting the minimum requirements are eligible to apply.
- Certain positions at the BPHC may require Child Protective Service Background verification.
-
The advertised shift and schedule are subject to change at the department's discretion.
-
Up to 10 hours per week
- Internship Duration: April 17, 2026 – June 26, 2026
- Hybrid schedule: Flexible and coordinated with the supervisor
$25 / hourly
See all 59+ J-1 Visa Public Health Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Public Health Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Public Health
Align your credentials with J-1 category requirements
Your J-1 visa category determines what credentials you need before applying. Research Scholar requires a graduate degree and active research agenda. Trainee requires a relevant degree plus at least one year of professional public health experience outside the U.S.
Target host organizations with existing designated sponsor relationships
Public health departments, CDC-affiliated research centers, and schools of public health frequently work with established J-1 designated sponsors. Confirm a prospective host has coordinated J-1 placements before, since they must agree to the training plan and compliance obligations.
Search for J-1-compatible public health roles on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter U.S. public health roles at employers who have hosted international professionals before. This shortens your list to organizations already familiar with J-1 host responsibilities rather than those encountering the process for the first time.
Prepare a structured training plan before your offer
For Trainee and Specialist categories, your designated sponsor requires a completed DS-7002 training plan before issuing the DS-2019. Draft this with your host organization early, detailing specific skills you'll develop, supervision structure, and measurable learning objectives tied to public health practice.
Clarify the two-year home residency requirement upfront
Many public health J-1 programs, especially those funded by government agencies or tied to graduate medical education, carry a two-year home-country residency requirement before you can change to most work visas. Confirm your program's status with your designated sponsor before accepting a position.
Verify your host organization's SEVIS compliance capacity
Your host employer must cooperate with your designated sponsor's monitoring obligations under the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Confirm they'll provide required check-ins, maintain your training environment, and respond to sponsor inquiries throughout your program period.
Public Health J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a public health professional?
It depends on your career stage and placement type. Current graduate students conducting field research typically fall under Research Scholar. Early-career professionals gaining structured skills at a U.S. public health agency qualify as Trainees if they have a relevant degree and at least one year of experience. Mid-career specialists with deep expertise in a defined public health area may qualify under the Specialist category.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa in a public health placement?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not your host employer. Organizations like IIE, Cultural Vistas, or CIEE issue your DS-2019 form, enroll you in SEVIS, and monitor your program compliance. Your host public health agency or research institution is the placement site but is not your legal J-1 sponsor.
How do I find U.S. public health employers open to J-1 placements?
Migrate Mate lets you search U.S. public health roles and filter for employers who have worked with international professionals before. Since J-1 hosting requires the employer to cooperate with a designated sponsor's training plan and compliance monitoring, targeting organizations already familiar with the process significantly improves your chances of a successful placement.
Does the two-year home residency requirement apply to public health J-1 holders?
It often does. Public health J-1 programs are frequently funded by government sources or involve graduate-level training, both of which commonly trigger the two-year home residency requirement under INA Section 212(e). This means you'd need to return home for two years, or obtain a waiver, before changing to an H-1B visa or other work visa. Confirm your program's status with your designated sponsor before you accept an offer.
What documents does a J-1 public health Trainee need before the DS-2019 is issued?
Your designated sponsor will require a completed DS-7002 training plan signed by both you and your host organization, proof of your qualifying degree, evidence of at least one year of professional public health experience gained outside the U.S., and a letter from your host detailing your placement. Some sponsors also require proof of English proficiency and health insurance coverage meeting State Department minimums.