Public Health Jobs in Illinois
Public Health jobs in Illinois are concentrated in Chicago, Springfield, and Rockford, where major employers like the Illinois Department of Public Health, Cook County Health, and Rush University Medical Center maintain active hiring across epidemiology, health education, and community health. The Chicago metro alone supports one of the most active public health labor markets in the Midwest, with openings from entry-level health educators to senior epidemiologists and program directors. Demand is especially strong in chronic disease management, maternal and child health, and environmental health. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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General Description
The Public Health Nurse is a valuable member of our Maternal and Child Health Care Team who provides independent application of the nursing process and comprehensive health navigation services to clients (individuals and/or families) in the home and a variety of community settings. Participate in orientation, program development, community assessment, and quality assurance/improvement.
Scheduled Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Essential Functions
- Participates in on-going assessment of health needs and develops plans with clients and
- Implements outcomes-oriented nursing process (assesses family and client health needs;
monitors progress) for clients in their homes in assigned geographic area and in clinics.
- Confers with other members of multidisciplinary health care team, community services
- Effectively manages assigned caseload, including timely and appropriate contact with
- Maintains complete, timely, accurate, and concise documentation of nursing interventions
- Maintains current knowledge in maternal, infant, child and adolescent health trends and
- Participates in clinical case conferences, staff meetings, in-services, committees, and
- Provides health education in clinic settings or community.
- Serves as a resource to other staff, health care providers and the community in the
- Translates for staff and client families, as needed, if bilingual.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Works primarily in the Better Birth Outcomes-Comprehensive program and may be
Knowledge Skills Abilities and Education Required
reciprocity within six months of the initial date of employment.
- Pediatric and/or OB experience preferred.
- Requires a valid driver’s license and use of personal vehicle.
- Maintain CPR certification.
- Requires the ability to lift up to 30 pounds (i.e. carrying scale and other supplies, handling patients, etc.)
Supplemental Information
As the largest human service provider in Lake County, we believe that services must be available without barriers. No residents are turned away due to the inability to pay. We believe in providing services in an environment of mutual respect, free of discrimination or bias. Whether assuring accessible and effective care, impacting policy, or assessing and monitoring risks, the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center has been an essential part of the public health system in Lake County for 60 years. We are looking for passionate, qualified team members who can help make a difference in our agency and, most importantly, in our community.
Additional information about the Lake County Health Department, our culture, and why you should join our team can be found athttps://lakecountyil.attract.neogov.com/health-department.
At this time, you must live in Illinois or Wisconsin to be eligible to work at Lake County Health Department. You can find our salary gradesathttps://www.lakecountyil.gov/4515/Salary-Grades. For unionized positions, a list of our collective bargaining agreements can be found here: https://www.lakecountyil.gov/2686/Collective-Bargaining-Agreements.
Any offer of employment is conditioned on the successful completion of a background screening, drug and alcohol testing and may include a pre-employment medical exam.
The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics.
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Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Public Health Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in public health jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in public health or a closely related field from an accredited institution
- Illinois Department of Public Health program familiarity or prior experience with Illinois reporting systems
- Certified Health Education Specialist credential or Registered Environmental Health Specialist registration preferred
- Experience with epidemiological data analysis, community needs assessments, or public health program evaluation
- Proficiency in data tools such as SAS, SPSS, or ArcGIS for surveillance and reporting work
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for grant writing, policy briefs, and community outreach
Public Health Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a public health professional in Illinois?
Most public health roles in Illinois require at least a bachelor's degree in public health, health sciences, or a related field, with many positions requiring a master's degree. There is no single state license for all public health workers, but specific roles carry credentialing requirements: environmental health practitioners must register with the Illinois Department of Public Health, and health educators often pursue the Certified Health Education Specialist credential through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.
Which companies hire public health professionals in Illinois?
Companies currently hiring public healths in Illinois include Lake County, IL, Adams County, and Lasalle County, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Illinois also sees consistent hiring through county health departments, federally qualified health centers, and major academic medical centers with public health research programs.
Which Illinois cities have the most public health jobs?
Quincy, Waukegan, and Elgin have the most public health openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the largest share of listings because it is home to Cook County Health, the Illinois Department of Public Health's central offices, and numerous hospital systems and nonprofits, while Springfield and Rockford support steady hiring through state agencies and regional health departments.
Are there remote public health jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than many health fields, because a meaningful share of public health work involves data analysis, grant writing, policy development, and program coordination that can be done off-site. About 20% of public health openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting that flexibility. The roles most often offered remotely are epidemiology analyst, health policy consultant, and public health program manager positions.
How can I get hired as a public health professional in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a practicum or internship placed through an accredited public health program, which many Illinois employers treat as a pipeline into paid roles. Cook County Health, the Chicago Department of Public Health, and the Illinois Department of Public Health all run structured programs for new graduates. Adjacent roles such as community health worker, health educator aide, or disease intervention specialist frequently serve as stepping stones, and earning the Certified Health Education Specialist credential early signals readiness to hiring managers.
Where can I find and apply to public health jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to public health jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across the state. Search the roles that match your experience and specialty, and apply directly to whichever ones fit your background.
See All 12 Public Health Jobs in Illinois
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