Entry Level Public Health Specialist Jobs
New grad public health specialist jobs attract recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where a strong internship background or hands-on fieldwork can matter more than a long resume. Most openings mix on-site and remote settings across Education, Government & Public Sector, and Law & Legal Services, with employers like State of Ohio, State of Vermont, and State of Wyoming hiring at this level now.
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Showing 4 of 18+ Entry Level Public Health Specialist jobs
All job postings will expire at 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the application deadline.
246 North High Street, 1st Floor
Columbus, Ohio, 43215
United States
This posting expires on November 17, 2026.
Our mission at the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is advancing the health and well-being of all Ohioans. Our agency is committed to building a modern, vibrant public health system that creates the conditions where all Ohioans flourish.
The Center of Public Health Excellence (CPHE) focuses on systems changes to eliminate population-level disparities in Ohio.
- Coordinate and support rural health programs and initiatives.
- Provide technical assistance to rural communities, healthcare providers, and stakeholders.
- Plan and facilitate trainings, workshops, and outreach activities.
- Assist with community health assessments and program planning efforts.
- Support Rural Health Clinic designation and compliance activities.
- Develop educational materials, reports, and program communications.
- Assist with grant administration, contract management, and funding opportunities.
- Build and maintain relationships with community partners and healthcare organizations.
- Conduct research and respond to stakeholder inquiries regarding rural health programs.
Normal working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. This is an hourly position, with a pay range of 12 on the Ohio Health Care SEIU/1199 Pay Range Schedule.
Unless required by legislation, the selected candidate will begin at Pay Grade 12, Step 1 of the 1199 Pay Range Schedule ($32.69 per hour), with an opportunity for pay increase after six months ($34.35) of satisfactory performance and then a yearly raise thereafter.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
We only accept applications submitted online through this portal (careers.ohio.gov). To be evaluated for the role, your application must clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications and/or position specific minimum qualifications. We cannot give credit for experience, education, or training unless it is explicitly stated in the application. An assessment of these criteria may be conducted to determine the applicants who are interviewed.
ALL ANSWERS TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS MUST BE SUPPORTED BY THE WORK EXPERIENCE / EDUCATION PROVIDED ON YOUR APPLICATION.
STATUS OF POSTED POSITION:
You may check the status of your application by signing in to your profile on this website (careers.ohio.gov). We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application.
BACKGROUND CHECK INFORMATION:
The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.
EDUCATIONAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIREMENTS:
Official educational transcripts are required for all post-secondary education claimed on the application before a formal job offer can be made. Transcripts must be provided within five (5) working days of the request; failure to provide them will cause elimination from further consideration. Transcripts must be originals sent directly from the institution featuring an institutional watermark, ink stamp, or embossed stamp. Web printouts will not be accepted. ODH reserves the right to evaluate the credibility of any degree or educational institution.
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:
- Medical Coverage
- Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
- Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
- Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
- Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
- Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)
- Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.
Position Qualifications:
- 6 mos. exp. in providing direct service &/or consultation in a public health, community health, hospital &/or clinic setting, to include exp. in program evaluation, grant review, developing & presenting training programs & in facilitating &/or working collaboratively with coalitions or groups
- Completion of graduate core coursework in public health, health care, health administration or related field
- Must be able to provide own transportation.
- Or
- 18 mos. exp. in providing direct service &/or consultation in a public health, community health, hospital &/or clinic setting, to include exp. in program evaluation, grant review, developing & presenting training programs & in facilitating &/or working collaboratively with coalitions or groups
- Completion of undergraduate core coursework in public health, health care, health administration or related field
- Must be able to provide own transportation.
- Or
- Equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.
Additional Qualifications:
Applications of those who meet the minimum qualifications will be further evaluated against the following criteria:
- Bachelor’s or advanced degree in social or behavioral sciences, or in a medical or health related discipline
- Experience in planning, implementing and evaluating a health program
- Experience providing consultation and technical assistance to local agencies
- Experience facilitating meetings for boards or committees
- Experience planning meetings or conferences
- Experience in grant writing
- Experience in developing and presenting training material
- Experience working with Request for Proposals, Memorandum of Understanding or contracts
- Experience working with vendors to carry out contract deliverables
- Experience with computer software (e.g., Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Experience working with Rural Health Clinics, Federally-Qualified Health Centers, and/or health systems
All eligible applications shall be reviewed considering the following criteria: qualifications, experience, education, active disciplinary record, and work record.
Job Skills: Public Health
Technical Skills: Public Relations, Grant Administration, Program Management
Professional Skills: Consultation, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Attention to Detail, Analyzation, Strategic Thinking
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
All job postings will expire at 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the application deadline.
246 North High Street, 1st Floor
Columbus, Ohio, 43215
United States
This posting expires on November 17, 2026.
Our mission at the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is advancing the health and well-being of all Ohioans. Our agency is committed to building a modern, vibrant public health system that creates the conditions where all Ohioans flourish.
The Center of Public Health Excellence (CPHE) focuses on systems changes to eliminate population-level disparities in Ohio.
- Coordinate and support rural health programs and initiatives.
- Provide technical assistance to rural communities, healthcare providers, and stakeholders.
- Plan and facilitate trainings, workshops, and outreach activities.
- Assist with community health assessments and program planning efforts.
- Support Rural Health Clinic designation and compliance activities.
- Develop educational materials, reports, and program communications.
- Assist with grant administration, contract management, and funding opportunities.
- Build and maintain relationships with community partners and healthcare organizations.
- Conduct research and respond to stakeholder inquiries regarding rural health programs.
Normal working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. This is an hourly position, with a pay range of 12 on the Ohio Health Care SEIU/1199 Pay Range Schedule.
Unless required by legislation, the selected candidate will begin at Pay Grade 12, Step 1 of the 1199 Pay Range Schedule ($32.69 per hour), with an opportunity for pay increase after six months ($34.35) of satisfactory performance and then a yearly raise thereafter.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
We only accept applications submitted online through this portal (careers.ohio.gov). To be evaluated for the role, your application must clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications and/or position specific minimum qualifications. We cannot give credit for experience, education, or training unless it is explicitly stated in the application. An assessment of these criteria may be conducted to determine the applicants who are interviewed.
ALL ANSWERS TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS MUST BE SUPPORTED BY THE WORK EXPERIENCE / EDUCATION PROVIDED ON YOUR APPLICATION.
STATUS OF POSTED POSITION:
You may check the status of your application by signing in to your profile on this website (careers.ohio.gov). We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application.
BACKGROUND CHECK INFORMATION:
The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.
EDUCATIONAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIREMENTS:
Official educational transcripts are required for all post-secondary education claimed on the application before a formal job offer can be made. Transcripts must be provided within five (5) working days of the request; failure to provide them will cause elimination from further consideration. Transcripts must be originals sent directly from the institution featuring an institutional watermark, ink stamp, or embossed stamp. Web printouts will not be accepted. ODH reserves the right to evaluate the credibility of any degree or educational institution.
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:
- Medical Coverage
- Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
- Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
- Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
- Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
- Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)
- Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.
Position Qualifications:
- 6 mos. exp. in providing direct service &/or consultation in a public health, community health, hospital &/or clinic setting, to include exp. in program evaluation, grant review, developing & presenting training programs & in facilitating &/or working collaboratively with coalitions or groups
- Completion of graduate core coursework in public health, health care, health administration or related field
- Must be able to provide own transportation.
- Or
- 18 mos. exp. in providing direct service &/or consultation in a public health, community health, hospital &/or clinic setting, to include exp. in program evaluation, grant review, developing & presenting training programs & in facilitating &/or working collaboratively with coalitions or groups
- Completion of undergraduate core coursework in public health, health care, health administration or related field
- Must be able to provide own transportation.
- Or
- Equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.
Additional Qualifications:
Applications of those who meet the minimum qualifications will be further evaluated against the following criteria:
- Bachelor’s or advanced degree in social or behavioral sciences, or in a medical or health related discipline
- Experience in planning, implementing and evaluating a health program
- Experience providing consultation and technical assistance to local agencies
- Experience facilitating meetings for boards or committees
- Experience planning meetings or conferences
- Experience in grant writing
- Experience in developing and presenting training material
- Experience working with Request for Proposals, Memorandum of Understanding or contracts
- Experience working with vendors to carry out contract deliverables
- Experience with computer software (e.g., Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Experience working with Rural Health Clinics, Federally-Qualified Health Centers, and/or health systems
All eligible applications shall be reviewed considering the following criteria: qualifications, experience, education, active disciplinary record, and work record.
Job Skills: Public Health
Technical Skills: Public Relations, Grant Administration, Program Management
Professional Skills: Consultation, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Attention to Detail, Analyzation, Strategic Thinking
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
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Entry Level Public Health Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level public health specialist job?
Entry level public health specialist roles typically look for a bachelor's degree in public health, health sciences, or a related field, though some positions accept equivalent internship or volunteer experience. Candidates who stand out often have hands-on fieldwork, community outreach work, or a capstone project tied to real populations. Certifications like CPH or Certified Health Education Specialist credentials can also give new applicants a concrete edge.
Which companies hire entry level public health specialists?
Companies hiring entry level public health specialists right now include State of Ohio, State of Vermont, and State of Wyoming, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. At this level, hiring tends to come from government health agencies, nonprofit community organizations, hospital systems, and public health consulting firms with active grant-funded programs.
Are there remote entry level public health specialist jobs?
Yes, though many public health roles still require some in-person community or clinical work. About 67% of entry level public health specialist openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with fully remote positions more common in health data, program coordination, and policy analysis than in direct community outreach or field-based roles.
Are these new grad public health specialist jobs?
Yes, the openings on this page include new grad, recent graduate, and junior public health specialist roles. A posting is typically new-grad friendly when it welcomes zero to two years of experience, counts internships or practicums toward the requirement, or accepts a strong academic portfolio in place of full professional history. Look for language like "entry level," "new grad," or "no experience required" in the job description.
Which industries hire the most entry level public health specialists?
Entry Level public health specialist roles concentrate in Education, Government & Public Sector, and Law & Legal Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive hiring at this level because they receive public funding, federal grants, or accreditation requirements that create ongoing demand for trained public health professionals even at the junior stage.