Public Health Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Public health professionals have solid visa sponsorship options, particularly those with MPH or doctoral degrees. Universities, hospitals, research institutions, government contractors, and large nonprofits like the CDC Foundation are common sponsors. H-1B is the primary route, and roles involving epidemiology, biostatistics, or health policy research have the strongest specialty occupation cases. Many public health positions at universities and nonprofits are H-1B cap-exempt, which means no lottery. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do. The Office of STIs and HCV (OSH) is part of the Division of HIV, STIs, and HCV, within the Center for Infectious Diseases, of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The CDPH is dedicated to protecting and optimizing the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. The mission of CDPH’s Office of STIs and HCV is to reduce the transmission and impact of sexually transmitted infections (STI), mpox and viral hepatitis in California, particularly among communities disproportionately affected by these infections. Because diversity, equity and inclusion are at the core of our public health work, Office of STIs and HCV embraces and values the contributions of all communities across California to fulfill our public health mission. In collaboration with local health jurisdictions and other community partners in public and private sectors, Office of STIs and HCV supports equitable STI, mpox and viral hepatitis prevention and control efforts by providing statewide leadership, policy, guidelines, training, technical assistance, surge capacity and outbreak response; and by supporting safety-net service delivery in priority settings and populations.
Department Website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/About.aspx
Office Website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/STD.aspx
“The salary information listed on this advertisement may not reflect recent salary increases from salary adjustments or changes in the fiscal year.”
“CDPH is an E-Verify Employer”
Job Description And Duties
THERE IS ONE VACANCY BEING ADVERTISED ACROSS MULTIPLE COUNTIES. THE INCUMBENT WILL BE HEADQUARTERED IN THE COUNTY NEAREST THE RESIDENCE OF THE SELECTED CANDIDATE. THE COUNTIES ARE:
- Sacramento or Contra Costa
This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by advancing health equity and working within a team of public health and medical professionals in planning, implementing, and evaluating clinical and public health programs to reduce the burden and health disparities of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), hepatitis C Virus (HCV), HIV, mpox, and other communicable diseases in California. The Public Health Medical Officer (PHMO III) will initiate, organize, and direct programs that are clinical, epidemiological, or operational in nature and translate outcomes to program and public health policy improvement. The PHMO III will provide medical and programmatic consultation across the Office of STIs and HCV (OSH). Consult with national, state, and local health programs as well as private, academic, and public sector medical and laboratory partner organizations in California; develop and deliver educational programs for clinicians and public health professionals; assist medical providers and disease intervention specialists with clinical case management challenges; write and review health alerts, dear colleague letters, evidence-based clinical guidelines, provider job aids and other clinically relevant documents; and identify and implement strategies to advance health equity and reduce disproportionate disease burdens among historically underserved populations, including people from diverse racial, ethnic, sexual, and gender identities. The incumbent works under the administrative direction of the Public Health Medical Officer III – Epi Supervisor, Chief of the Medical and Scientific Affairs Section in the Office of STIs and HCV (OSH).
In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 4.62% in exchange for 8 hours of leave credits through December 2026. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction. Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CDPHRecruitment
Final Filing Date: 3/19/2026
Position Details
Job Code #: JC-510495
Position #(s): 581-440-7705-001
Working Title: Public Health Medical Officer
Classification: PUBLIC HEALTH MEDICAL OFFICER III $14,425.00 - $19,790.00 B $14,763.00 - $20,259.00 C
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions: 1
Work Location: United States
Telework: Hybrid
Job Type: Permanent, Full Time
Should you have any questions regarding the application process, our Recruitment Team is ready to help you at Apply@cdph.ca.gov or (916) 445-0983.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Public Health
Target academic positions at schools of public health
Faculty and research positions at universities are H-1B cap-exempt, requiring no lottery. CEPH-accredited schools of public health - including Columbia Mailman, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg, and Emory Rollins - regularly hire international researchers and faculty. These roles also provide access to NIH-funded research that builds your publication record.
Focus on biostatistics or data science within public health
Biostatisticians and public health data scientists combine epidemiological knowledge with advanced statistical programming skills, making them difficult to replace. These roles are more likely to have STEM-eligible CIP codes for OPT purposes and command higher salaries that support stronger H-1B petitions. Proficiency in SAS, R, and Python is essential.
Apply to global health organizations with U.S. offices
Organizations like PATH, FHI 360, JSI, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative operate globally but maintain U.S. headquarters that hire public health professionals. Your international perspective and language skills may be particularly valued for programs operating in your home region. These nonprofits are accustomed to employing international staff.
Explore health consulting firms as a private-sector path
Firms like McKinsey (healthcare practice), Guidehouse, Avalere Health, and Mathematica hire public health professionals for policy analysis and program evaluation. Private-sector employers often have more flexibility and willingness to sponsor than government agencies. Consulting experience can also lead to opportunities at multilateral organizations later.
Build expertise in emergency preparedness or infectious disease
Post-pandemic investment in public health infrastructure has created sustained demand for professionals with expertise in outbreak response, surveillance systems, and emergency preparedness. State and local health departments - many of which can sponsor visas - are expanding these teams. Specialized training in these areas makes you a strong candidate for positions that are hard to fill domestically.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can public health professionals get H-1B visa sponsorship?
Yes. Public health roles that require a master's degree (MPH, MSPH, or DrPH) qualify as specialty occupations for H-1B purposes. Positions in epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy analysis, and program evaluation at hospitals, nonprofits, and consulting firms are commonly sponsored. However, many federal government positions at agencies like the CDC require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, so focus on academic, nonprofit, and private-sector employers.
Is public health eligible for STEM OPT?
Some public health concentrations qualify for STEM OPT depending on the program's CIP code. Biostatistics, epidemiology, and environmental health programs are often classified under STEM-eligible codes. Health policy and community health education programs typically are not. Check your specific program's CIP code with your university to confirm eligibility.
Are there public health roles at government agencies open to visa holders?
Most federal positions at agencies like the CDC and HHS require U.S. citizenship, but there are exceptions. Contractor positions supporting federal agencies, ORISE (Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education) research fellowships, and state or local health department roles may be open to visa holders. Academic positions at CEPH-accredited schools of public health are another strong option, as universities can file cap-exempt H-1B petitions.
What certifications are valuable for public health careers and visa petitions?
The Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential from the National Board of Public Health Examiners demonstrates foundational competency across all public health disciplines. For epidemiologists, the Certified Epidemiologist credential adds specialized value. SAS, R, or Python certifications for biostatistics roles, and PMP certification for program management roles, also strengthen both your resume and your visa petition.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Public Health jobs?
When a U.S. employer sponsors a foreign worker for a work visa, they are legally required to pay at least the "prevailing wage" — the average wage paid to workers in the same occupation, in the same geographic area, with similar experience. This is set by the Department of Labor to prevent employers from hiring foreign workers at below-market rates. The prevailing wage varies significantly by role, location, and experience level — for example, a public health in New York will have a different prevailing wage than the same role in a smaller state. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search.
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