Considering a career in Public Health?

Public health is a dynamic, multi-disciplinary field that encompasses a broad range of experts and specialties dedicated to promoting and protecting the health of people and the communities where they live, work and play.

There are hundreds of public health job categories, and projections show the need for many of those will increase in coming years.

There are plenty of ways to carve out a career niche in this exciting and uniquely rewarding arena.

Learn more below about options, opportunities and the Allen County Department of Health.

I started in the health department in 2001, and public health was completely new to me. The relationships I developed over the years and the passion I have seen in people for the sometimes unseen jobs they did kept me here. I'm very proud of the department I serve with.

Kristi Gephart, Vital Records Division director

I attended church as a young boy with the public health administrator, and I always thought I might work for the health department. Later – after almost 20 years in another job – I got that chance when I was asked to consider applying for a position in Vector Control. I remembered those thoughts from childhood and applied. I’ve now been with the Allen County Department of Health for about 23 years. I am at my best when I get to serve and, at its core, public health is about serving our community for the greater good.

Phil Steigerwald, environmental technician - Vector Control & Healthy Homes Program

In all of the jobs I have had, I have been blessed with the opportunity to contribute something meaningful to the lives of the individuals that I serve. While working in public health affords me that opportunity as well, it also allows me to have an impact on the greater community as a whole. It is one thing to care for a patient and make their life better in whatever small way you can. It is something entirely different to know that by helping your patient, you are also benefiting the larger community by preventing the spread of a communicable disease.

Elizabeth Larrabee, public health nurse

Allen County Department of Health career opportunities

Information Systems Coordinator

Seasonal Mosquito Technician

Administrative Assistant - HIV/STI

What we do

Our work is as diverse as Allen County residents themselves.

The Allen County Department of Health is made up of eight divisions – Administration and Finance, Clinical Services & Case Management, Communications, Environmental Services, Food & Consumer Protection, HIV & STD Prevention, Informatics and Vital Records – to carry out the 10 Essential Public Health Services.

Duties include:

Tracking and treating infectious diseases
Permitting, inspecting and regulating on-site sewage systems
Education and promotion of public health efforts
Permitting and inspecting food establishments as well as tattoo and body piercing businesses
Testing for and monitoring sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV
Providing routine vaccinations for children and adults
Issuing and maintaining important documents such as birth and death certificates

Learn more about what we do

Benefits

Allen County employees are offered an attractive and competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision coverage as well as paid time off - including holidays. Retirement packages offered include employer matching contributions up to 5%.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Accordingly, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, age, disability or medical condition, national origin, and veteran status, and all other categories protected by federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. Reasonable accommodations for persons with a known disabling condition will be considered in accordance with State and Federal Law.

Internships

The Allen County Department of Health periodically offers internship opportunities for college and university students to gain practical, on-site work experience to enhance jobs skills and increase knowledge about public health while earning academic credit and contributing to our work.

Timelines and duration:

Internships, generally, will follow the schedule of academic semesters: August to December (fall); January to May (spring); mid-May to August (summer). Other time periods can be considered.
An intern’s specific schedule (e.g. Number of hours per week) will be decided during the interview and placement process.

Deadlines:

Applications from interns will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. Because careful consideration must be given to space, resources and the availability of mentors, however, deadlines will be set on the receipt of applications for candidates seeking positions in the department.
For candidates seeking internships in the spring semester, applications must be received by November 15 to ensure vetting and review of qualifications.
For candidates seeking internships in the fall semester, applications must be received by May 15 to ensure vetting and review of qualifications.
For candidates seeking internships in the summer, applications must be received by March 15 to ensure vetting and review of qualifications.

Click here to apply

Partnerships with area schools, colleges and universities

We value and appreciate all opportunities to bolster students' knowledge through requests for information about our work.

To ensure the needs of students are met to the best of our abilities, students are asked to complete a form seeking basic information such as whether an interview or other information is sought, who is working on a particular project, what the project is about and when the project is due.

Download the form here

Search jobs in Allen County

Department of Health employment opportunities are listed among other Allen County jobs at the link to the right.

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Careers and Internships