Whatcom County Health & Community Services (WCHCS) is the public health leader in Whatcom County. WCHCS provides direct public health services to the community, promotes individual and community health, provides disease education and prevention services, tracks and reports public health data, prepares for and responds to health hazards and emergencies, and convenes stakeholders for policy and evidence-based decision making.

The Community Health & Human Services division works to alleviate social and institutional inequities, improve living conditions, reduce risk behaviors, and prevent disease and injury to ensure the community is thriving. This division includes a variety of programming including: Veterans, developmental disabilities, youth outreach, housing, early childhood, and nurse-family partnership. The intern will work with division leaders on administrative work, public policy, and systemic initiatives.

Intern will participate in community engagement, and work with direct service staff to get a better understanding of the populations served.

Intern will learn how to engage with partner agencies and working within a large agency. They will engage with various stakeholders and partners to develop relationships and build a network. Intern will attend division and program meetings to learn, collaborate, and contribute ideas.

Intern will have opportunities to advocate for community needs, including housing, mental health, substance misuse issues, health care. They will have the opportunity to attend or help support county-wide boards and commissions related to CHHS. They may also conduct research on best practices, perform literature reviews, and analyze information from various sources to inform program development and decision-making. There may be possible opportunities to meet and collaborate with local government leaders. The macro level of this work will be focused on Practice and Leadership in Communities and Organizations. This will include activities such as assessments (e.g. community, organizational, equity, and fiscal assessments), outreach and co-facilitating meetings/groups, strategic planning and opportunities to integrate the social work theories and best practices into programmatic action and policies.

Experience through education, internship or employment in your interested area of practice within Community Health & Human Services Division is strongly preferred. Bachelors degree and some post Bac work in social work or related field required. Knowledge of key social work principles and concepts, strong writing skills, proficient in Excel as well as comfortable working in one on one settings, as well as with groups. Experience in research is a bonus.

Complete a cover letter detailing your background and experience and please indicate which program(s) you are most interested in working with and why that program interests you. Please also share why you chose social work as a career path. Email to ABeck@co.whatcom.wa.us and JGay@co.whatcom.wa.us