The Monterey County Health Department exists to enhance, protect, and improve the health Monterey County residents and environments. MCHD provides a wide variety of health-related services in the areas of behavioral health, clinic services, emergency management services, environmental health, public guardianship, and public health.
Program Information General Description of what students will be doing at this Site: The Monterey County Health Department, Office of Equity, is dedicated to promoting health equity and social justice throughout the diverse communities of Monterey County. Our goal is to give every resident of Monterey County a fair and equitable opportunity to live a healthy life, regardless of who they are and where they live.
As an intern with the Office of Equity, you will play a key role in advancing health equity by supporting the development and empowerment of youth through meaningful engagement initiatives. As an intern, you will actively contribute to the development of a Youth Empowerment Program aimed at amplifying youth voice and leadership across Monterey County. Your work will support efforts to engage young people, strengthen their role in community and public health initiatives, and help create meaningful opportunities for youth to influence positive change.
Key Responsibilities:
-Youth Program Development: Collaborate with staff and youth to design the structure, goals, and operational guidelines of the Youth Empowerment Program. Assist in drafting program materials, outreach plans, and recruitment strategies to engage diverse youth participants.
-Community Engagement: Support outreach efforts by connecting with schools, youth organizations, and community groups to promote the Youth Empowerment Program and encourage participation.
-Meeting Coordination: Help organize and facilitate Youth Empowerment meetings, including preparing agendas, taking notes, and documenting feedback and action items.
-Public Health Education: Assist in developing educational materials, curriculum and presentations to inform youth about health equity issues and increase youth capacity.
Desired Intern Characteristics: The County of Monterey is seeking interns who are passionate about youth engagement, community development, and inclusive leadership. Ideal candidates will bring a collaborative spirit, a strong sense of initiative, and a commitment to amplifying youth voices.
Desired characteristics include:
-Strong Communication Skills: Ability to communicate clearly and respectfully with diverse audiences, including youth, staff, and community stakeholders.
-Organizational Abilities: Detail-oriented with the capacity to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and contribute to project planning and coordination.
-Team-Oriented Mindset: Willingness to work collaboratively with peers and staff while contributing positively to group dynamics.
-Professionalism: Dependable, punctual, and accountable in meeting responsibilities and representing the organization.
Special Considerations:
-Youth Empowerment-Centered Role: This internship will directly support the formation and growth of a youth empowerment program. Interns should be prepared to engage with young people in co-creative processes, help facilitate meetings or workshops, and support youth in shaping agendas, priorities, and decision-making structures.
-Flexible Scheduling: Some meetings or events may occur during evenings or weekends to accommodate youth availability. Interns should have some flexibility in their schedule to support these engagements.
- Confidentiality and Trust-Building: Interns will be working closely with young people and may be privy to sensitive discussions. Maintaining confidentiality and fostering a safe, respectful environment is essential.
- Travel: Depending on the structure of the youth council, interns may be asked to support in-person activities. Access to transportation may be necessary.
Interprofessional opportunities available for the student: Interns will have opportunities to:
- Collaborate with Cross-Sector Teams: Work alongside staff and leaders from youth services, education, public health, and community development organizations involved in the youth council initiative.
- Engage with Community Stakeholders: Participate in meetings or outreach efforts that involve local government representatives, nonprofit partners, school administrators, and youth-serving agencies.
- Contribute to Systems-Level Work: Observe and assist in efforts that connect youth voices to policy, advocacy, and programmatic planning at the organizational or community level.
Concentration:
- Public Health
- Public Administration/ Non-profit Management
Format of Service: In-Person Service
Type of Service: Indirect Service
The following CHHS Competencies that the student will be exposed to:
- Collaboration
- Leadership
- Personal & Professional Communication
- Professional Development
- Systems Management
Trainings/ staff meetings offered or required: Monterey County offers equity trainings periodically. Additional on boarding trainings are also required.