Tobacco Prevention Project InternAt — Waymakers

Waymakers is leading a tobacco prevention project to advance policy, system, and environmental changes that protect communities disproportionately targeted by the tobacco industry. This project focuses on advocating for smoke-free communities, reducing exposure to secondhand smoke, and empowering residents to engage in policy advocacy. 

The Intern will support the coordination, implementation, and evaluation of the tobacco prevention project and community engagement activities under the guidance of the Project Supervisor.  This internship provides meaningful, hands-on experience as an active member of the project team. Interns will take on real responsibilities, contribute to community initiatives, and gain practical skills that support their professional growth and future career goals. 

Successful candidates will be collaborative team members who can also work independently, exercise good judgment, and take initiative to keep projects moving forward. The internship is primarily based in Irvine and Huntington Beach and follows a hybrid work schedule. This internship will require local travel, including some evenings and weekends, and will be directly supervised by the Project Supervisor.  

QUALIFICATIONS 

Required 

• Current student in Public Health or related field (Junior/Senior or Masters student)

• Interest in community outreach and engagement 

• Effective communication skills, including the ability or willingness to learn how to deliver presentations, facilitate discussions, and engage diverse audiences 

• Interest in health education and communications, with the ability or willingness to learn how to create educational materials, flyers, presentations, and social media content 

• Commitment to working respectfully with people from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds 

• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends and to travel locally to community sites 

• Reliable transportation for your regular commute and off-site work  

Preferred (but not required) 

• Bilingual in Spanish or Vietnamese  

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS 

Interns are paid $20 per hour. You are eligible to accrue paid sick leave in accordance with California law. All necessary work-related travel and expenses will be reimbursed based on the company travel policy, mileage is paid at the standard IRS mileage rate. This position is temporary, expected to complete 15 hours per week, completing at least 180 hours, up to 360 hours between September 2026 through June 2027. 

TRAVEL 

Must possess a valid California Driver’s License with a driving record that meets minimum standards established by Waymakers insurance carrier, proof of vehicle insurance, access to a vehicle and willingness to drive/travel when required.  

This internship requires regular travel within Orange County, including to and from Huntington Beach, community partner sites, and the Waymakers corporate office in Irvine. Interns must be prepared to travel during evenings and weekends as needed to support program activities and events.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Deadline to apply is September 30, 2026. The selected candidate will be required to pass a standard background check and must have authorization to work in the United States.

Tasks:

Assist with community education, policy, training, technical assistance, and evaluation activities by helping prepare educational materials, taking meeting notes, tracking action items, and supporting participant engagement. 
Support educational presentations, trainings, and outreach activities for community members, youth, partner organizations, and city leadership. 
Assist the Project Coordinator with outreach efforts and community events, including event planning, logistics coordination, and on-site event support. 
Help prepare post-event reports by summarizing outcomes and documenting key takeaways. 
Monitor and share local news, policy updates, and emerging trends related to tobacco prevention and public health. 
Assist in creating educational presentations, outreach materials, and social media content. 
Support grant reporting, data collection, and program evaluation activities. 
Attend and actively participate in team meetings, training sessions, and one-on-one check-ins. 
Maintain organized project files and records, and provide administrative support as needed. 
Perform other related duties and special projects assigned to support program goals, objectives, and professional development opportunities. 

Training:

During the 1st week, training will include a mandatory employer orientation that includes an overview of the organization, policies, and work practices. The student will also receive program orientation to receive background information on tobacco prevention project, grant objectives, and current program activities. The student will also participate in weekly staff meetings for project updates and receive weekly scheduled one-on-one meetings with the project supervisor to discuss assignments and address challenges. The student will participate in trainings, webinars, and professional development opportunities provided by the grant funder. The student will also receive task-specific training on community outreach, training facilitation, event coordination, professional communication, and grant reporting. The student will receive ongoing coaching and feedback throughout the entirety of the internship.

Learning Outcome:

By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to communicate professionally with diverse audiences, including community members, youth, partner organizations, and decision-makers through written, verbal, and digital communication methods. The student will be able to apply event planning and logistics coordination skills by assisting with community engagement events including trainings, meetings, and outreach activities. The student will be able to develop and deliver educational and outreach materials like social media content and educational resources that support tobacco prevention objectives. The student will be able to collect and analyze program data to support grant reporting and continuous quality improvement. The student will be able to demonstrate professional workplace competencies such as time management, adaptability, accountability, recordkeeping and ethical conduct in a hybrid workplace environment.