The mission of the Volunteer and Intern Program is to:

“Promote health and prevent illness in Saint Louis County by utilizing the skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm of citizens to assist health department staff in the delivery of services and programs.”

The Saint Louis County Department of Health promotes optimal health for people who live, work, or visit Saint Louis County. This is accomplished by monitoring and assessing the public health status of the County and developing programs and/or policies that prevent illness or injury.

With approximately 500 employees, the Department of Health plays a vital role in the public health of Saint Louis County. We provide a broad range of services and programs encompassing community and environmental health, medical services, and community education. Our vision is to be a progressive public health department whose efforts extend far beyond the walls of our office and clinic facilities to actively promote optimal health throughout the County. To accomplish this goal, the Department strives to identify, utilize, and appreciate the skills and knowledge of our citizen volunteers.

Because of public health’s broad focus, our volunteer opportunities are diverse and located throughout the County. Volunteers can work on a broad range of issues including Primary Health Care, Communicable Disease Control, Animal Control, Public Health Education, and Environmental Health Protection. To learn more about these areas, explore the links provided in the menu on the left.

Examples of just a few current volunteer opportunities are:

• ”Meet and Greeters” who help direct visitors at the County Health Centers.
• “Lunch Break Helpers” who help answer the Center for Disease Control main line during lunch hours and in the afternoon.
• “Organizing Wizards” who enter data, file, and help our offices run smoothly.
• “Event Helpers” who assist with Health Fairs and other one-time events.

If you are interested in any of these opportunities, or would like to learn about others, please contact our office at 314-615-6409 or send an e-mail to Volunteer.doh@stlouisco.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Internship opportunities may be available for students currently enrolled in a related undergraduate or graduate degree program. In general, internships are based around specific projects, interests, or course requirements. Most internships are unpaid.

Potential internship opportunities exist throughout the Department of Health including the following divisions: Environmental Health Protection, Communicable Disease Control, Public Health Administration, and Medical and Research Services. If you are interested in learning more about internship opportunities, please contact our office at 314-615-6409 or send an e-mail to Internship.doh@stlouisco.com.