Purpose: The purpose of this internship position is to support the Public Health Division’s Built and Natural Environment Analyst with an environmental justice project that advances our Climate & Health Adaptation Plan. This project aim to mitigate health risks for people living in an area with poor air quality and an urban heat island.
Background: The Climate & Health Intern will support implementation of a climate adaptation project (a Cooling Device Distribution program) within the Sunrise Corridor Community study area. This area consists of low-income residential pockets located throughout a regionally significant industrial area in unincorporated Clackamas County. Due to the type of development, land uses, and proximity to a number of freeways and major arterials, an existing conditions report conducted by the Clackamas County Public Health Department (CCPHD) in October 2023 indicated the area experiences high heat and poor air quality compared to the surrounding areas.
A Vision Plan for this area was developed with significant community engagement and approved by leadership in April 2025. As a next step, county staff, the leadership cohort, and a community coalition will work to identify and implement “early win” projects that were prioritized by community and align with the Vision Plan by Summer 2026. These early implementation projects will be implemented with support from the Sunrise Community Coalition and community organizations. A number of small projects identified address environmental exposures – heat and air quality specifically.
Intern Learning Objectives: The Climate & Health Intern will help explore and implement strategies for heat adaptation, which is an emerging area for public health. Through this internship, the intern will become familiar with:
• Public health data and mapping resources
• Gain experience in project coordination
• Conduct small scale community engagement
• Practice the strategic application of public health skills and expertise in delivering public health interventions that protect people from environmental exposures.
Anticipated Deliverables: The Climate & Health Intern will support the implementation and evaluation of our Cooling Device Distribution & Heat Education program that came out of the Sunrise Community Vision Plan. The intern will support CCPHD staff in the tasks and sub-tasks as described below. Additionally, an intern may support additional heat mitigation efforts as desired or available based on their interest. A Climate and Health Intern will support tasks 1-3 in the following scope. The Built Environment Analyst and other CCPHD staff will support aspects of the scope based on the intern’s interests, time availability, and skill set.
Cooling Device Distribution & Heat Education Program for High-Risk Community Members in the Sunrise Corridor
SCOPE OF WORK
Overview: As part of the Sunrise Corridor Community Heat Mitigation Project, Clackamas County Public Health Division (CCPHD) will distribute cooling devices (portable heat pumps and air conditioning units) in Spring 2026 to vulnerable community members in the Sunrise Corridor, along with landlord and tenant education on how to stay cool during high heat periods.
TASK 1. Finalize cooling device selection criteria and create intake form– February 2026
In Winter 2025-26, working with Sunrise Community Coalition Leadership Group, CCPHD will refine and finalize a distribution criterion that prioritizes outreach and education efforts and prioritizes eligibility for cooling device distribution in the Sunrise study area based on need an impact. Intern will use criteria to create intake form using platform such as survey monkey or other.
1.1. Using existing research and information, finalize selection criteria
1.2. Create intake form for interested individuals to sign up and select unity type
Deliverables: Finalized selection criteria and online intake form
TASK 2. Promote program and share extreme heat information with community stakeholders – January 2026–April 2026
With support from CCPHD staff, intern will compile existing, or develop new, education materials on the dangers of extreme heat. Intern will make a plan to connect with community stakeholders within the Sunrise Area to distribute program information. This may include calls/communications with landlords of, or doorhangers at, mobile home communities or multifamily housing complexes along 82nd Drive. Information will also be distributed through existing Sunrise Coalition communication channels.
This outreach will be targeted and focused based on a strategy developed by CCPHD staff and the intern.
Subtasks:
2.1. Develop 1-pager educational materials on heat risks and how to protect yourself
2.2. Create an outreach plan with locations, contacts, and distribution timeline
2.3. Create flyer of weatherization/climate device resources using information from H3S
2.4. Create installation and device maintenance FAQ
2.5. Share information via in-person events, door-to door hangers, emails, social media
Deliverables: 1. Heat risk 1-pager; 2. Outreach strategy; 3. Weatherization/climate device flyer; 4. Installation & cooling device FAQ; 5. Comms: in-person, door-to-door hangers, email
TASK 3. Order and install units – April-June 2026
In Spring 2026 (before summer temperatures arrive), cooling devices will be installed by H3S’s weatherization staff within the Sunrise Corridor study area based on intake forms and prioritization criteria. The intern will support the coordination and preparation of this effort.
Subtasks:
3.1. Create recipient list from intake forms and prioritization criteria
3.2. Create phased ordering and installation schedule.
3.3 Schedule deliveries: contact landlords, property managers, and residents to coordinate scheduling in alignment with H3S staff’s availability.
3.4. H3S will deliver and install units in 2-person teams—including translated instructions and moving instructions.
Deliverable: 20-25 cooling units installed
TASK 4. Documentation & Evaluation – Fall 2026 (not required as part of internship)
In Fall 2026, staff will check in with contacts to gain an understanding of user experiences and additional project feedback and to document and share findings.
Subtasks:
4.1. Develop measures for success
4.2. Engage in community outreach to solicit feedback
4.3. Create report, including 1-3 personal stories/testimonials
Deliverable: Demographics, and installation report
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Desired Qualifications for Intern: What qualifications would make for a successful student intern?
- Interest in environmental justice and/or climate & health
- Self-starter/motivated
- Organized
- Able to work independently and as part of a team
- Project management skills
- Strong communicator