About the Program

NYSPHC Fellowship Program

In the 2021 State of the State, the Governor announced the establishment of the first and best in the nation New York State Public Health Corps (NYSPHC) to build public health capacity to support COVID-19 response and recovery efforts and to increase preparedness for future public health emergencies. The Governor directed the New York State Department of Health (State Department of Health) to work with community partners to launch the NYSPHC Fellowship Program.

The NYSPHC Fellowship  Program provides individuals with professional  development opportunities to enhance and apply public health knowledge through  training, education, and mentorship. The Fellowship aims to expand Fellows’ public health networks  throughout their communities, resulting in a more robust New York State public health workforce.

The NYSPHC Fellowship Program provides paid, full-time positions through July 31, 2026, with opportunities at host organizations such as the State Department of Health, Local Health Departments (LHDs) and other public health system partners. Candidates eligible for the NYSPHC Fellowship Program include individuals with training or experience in public health, human services, nursing, allied health, healthcare, social services, communications, information technology, logistics, planning, education, data science, emergency preparedness, administration and operations.

Professional development is a critical component of the NYSPHC Fellowship Program. All NYSPHC Fellows will participate in an in-depth program orientation to introduce them to program components, requirements and expectations.

Fellows will be expected to successfully complete the following professional development requirements during work hours:

Cornell University’s Public Health Essentials (PHE) Certificate Program: PHE is an 80-hour online certificate program that introduces, reviews, and reinforces key aspects of public health. NYSPHC Fellows will complete the course over 15 weeks.
University of Miami’s Building Expertise in Administration and Management (BEAM) Certificate Program: BEAM is a 20-hour online certificate program developed by the de Beaumont Foundation and the University of Miami that introduces, reviews, and reinforces key aspects of budget and financial management in public health. NYSPHC Fellows will have 3 months to complete the course.
The Educational Training Series: NYSPHC Fellows and stakeholders will participate in trainings focused specifically on 10 public health core competencies, including change management; data-based decision-making; justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion; and budget and financial management.
Additional training as directed by the New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship Program

Fellows will also be highly encouraged to participate in statewide consortia, the annual fellowship summit, and cohort mentorship with a public health professional.

Hear from the Fellows

NYSPHC Fellowship Program: By the Numbers

The first cohort of NYSPHC Fellows concluded in July of 2024. During their time in the program, the NYSPHC Fellows engaged in various activities to develop their knowledge in the public health core competencies. Below are some the program highlights and an infographic describing the first cohort.

At a Glance

Timeline: July 2021 - June 2024
1,847 Applications
645 Hired Fellows
124 host organizations participate in the program including local health departments, State Department of Health and community-based organizations
59% of Fellows were hired into the public health or health care sectors after the fellowship
46% of hired Fellows have a master's degree.
84% of Fellows who responded to feedback surveys reported being satisfied or very satisfied with their fellowship one year into the program*

*Feedback surveys were distributed at regular intervals throughout the fellowship.

Number of Hired Fellows in Each Region

Capital Region —35
Central New York — 62
Finger Lakes — 41
Mid-Hudson — 59
Mohawk Valley — 11
Long Island — 57
North Country — 31
Southern Tier — 28
Western New York — 214
New York State Department of Health — 97

Diversity Amongst the Fellows

Compared to the State Department of Health public health workforce, NYSPHC has a higher percentage of Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic, multiracial, and male Fellows.

Source: Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey, 2021

Gender

Female — 70.6%
Male — 26.6%
Non-Binary — 1.8%
Prefer Not to Say — 0.9%

Race/Ethnicity

White — 54.9%
Black/African American — 17.2%
Asian — 13.1%
Hispanic/Latino — 7.7%
Two or More Races — 4.2%
Other — 1.3%
Prefer Not to Say — 1.6%

*The demographics survey had an 86% response rate. Respondents selected whether they identified as Hispanic or Latino and then selected which racial category/categories they most identified with.

Staffing Solutions Organization LLC (SSO)

The employer for New York State Public Health Corps Fellows is Staffing Solutions Organization LLC; (SSO). SSO will retain Fellows under their payroll and provides all applicable benefits to staff under the Fellowship Program.

New York State Public Health Corps Fellows will receive compensation based upon their qualifications and the job responsibilities. Each fellowship job posting on SSO’s portal will note the hourly rate.

Employees who work at least 30 hours or more per week are considered full-time employees with SSO. Employees scheduled over 30 hours on a regularly scheduled basis are eligible for health and welfare benefits after completing new hire enrollment. Employees are eligible for coverage on the first of the month following their date of hire.

Employees may also enroll their legal spouse, domestic partner, and eligible dependents up to age 26 for most plans. SSO offers medical plans through MVP healthcare for comprehensive coverage for medical and prescription needs. Also included in SSO’s benefit offering is employer paid life insurance, and employer paid long-term disability.

Additional voluntary benefits include supplemental life insurance, vision, dental, short-term disability, critical illness, pet insurance, dependent care assistance, parking plan, transit plan, and flexible spending accounts (FSA).

Furthermore, SSO offers an Employee Assistance Program for employees and their families with 24/7 support and resources.

SSO’s benefit offerings are provided on a calendar-year basis and offerings may vary from year to year.

Finally, SSO offers a 401(k) plan for enrollment upon hire. Employees are eligible for a discretionary employer match after meeting eligibility criteria and are vested in the employer contribution according to the 401k plan’s vesting schedule.

SSO is not an eligible employer under the federal government’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Public Consulting Group (PCG)

Public Consulting Group (PCG) has been based in Boston, Massachusetts for 38 years, providing staffing and project management support to public health related initiatives for the last 25 years.

PCG’s New York Project Team has residency and a strong presence across New York State and deep understanding of the local landscape and public health.

In partnership with their affiliate, Staff Solutions Organization LLC; (SSO), the PCG team will lead the recruitment, hiring, and ongoing staff management in partnership with the New York State Public Health Corps staff and host organizations.

Host Organizations

Host organizations for the New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship Program include the New York State Department of Health (State Department of Health), Local Health Departments (LHDs) and other community public health system partners.

Staffing Solutions Organization LLC (SSO) and Public Consulting Group (PCG) will recruit, screen, and hire all NYSPHC Fellows, who will report to the State Department of Health, LHD, or other community public health system partners. Each fellowship job posting will list the host organization. Host organizations will directly supervise the day-to-day activities of the NYSPHC Fellows.

Mentors

To enhance Fellows’ experience with the New York State Public Health Corps (NYSPHC) Fellowship Program, the New York State Department of Health (State Department of Health) identifies community-based volunteer Mentors to serve as professional role models and technical advisors. Mentors facilitate the Fellows’ peer-learning and provide relevant mentoring, career planning, and navigational support within the local and state public health landscape as the Fellows encounter new situations and challenges in new roles.

Mentors are public health professionals who have served or are currently serving the community or state with varying professional backgrounds, experience, and knowledge. Utilizing a cohort structure, identified Mentors will lead or co-lead a Fellow cohort between 4-8 people for up to two years with the expectation to meet at least quarterly either virtually or in person. Cohorts will be determined based on Mentor experience and knowledge, and Fellows’ Fellowship projects and interests. Cohorts will be regionally based pending availability; however, Mentors may have Fellows located throughout the state.

Mentors are recruited and nominated by the State Department of Health, local health departments (LHDs), community-based organizations, local universities, and other public health partner organizations.