Frequently Asked Questions

Fellowship FAQs

What is a New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship?

A fellowship is a short-term opportunity to enhance your professional development in a particular field. The New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship Program provides 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. Through the New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship Program, you can get paid, full-time hands-on experience in the field of public health.

Who can become a New York State Public Health Corps Fellow?

Candidates eligible for the paid, full-time positions with the New York State Public Health Corps 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 are encouraged to apply. Please refer to the specific Staffing Solutions Organization LLC’s Fellowship job posting to which you are applying, as the minimum qualifications may vary depending on the responsibilities needed for the position.

Is the New York City (NYC) Public Health Corps Fellowship Program a part of the New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship Program?

No. The NYC Public Health Corps Fellowship Program is an independent program. To learn more about the NYC Public Health Corps please click here.

Is a New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship a medical fellowship?

No. The New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship is NOT a medical fellowship for physicians who have finished medical school and completed a residency in their medical specialty. However, individuals interested in public health with a background in healthcare, medicine, nursing, and allied health are encouraged to apply.

Do I have to be a licensed medical professional to apply?

No. However, individuals interested in public health with a background in healthcare, medicine, nursing, and allied health are encouraged to apply.

What professional development opportunities will the New York State Public Health Corps Fellows be expected to complete?

Professional development is a critical component of the New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship Program. Fellows are expected to successfully complete the following professional development requirements during work hours:

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

What is the time commitment?

The New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship Program offers full-time positions (35 to 40 hours per week) with a commitment to the Fellowship Program through July 31, 2026.

Where are the Fellowships located?

The New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship Program is a statewide program with opportunities in most counties. Fellowships will be located at host organizations such as the New York State Department of Health, Local Health Departments, or other public health systems partners.

Does the NYSPHC Fellowship Program provide a stipend for relocation?

No. The fellowship program does not include a stipend for relocation.

Can New York State Public Health Corps Fellows work remotely?

Remote work is at the discretion of the host organization. Each NYSPHC Fellowship job posting on Staffing Solutions Organization LLC’s career portal will indicate whether the position is in-person, remote, or a combination of the two.

What is the start date of the 2024-2026 NYSPHC Fellowship Program cohort?

The application period for the 2024-2026 Fellowship Program cohort has closed. The 2024-2026 Fellowship Program cohort’s final remaining start date is January 13, 2025. The fellowship term will end on July 31, 2026.

Which New York State Department of Health Offices and Centers will have New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship opportunities?

Some of the Offices and Centers hosting Fellows include:

  • Wadsworth Center
  • Center for Environmental Health
  • Center for Community Health
  • Office of Health Equity and Human Rights
  • Office of Primary Care and Health Systems Management
  • And more!

Application FAQs

How does an applicant apply for a fellowship job posting?

Each fellowship job posting will be listed on the New York State Public Health Corps “Fellowship Opportunities” page. An applicant will be able to search for fellowship job postings by county and job title. After an applicant has identified the fellowship job postings they want to apply to, they should click on each separate fellowship job posting link. The unique link will open Staffing Solutions Organization LLC’s (SSO) career portal for that specific fellowship job posting. Then an individual will be able to apply on SSO’s career portal.

Does an applicant need to apply for each fellowship job posting they have an interest in?

Yes. Please apply for each fellowship job posting you have an interest in by clicking on the link for every position you wish to apply for. Each time that will open Staffing Solutions Organization LLC’s career portal. The application for each specific position will be available on Staffing Solutions Organization LLC’s career portal. For example, if you are interested in five positions, you must submit five separate applications. One application per position.

Can a NYSPHC Fellow reapply to the NYSPHC Fellowship Program?

Individuals who have been in the New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship Program for less than one year, come June 30, 2024, for Fellows working at a local health department/community-based organization or July 31, 2024, for Fellows working at the New York State Department of Health, are eligible to reapply. If you are unsure of your eligibility, please send an email to [email protected].

Is there a deadline for the application process?

The application period for the 2024-2026 Fellowship Program cohort has closed. Please check back in the summer of 2025.

Can an applicant’s internship be counted towards their work experience?

Yes. Internships can count towards the work experience specified in the job postings.

Does an applicant’s degree need to be in public health?

No. An applicant’s degree does not need to be in public health.

Does an applicant’s references need to be from individuals working in the public health field?

No. The applicant’s references do not need to be from individuals working in the public health field. They need to be professional references who can speak to your character, such as former or current supervisors or professors, or leaders in the community.

Does an applicant need their professional references to provide letters of recommendation?

No. Please provide the name and contact information of two professional references only.

How can references be submitted?

To submit references, simply upload a PDF with information from two professional references in the designated section of the application. Make sure to provide two forms of contact, including an email address and phone number.

Is there a specific length or format that needs to be followed for the cover letter?

The cover letter should be a personal statement that is no longer than 500 words. It should highlight why you are the ideal candidate for the program.

Is it possible to save the application and return to it later?

No. The application does not have a save function. However, you can create a profile within the application system, and upload and save your resume, cover letter, and professional references.

Can an applicant apply to a county that does not have a position listed?

If there are no listed openings for your preferred county, the county does not have any openings and is not accepting applications.

When should an applicant expect a decision about their application?

For the 2024-2026 cohort, applicants should receive a status update by the end of January 2025.


Compensation & Benefits FAQs

Which entity is the employer of the New York State Public Health Corps Fellows?

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.

Does Staffing Solutions Organization LLC sponsor visas for New York State Public Health Corps Fellows?

No. SSO does not sponsor visas.

Is Staffing Solutions Organization LLC (SSO) an eligible employer under the federal government's Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program?

No. SSO is not an eligible employer under PSLF.

Are the New York State Public Health Corps Fellows paid?

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

What benefits are provided to the New York State Public Health Corps Fellows?

Employees who work at least 30 hours or more per week are considered full-time employees with Staffing Solutions Organization LLC; 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.

Do New York State Public Health Corps Fellows have time away from work benefits?

Staffing Solutions Organization LLC offers paid Time Off (PTO) - Employees receive 10 days (80 hours) of paid time off per year that is accrued on a bi-weekly basis.

Paid Holidays - All employees will receive 11 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday (personal day of their choice). The recognized holidays are: New Years Day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

New York State Emergency COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave - SSO Provides COVID sick time as legally required. Because the details of these provisions often fluctuate based on the direction of NY State government, please contact HR regarding these provisions. SSO ensures compliance with the most current local, state, and federal requirements.

Employees may be eligible for other paid time off such as bereavement and jury duty.