Job Openings

2026 Fall Internship

Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) is searching for motivated undergraduate students, graduate students, or recent graduates to join our Fall 2026 internship program, running from September 2026 to December 2026.

Located in Washington, DC, TFAH is a non-profit, non-partisan public health policy, research, and advocacy organization that promotes optimal health for every person and community and makes the prevention of illness and injury a national priority. TFAH envisions a nation that values the health and well-being of all and where prevention and health equity are foundational to policymaking at all levels of society. TFAH’s key focus areas include public health preparedness, obesity, health equity, substance misuse and suicide, public health funding, population health, and healthy aging – all with an emphasis on advancing health equity and addressing the social and economic factors that affect a person’s and community’s health.

During the internship, the selected candidates will have the chance to gain hands-on experience on a variety of public health policy-related issues, enhance their professional skills, and receive mentorship and general professional development opportunities.

If you are passionate about making a positive impact through advocacy, strategic communications, and policy development, we would love to hear from you! This paid fall internship, which runs from September 2026 to December 2026, requires the intern to work 20 to 30 hours per week. TFAH is currently seeking an intern for each of the following opportunities:

Communications and Policy Research: TFAH’s Communications and Policy Research team engages in strategic communications and outreach activities, and disseminates relevant and timely research, analysis, and evidence of proven practices to inform decision makers and stakeholders to foster policy change. The Communications and Policy Research intern will help with data collection, internet research and literature reviews, researching and drafting communications/marketing documents, graphic design and video production, and assisting with the planning and promotion of webinars, report releases, and social media campaigns. The intern will also attend briefings, hearings, meetings and participate in other organizational efforts.

Government Relations: TFAH’s Government Relations team builds and maintains relationships with federal executive and legislative officials and works with national partners and policymakers to impact policy change. The Government Relations intern will help with researching Congressional background information, and other materials; setting up meetings with Congressional staffers and partners; doing research for and drafting regulatory letters; and entering information into a database. The intern will also attend briefings, hearings, meetings and participate in other organizational efforts.

Note: The intern may provide support to other departments at TFAH as needed.

Requirements

The ideal candidate for this internship should be currently enrolled in or a recent graduate of a program in public health, public policy, political science, communications, or a related field. A strong interest in public health and policy, particularly regarding promoting health equity and addressing the social determinants of health within TFAH’s priority areas, is desired. Strong writing and organizational abilities are a must, as well as the ability to work collaboratively as well as independently.

This is a paid internship, offering $20.00 per hour for undergraduate students and $24.00 per hour for graduate students. We have a hybrid work environment. This position is based in Washington, DC and requires two days in the office.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should complete this application form. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. For questions, please contact [email protected]

Trust for America’s Health is an equal opportunity employer. TFAH does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.

Senior Public Affairs Manager

The Senior Public Affairs Manager leads Trust for America’s Health’s public affairs and external communications efforts, helping elevate the organization’s research, policy recommendations, and expertise. This role translates complex public health research into clear, impactful messages for policymakers, partners, and the media and plays a key role in strengthening TFAH’s voice and influence in a non-partisan policy environment.

Core Responsibilities
Reporting to the Director of Strategic Communications and Policy Research, core responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Develops and executes external communications and public affairs strategies to raise awareness of TFAH, elevate its expertise, and promote its research, policy recommendations, and thought leadership.
Develops communications products, including press releases, public statements, talking points, Q&As, and other external-facing materials.
Creates communications materials for TFAH leadership, including speeches, presentations, webinar scripts, briefing memos, and talking points, in close partnership with internal subject matter experts.
Partners closely with the Associate Director of Policy Research to identify strategic communications opportunities stemming from TFAH’s anchor reports and related policy work, translating complex research into compelling, audience‑appropriate messages.
Writes and edits digital content for TFAH platforms, including website copy and social media content – such as LinkedIn posts for TFAH leadership – to proactively amplify TFAH’s mission, research, and policy recommendations.
Supports TFAH’s media relations and earned media efforts by monitoring traditional media coverage and social media conversations; triaging and responding to media inquiries; supporting proactive media outreach; and helping secure coverage of TFAH reports, policy briefs, initiatives, events, and other activities.
Prepares and coaches TFAH spokespeople for media interviews and public appearances, developing briefing materials and key messages to ensure consistency, accuracy, and
Leads the development of TFAH’s annual report and other major promotional publications by drafting content and coordinating design and layout with external
Works closely with the Social Strategy and Web Publishing Manager to ensure TFAH.org and org content is timely, aligned with current events, highlights TFAH expertise, and supports a strong and accessible user experience.
Establishes and maintains relationships with partner, coalition, and stakeholder organizations, leveraging these networks to advance TFAH’s communications, public affairs, and policy goals.

Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:

A minimum of 8 years of experience in external communications or public
Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, public health, public policy, or related field.
Outstanding writing skills and the ability to communicate clearly and concisely under tight deadlines.
Demonstrated ability to accurately interpret and synthesize research findings and public health issues into accessible language for a variety of channels and audiences.
Experience with multichannel communication approaches and traditional media/social media monitoring.
Experience crafting issue and response documents and
Working knowledge of public health
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals at all levels and from various
Experience working with outside vendors and communication
Working understanding of website content management systems and user-experience
Ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, and deadlines at
Strong organizational and project management skills, the ability to think logically, and pay close attention to details.
Ability to work both independently and with a team with confidence and
Ability to work well under time constraints, willingness to take initiative and assume responsibility where and when needed, flexibility to change approach as deemed
Unwavering commitment to a non-partisan approach and the gravitas and maturity to engage with diverse audiences and perspectives; a proven ability to build strong professional relationships and connect diverse audiences to TFAH’s work.

Compensation
Salary range is $110,000-$130,000 annually. Individual salary is based on various factors unique to each candidate, including skill set, experience, education, and other qualifications. Comprehensive benefits package includes 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage (spouse and/or dependent coverage available at a subsidized rate), retirement plan, paid parental leave, fitness benefit, and more. We have a hybrid work environment, providing staff with flexibility that supports productivity while meeting the needs of our diverse team. This position is based in Washington, DC, with the ability to telework up to three days per week.

To Apply
Applicants should submit a cover letter and résumé to [email protected] with “Senior Public Affairs Manager” in the subject line. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.