Job Details
Internship: Environmental Health
2026-02-09 Hennepin County MN all cities,AK
Description:
Nice to have:
Interns will receive formal and on-the-job training in techniques and procedures essential to conducting various environment health and safety inspections, investigations and enforcement activities.
About the department:
Public Health works to improve and protect the health of children, adolescents and adults who live, learn, work or play in Hennepin County. Our ultimate purpose is to promote physical and mental health, prevent illness and injury associated with communicable diseases and environmental conditions, reduce chronic diseases, and enhance the well-being of individuals affected by mental illnesses and serious emotional disturbances.
About Hennepin County:
Hennepin is the largest county government organization in Minnesota. Our employees work every day to improve the health, safety and quality of life for our residents and communities. All of our jobs align with our mission to serve residents through transformative services that elimination of disparities, eliminate inequities, and create opportunity for all and our vision of a community where all people are healthy, all people are valued, and all people thrive.
Hennepin County envisions an organization where our commitment to diversity and the reduction of disparities is fundamental in providing excellent service to our community.
Your future. Made here.
Watch this video for application best practices and tips.
This posting may be used to fill current and future vacancies.
These positions will have access to systems or other documentation that contains HIPAA data.
Invitations to interview will be based upon an assessment of education and experience.
Final candidates may be required to complete a drug test and/or background check.
Hennepin County values employee retention and engagement through a culture of individual development. If you are a current employee looking for an internship you are responsible for communicating and seeking approval from your supervisor/manager on an arrangement on schedule and workload prior to accepting the paid internship position. The compensation for the internship will be paid at the amount advertised in this posting.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Talent Acquisition division
Hennepin County Human Resources department
Submit a request at hennepin.us/ask-hr or 612-###-####
internship2000
Paid/Unpaid Internships and student "work experiences" are non-permanent positions with no benefits.
01
The requirements of these positions are:
These positions are hybrid, based out of 479 Prairie Center Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344, will perform work at other various sites throughout Hennepin County, and remote as job duties require.
Internships will start in May 2026 and end in September 2026 with the potential to extend on a case-by case basis. The work schedule will primarily be 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday with hours between 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Occasional weekend hours may be required to accommodate special events.
Have a valid driver's license and the ability to provide your own reliable transportation to travel to sites throughout Hennepin County.
Ability to obtain a Hennepin County Driver's Permit.
Reliable internet connection and self-supported hybrid office space.
Ability and willingness to work some weekends, occasionally on short notice, to attend events and meetings for community organizations.
While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin.
Are you willing and able to meet these requirements?
02
What academic level are you currently, as of Spring 2026?
03
In which of the following fields are you currently enrolled as junior or senior year in a bachelor's degree program, a master's degree program student, or a recent graduate (within 1 year) from a bachelor's or master's degree program? Check all that apply.
04
Describe your relevant education including area(s) of study, school(s) attended, and degree(s) earned. If you do not have any relevant education, type "None" in the space provided.
05
Indicate your Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian status.
06
State the specialized environmental health certification(s) or license that you currently hold (e.g., certified pool operator, certified lead inspector, food safety certification, licensed septic installer, etc.) and the expiration date(s). If you do not have any specialized environmental health certifications or licenses, type 'None' in the space provided.
07
How many years of experience (including internship experience) do you have performing food and beverage facility inspections or related inspections?
08
Describe your experience performing food and beverage facility inspections or related inspections, making reference to positions listed in your resume. If you do not have this experience, type 'None' in the space provided.
09
In which of the following areas do you have experience conducting environmental health inspections? Check all that apply.
10
Briefly describe your experience conducting environmental health inspections making reference to positions listed in your resume. If you do not have this experience, type 'None' in the space provided.
11
Please choose the one recruitment source that best describes how you first learned about this job opening. Please review all possible choices before making your selection. Your response to this question helps us evaluate the effectiveness of our recruitment methods.
12
For the recruitment source selected above, please provide the specific name of the person, website, or media source.
Required Question
Salary: $23.00 - $23.50 Hourly
Location : Eden Prairie, MN
Job Type: Seasonal
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26HSPH831MH001
Department: Human Services and Public Health
Division: Environmental Health
Opening Date: 01/23/2026
Closing Date: 2/24/2026 11:59 PM Central
Description
Come join the Public Health Protection & Promotion division in Environmental Health to improve and protect the health of children, adolescents and adults who live, learn, work or play in Hennepin County. We are seeking three environmental health interns to perform licensed pool inspections and take beach water samples as well as other duties within environmental health program areas.
Current Hennepin County employees who refer a candidate hired into an open competitive position may be eligible for a $500 referral bonus. For more information visit employee referral program.
Find us here at upcoming career fairs!
Location and hours:
These positions are hybrid, based out of 479 Prairie Center Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344, will perform work at other various sites throughout Hennepin County, and remote as job duties require. Internships will start in May 2026 and end in September 2026 with the potential to extend on a case-by case basis. The work schedule will primarily be 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday with hours between 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Occasional weekend hours may be required to accommodate special events.
While these positions are designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin.
Pay will be based on the intern's educational degree program:
Enrolled or recent graduate in bachelor's degree: $23.00
Enrolled or recent graduate in master's degree: $23.50
About these position types:
These positions are seasonal, non-benefit earning internship positions.
These positions are internally classified as an Intern II.
Click to view the job classification specification.
Note: You must attach a resume with your application materials to be considered for these positions.
In these internships, you will:
- Inspect licensed public swimming pools for compliance with state and county ordinances.
- Collect water samples from public beaches.
- Educate, train, and advise operators on code requirements and assist with implementation of operational changes to meet standards.
- Become knowledgeable in other environmental health programs to assist with educational outreach and other duties as directed.
- Inspect food facilities for compliance with federal, state, and county food protection ordinances.
- Inspect and monitor special event stands and farmer's market stands.
- Inspect licensed lodging facilities for compliance with state and county ordinances.
- Organize environmental health projects if they fall within the scope of our program.
- Must be currently enrolled for the academic school year of 2025-2026 in either a:
- Bachelor's degree program as a junior or senior in environmental health, environmental science, food science, biology, chemistry, and/or related degree.
- Master's degree program in environmental health, environmental science, food science, biology, chemistry, and/or related degree. OR
- Recent graduate (within 1 year) with a bachelor's or master's degree in environmental health, environmental science, food science, biology, chemistry, and/or related degree.
- A valid driver's license, access to reliable transportation to travel to sites throughout Hennepin County and the ability to obtain a
- The ability and willingness to work some weekends, occasionally on short notice, to attend events and meetings for community organizations.
- Access to reliable internet and self-support hybrid workspace.
Nice to have:
- Experience:
- Working in a food service or hospitality environment where key responsibilities include adhering to local and state health and safety regulations.
- Conducting food and beverage facility inspections.
- Performing environmental health inspections/assessments, such as swimming pools, lodging facilities, etc.
- Working in a flexible working environment.
- Good organizational, time management, and analytical skills.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to be objective and effectively handle difficult situations.
- Eligibility to take the Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian exam after one year of experience. for test information.
Interns will receive formal and on-the-job training in techniques and procedures essential to conducting various environment health and safety inspections, investigations and enforcement activities.
About the department:
Public Health works to improve and protect the health of children, adolescents and adults who live, learn, work or play in Hennepin County. Our ultimate purpose is to promote physical and mental health, prevent illness and injury associated with communicable diseases and environmental conditions, reduce chronic diseases, and enhance the well-being of individuals affected by mental illnesses and serious emotional disturbances.
About Hennepin County:
Hennepin is the largest county government organization in Minnesota. Our employees work every day to improve the health, safety and quality of life for our residents and communities. All of our jobs align with our mission to serve residents through transformative services that elimination of disparities, eliminate inequities, and create opportunity for all and our vision of a community where all people are healthy, all people are valued, and all people thrive.
Hennepin County envisions an organization where our commitment to diversity and the reduction of disparities is fundamental in providing excellent service to our community.
Your future. Made here.
Watch this video for application best practices and tips.
This posting may be used to fill current and future vacancies.
These positions will have access to systems or other documentation that contains HIPAA data.
Invitations to interview will be based upon an assessment of education and experience.
Final candidates may be required to complete a drug test and/or background check.
Hennepin County values employee retention and engagement through a culture of individual development. If you are a current employee looking for an internship you are responsible for communicating and seeking approval from your supervisor/manager on an arrangement on schedule and workload prior to accepting the paid internship position. The compensation for the internship will be paid at the amount advertised in this posting.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Talent Acquisition division
Hennepin County Human Resources department
Submit a request at hennepin.us/ask-hr or 612-###-####
internship2000
Paid/Unpaid Internships and student "work experiences" are non-permanent positions with no benefits.
01
The requirements of these positions are:
These positions are hybrid, based out of 479 Prairie Center Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344, will perform work at other various sites throughout Hennepin County, and remote as job duties require.
Internships will start in May 2026 and end in September 2026 with the potential to extend on a case-by case basis. The work schedule will primarily be 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday with hours between 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Occasional weekend hours may be required to accommodate special events.
Have a valid driver's license and the ability to provide your own reliable transportation to travel to sites throughout Hennepin County.
Ability to obtain a Hennepin County Driver's Permit.
Reliable internet connection and self-supported hybrid office space.
Ability and willingness to work some weekends, occasionally on short notice, to attend events and meetings for community organizations.
While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin.
Are you willing and able to meet these requirements?
- Yes
- No
02
What academic level are you currently, as of Spring 2026?
- Junior level in a bachelor's degree program
- Senior level in a bachelor's degree program
- In a master's degree program
- Recent graduate (within 1 year) from a bachelor's degree program
- Recent graduate (within 1 year) from a master's degree program
- None of the above
03
In which of the following fields are you currently enrolled as junior or senior year in a bachelor's degree program, a master's degree program student, or a recent graduate (within 1 year) from a bachelor's or master's degree program? Check all that apply.
- Environmental health
- Environmental science
- Food science
- Biology
- Microbiology
- Chemistry
- Geology
- Biology, society & environment
- Another closely related field
- None of the above
04
Describe your relevant education including area(s) of study, school(s) attended, and degree(s) earned. If you do not have any relevant education, type "None" in the space provided.
05
Indicate your Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian status.
- I currently am an Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian.
- I am eligible to and will take the exam in the next 6 months.
- I am eligible to and will take the exam within one year of today's date.
- I will not be eligible to take the exam within one year of today's date.
06
State the specialized environmental health certification(s) or license that you currently hold (e.g., certified pool operator, certified lead inspector, food safety certification, licensed septic installer, etc.) and the expiration date(s). If you do not have any specialized environmental health certifications or licenses, type 'None' in the space provided.
07
How many years of experience (including internship experience) do you have performing food and beverage facility inspections or related inspections?
- I do not have this experience.
- Less than 1 year
- 1 year or more, but less than 2 years
- 2 years or more, but less than 3 years
- 3 years or more, but less than 4 years
- 4 years or more
08
Describe your experience performing food and beverage facility inspections or related inspections, making reference to positions listed in your resume. If you do not have this experience, type 'None' in the space provided.
09
In which of the following areas do you have experience conducting environmental health inspections? Check all that apply.
- Food and beverage
- Public health nuisance
- Septic
- Swimming pools
- Lodging
- Lead
- Tattoo/body art
- None of the above
10
Briefly describe your experience conducting environmental health inspections making reference to positions listed in your resume. If you do not have this experience, type 'None' in the space provided.
11
Please choose the one recruitment source that best describes how you first learned about this job opening. Please review all possible choices before making your selection. Your response to this question helps us evaluate the effectiveness of our recruitment methods.
- College or university (job board, career services, or instructor)
- Community or nonprofit organization (counselor, job board, etc.)
- Employee or recruiter of Hennepin County (supervisor/manager, colleague, or Human Resources)
- Friend or family member that is not a Hennepin County employee
- Hennepin County job notification emails
- Indeed.com
- Job fair or networking event
- Print advertisement (flyer, postcard, billboard, transit ad, etc.)
- Professional association (ASCE, APWA, ISACA, etc.)
- Social media (Handshake, Facebook, X, Instagram, etc.)
- hennepin.jobs or governmentjobs.com
12
For the recruitment source selected above, please provide the specific name of the person, website, or media source.
Required Question