Job Description

Posting number: 2026DB28031

Department: DPH - Public Health

Division: Health Sciences

Job classification: Intern II (Undergraduate Intern) (Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines)

Posting type: Open

Categories: Internship

Summary

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This position is currently open to current students enrolled in higher education. This position works with the Administrative and Finance Unit in the Division of Health Sciences. The Division itself works on various topics including, tobacco, cannabis issues, and overdose prevention. The Division also includes data analysis, epidemiology, and assessment functions that are non-infectious disease-related.

This finance intern position with Seattle King County’s Health Sciences Division offers a unique opportunity to explore the financial workings of the public sector in a real-world setting. The division manages a diverse array of funding sources, including federal, state, settlement funds, and local streams, making it an ideal environment for developing practical skills in fund management and public finance. Interns will gain hands-on experience supporting budgeting, reporting, and analysis while learning how financial strategies are implemented to support public health initiatives.

What makes this opportunity stand out is the dynamic and inclusive team culture. Interns receive close mentorship from experienced finance professionals and are encouraged to contribute to meaningful work that impacts the broader community. For candidates, this internship represents more than a resume builder, it's a launchpad into public service finance, with exposure to complex fund structures and a collaborative environment that values growth, curiosity, and purpose.

The Finance Intern will support the Health Sciences Division in a hands-on learning role focused on public sector financial management. This position offers exposure to a wide range of funding sources including federal, state, settlement, and local streams as well as and provides practical experience in budgeting, fund tracking, and financial reporting. It’s an ideal opportunity for a student or early career professional looking to build foundational skills while contributing to impactful public health initiatives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.

Please note: Interns typically start at step one of the pay range.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Examples of duties

• Assist in tracking and managing multiple funding sources, including federal, state, and local grants.
• Support preparation of financial reports, reconciliations, and budget summaries.
• Perform data entry, spreadsheet maintenance, and analysis tasks in Excel or other financial tools.
• Collaborate with team members to streamline financial workflows and ensure compliance with funding guidelines.
• Participate in team meetings and contribute to discussions on fiscal planning and program funding.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required:

• Applicants must be students enrolled in an undergraduate program, majoring in accounting, finance, or public administration.
• A strong candidate will have experience with Microsoft products and some understanding of finance. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel, Outlook, and Teams, with the ability to manage and interpret financial data using spreadsheets and digital communication tools.
• A foundational understanding of financial principles and practices, such as budgeting, expense tracking, and fund accounting—either through coursework, previous internships, or project-based experience.
• A strong interest in public service finance, particularly within the context of healthcare or public health initiatives.
• Curiosity and initiative when navigating complex funding structures, including federal, state, and local funding sources.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail and a willingness to learn.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills to support clear reporting and collaboration within a team-oriented environment.
• A proactive mindset and eagerness to contribute to projects that support community well-being and fiscal transparency.

Supplemental information

Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Application Process

If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County’s vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Debbie Baker (debbaker@kingcounty.gov).

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Who May Apply

This position is open to students currently enrolled in a higher education institution.

The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• NEOGOV Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Cover Letter - Addressing your interest in the position along with how you meet the qualifications of the position.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

Necessary Special Requirements

• The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation
• For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx-la=en.
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
• When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CLA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.
• If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Work Schedule:

This position is part-time up to 20 hours a week. Scheduling is flexible depending on school classes.

Work Location:

This position is in-person and based out of the Chinook Building, 401 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Union Membership:

This position is not represented by a Labor Union.

Contact:

For questions about this recruitment Debbie Baker (debbaker@kingcounty.gov).