Host Site Eligibility & Requirements

Key points

• Host site selection is based upon the scope and quality of the work plan submitted with applications.
• The primary or secondary host site supervisor must be onsite, with the associate, at least three days per week ensuring that associates can access meaningful professional development opportunities during their two-year assignment.
• The host site is responsible for helping associates achieve applicable performance requirements.

Who can apply to be a host site?

Each associate is assigned to a designated host site and host site supervisor(s) for a two-year term.

Host sites from state, tribal, local, and territorial public health agencies; nongovernmental organizations such as community-based organizations, public health institutes and associations; and academic institutions are encouraged to apply to host an associate.

Assignments must be suitable for recent graduates with a bachelor's or master's degree with little or no work experience in public health.

Eligibility

Selection criteria, specified during the application process, typically include:

• Detailed description(s) of host site assignment activities and deliverables.
• Ability of the host site to support the associate as a team member (e.g., resources, training needs for the associate, travel support for training, etc.).
• Demonstrated capacity to provide associates with employment training (e.g., safety; security; information technology; standards of conduct, in accordance with state and local requirements).
• Assurance that the host site will provide program-specific training to enable and enhance the associate's work performance.

General Requirements

Agencies and organizations selected to host a public health associate must enter into CDC's Agreement to Detail. (Note: Updated language from previous version highlighted in yellow).

The Agreement outlines the following:

• Objectives of the assignment
• Requirements for the associate's position and supervision
• Costs and cost responsibilities
• Leave and hours processes
• Applicability of rules, regulations, and policies
• Training requirements
• Time period of assignment

This legally binding document cannot be revised.

Supervisory Requirements

Host site supervisors are critical to the success of PHAP and help ensure associates access meaningful professional development opportunities and achieve applicable performance requirements within the assignment period.

Ongoing and appropriate day-to-day supervision of the associate is the responsibility of the host site supervisor(s). Supervision requirements of an associate may be substantial, particularly at the start of a new assignment.

Host site supervisors assist with the associate's integration into the host site, oversee the training and field activities of the associate, ensure the associate is familiar with relevant techniques in their assigned program area, and encourage and support the overall professional development of the associate. The host site supervisor monitors the associate's day-to-day activities and helps the associate achieve PHAP competencies.

Host site supervisors must be full-time staff, have prior supervisory experience, and be actively involved in the work activities of the associate. In addition, the primary host-site supervisor must devote four hours per week providing the associate with direct supervision, mentoring, guidance, and on-the-job training.

Responsibilities of the host site supervisor include:

• Orienting the associate to division/branch areas, staff, norms, policies, and protocols at the host site
• Planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating associate activities
• Providing support for required program-specific trainings, relevant to the associate's work duties
• Involving the associate in two-way communication regarding work activities and professional development
• Monitoring assignments to ensure the associate is involved in appropriate and meaningful work experiences and activities
• Facilitating attainment of PHAP competencies and assignment-specific performance requirements
• Providing regular and constructive feedback to the associate on his or her performance
• Providing input on the associate's CDC-required mid-year and annual performance evaluations
• Ensuring that the associate follows routine time and attendance reporting (e.g., annual and sick leave, credit, and travel time)
• Providing associate with ongoing opportunities for professional development
• Communicating with the CDC PHAP supervisor to monitor progress and identify and resolve any issues regarding the assignment.

On This Page

• Who can apply to be a host site?
• Eligibility
• General Requirements
• Supervisory Requirements

Sept. 3, 2026

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Public Health Infrastructure Center; Division of Workforce DevelopmentAbout This Page

Published: May 15, 2024

Updated: September 3, 2026This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.

Reviewed: September 3, 2026The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.

Sources

• Public Health Infrastructure Center

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