Graduate Student Project Assistant Jobs in Minnesota

Job Details

Working Title: Emerging Infections Student Worker

Job Class: Student Worker Para Professional Senior

Agency: Health Department

• Job ID: 96521
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Full/Part Time: Part-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Limited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 08/27/2026
• Closing Date: Continuous until all positions are filled 
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Health Department 
• Division/Unit: Health Protection / IDEPC/HIV,STI and Emerging Respiratory Disease Surveillance Section 
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift; 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $20.20 - $24.02 / hourly
• Classified Status: Unclassified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 207 - American Federation of State, county, & Municipal Employees (AFSCME Technical, Council No.5)
• Work Area: Department of Health
• End Date: 08/31/2028
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: No

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Job Summary

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is seeking multiple Student Workers to support the Emerging Infections Program (EIP) and the Long COVID surveillance projects within the IDEPC Division.

Emerging Infections Program (EIP) and Respiratory Disease Surveillance: The Student Worker will assist with surveillance activities for invasive bacterial infections and viral respiratory diseases (e.g., H5 influenza).Primary responsibilities include data collection through medical record review, data entry, and data management.

Long COVID Surveillance Project: The Student Worker will conduct structured interviews with Minnesota residents who have laboratory­ confirmed COVID-19 infections. This position will assist in assessing long-COVID symptoms and characterizing illness severity and duration through structured case interviews and data documentation.

This posting will be used to fill multiple vacancies as they become available through November 30, 2026. Candidates will remain under consideration throughout the duration of the posting period unless notified otherwise. 

These positions are part-time and will work 20 hours per week. The specific hours and days of work are flexible within 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, around the student's class schedule. Limited evening and weekend work may also be required. Work may be conducted in-person in St. Paul, or as telework for applicants who reside in MN, IA, WI, ND, or SD based on the business needs of the unit and supervisor discretion. These temporary positions are expected to end by August 31, 2028, or until the selected candidate completes their educational program, whichever occurs sooner.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure your resume/application and cover letter clearly describes your experience in the areas listed below and indicate the beginning and ending month and year for each job held, the college where you are currently enrolled, your intended major, and anticipated graduation date. Only applicants whose resumes and cover letters clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of the minimum qualifications will be considered for this position. Please attach your resume and cover letter in your application.

Completion of two years of post-secondary education in one of the following areas: epidemiology, public health, environmental health, or a related field. 

Student Worker Eligibility: To be eligible for appointment as a Student Worker Paraprofessional Senior you must be enrolled in a post-secondary or graduate program or plan to enroll within three months. Students may be "off" for the summer or for one semester/quarter and remain employed as a student worker, but such absences cannot exceed one semester/quarter in a year. If you are enrolled at a credit-granting institution you must carry at least six semester/nine quarter credits. If enrolled at a non-credit granting institution or one that only offers one credit per class, you must be taking two or more classes per semester/quarter. Any lesser credit (class) load will be treated as a semester/quarter off. Graduate students must be enrolled in at least two courses or making progress on a dissertation. You will be asked to complete an Educational Verification form prior to appointment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Currently accepted or enrolled in a degree-seeking graduate program (MPH or MS) in epidemiology, public health, environmental health, or related public health field with career goals in applied infectious disease epidemiology.
• Ability to make a 1-2 year commitment.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective interpersonal relations with co-workers, supervisors, and health care professionals.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time and adapt to change.

Additional Requirements

• This position requires successful completion of a background and reference check.
• Please ensure your application/resume clearly indicate the college where you are currently enrolled as well as your intended major, starting year, and anticipated graduation date.
• The successful candidate under U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations must be able to accept work in the U.S. by the day employment begins. The agency is unable to offer H-1B sponsorship.
• MDH does not participate in the federal E-Verify program and is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas, including F-1 STEM OPT extensions, and cannot complete Form I-9 or any other documentation requiring employer participation in E-Verify. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.  

Application Details

How to Apply 

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Dama Abuta at dama.abuta@state.mn.us or 651-201-7387.

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation for an interview, you may contact the Department of Health ADA Coordinator at health.hr.ada@state.mn.us.

About Health Department

Come work for one of the best public health systems in the nation and you will contribute to our mission to protect, maintain and improve the health of all Minnesotans. We are working hard to achieve our vision for health equity in Minnesota, where all communities are thriving, and all people have what they need to be healthy. Our collaborative, mission-driven work environment is a major factor in promoting a high level of employee health awareness, employee longevity and job satisfaction.
Working together to improve the state we love.
What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits
As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.
Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov )

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS
Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.
APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES
Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.