Key points
- Associates are CDC employees for the duration of the program, earning a federal salary and various tangible and intangible benefits.
- Associates are responsible for relocation travel expenses.
Salary
The Public Health Associate Program for Recent Graduates (PHAP) is a competitive, two-year paid, competency-based training and service program that gives associates hands-on experience in public health.
During the first year of the program, associates (regardless of their experience) earn a salary and benefits equivalent to a GS-07, step 1, federal employee (including geographic cost of living adjustments). Based on performance during Year 1 of PHAP, associates are eligible to earn a salary equivalent to a GS-09, step 1, during Year 2 of PHAP; and then eligible for noncompetitive conversion to a GS-11 after the program. Salaries are non-negotiable.
See the Office of Personnel Management Salary Table for more information.
Benefits of joining PHAP
All associates are eligible to choose from and enroll in full health benefit programs that are partially compensated by CDC and available to all federal employees. The many benefits of being a public health associate include:
- Salary, paid vacation, sick leave, health insurance, and access to a variety of support services and resources
- Valuable career skills development and on-the-job training
- Unique field assignments that provide diverse public health experiences and the opportunity to demonstrate competencies in a wide variety of public health service activities
- Mentoring from a CDC employee who can offer career guidance and networking opportunities
- Access to some of the best resources in public health
- An opportunity to make substantial contributions to public health
- Recognition as an employee of CDC, the nation's leading public health agency
Available Benefits
Travel Requirements and Expenses
Associates must relocate to their host site, travel from host site locations to Atlanta, Georgia, for three CDC-hosted, in-person PHAP training events, and may be asked to travel for their host site assignment.
Associates are responsible for covering the cost of travel for relocation to their host site location and after the program ends.
Host sites will cover the cost of local travel related to the host site assignment. PHAP program will cover the cost of travel for the mandatory in-person training events.