Administrative Careers at NIH
THE MISSION OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
Science in the pursuit of knowledge to extend healthy
life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability. |
Interns Play a Vital Role in NIH's Mission
Intern programs at NIH develop the management skills of high-achieving
individuals enabling them to attain future leadership positions
within NIH or the Federal Government. Under the guidance of a
mentor, you will complete developmental assignments and activities,
exposing you to diverse administrative areas and issues.
What Developmental Opportunities are Available?
The NIH provides you with one of the most flexible and individually
tailored programs in the Federal Government. You may work with
senior management at any of NIH's Institutes or Centers (ICs).
You will work closely with your mentor to develop a two-year plan
for rotational assignments that meet your specific needs and interests
and that help you identify your target career field at NIH.
You may choose from among a wide variety of administrative
areas. The list below highlights some of the more common specialties.
The administrative areas listed below represent critical personnel needs at NIH, and you must complete at least two rotations (three months each) in these areas.
Are Interns Limited to These Choices?
You have many unique options in addition to these choices.
Your plan may allow you to:
- Work on a special task force, unique project, or closely
related scientific program
- Select an assignment at prestigious organizations off-campus
such as:
- The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
- The Department of Health and Human Services
- Capitol Hill
- Office Of Management and Budget
- The National Science Foundation
- The World Health Organization
How Do Past Interns Rate the Program?
Past interns have assessed it as unsurpassed among internship
programs. We think you will agree. In fact, we have included
their testimonials in the following descriptions.
What Are Some of the Rotational Assignments Open to Interns?
Budget
Budget officers in the NIH Institutes and Centers coordinate
all aspects of budget preparation within their organizations since
each IC receives its own appropriation from Congress. Budget officers
assist in briefing and preparing their Directors for congressional
appropriations hearings and accompany them as supporting witnesses.
"Rotating through the Office of Budget
at the Departmental level allowed me to learn how each agency
in HHS develops its overall budget. I gained a broad understanding
of how agencies work with the department and how the department
works with the Office of Management and Budget to decide on the
numbers that essentially fund every program in HHS. "
Amy Matush (NIAAA) |
What Are My Possible Duties?
- Monitor the obligations in a program area to readjust financial
plans
- Develop trend data
- Assist program staff in developing future year estimates
for new or ongoing initiatives
- Prepare briefing material to assist the Director at congressional
hearings
- Respond to requests for funding and program data from the
public, other federal agencies, and Congress
What Competencies Can I Develop?
- Financial Analysis
- Performance Measurement
- Spreadsheet Programs (MS Excel and Lotus)
- Financial Management Databases
- Rules and practices governing obligations and their timing
- Strategic Thinking
- Vision
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- Problem Solving
- Written Communication
- Oral Presentation
- Team Building
- Negotiation
- Interpersonal Relations
- Reasoning
- Organization
- Researching Information
- Political Savvy
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Human Resource Management
Human Resource Management (HR), like most administrative offices
at NIH, uses both centralized and decentralized components to
manage personnel functions. You may receive an assignment in either
of the following offices:
- The Office of Human Resource Management provides policy guidance
and program oversight for human resource activities at NIH, conducts
central testing and recruitment for a variety of occupations,
provides a database for personnel and payroll functions, and
operates the NIH Division of Workforce Development.
- Each IC also has an operating personnel office that provides
a full range of services including recruitment, classification,
pay, employee relations, and other services.
What are My Possible Duties?
- Develop performance recognition guidelines
- Write award justifications
- Learn how to classify position descriptions
- Write and/or revise position descriptions
- Participate in interviewing candidates for positions
- Participate in assessing candidate qualifications for positions
- Prepare presentation materials for use at meetings
- Assist in preparing for staff retreats
- Develop recruiting materials such as brochures and website
links
- Participate in counseling sessions
- Develop performance management surveys
What Competencies Can I Develop?
- Human Resource Management
- Strategic Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Written Communication
- Oral Presentation
- Team Building
- Negotiation
- Interpersonal Relations
- Reasoning
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- Organization
- Researching Information
- Partnering
- Performance Measurement
- Cultural Awareness
- Conflict Management
- Customer Service
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General Administration
Administrative Officers at NIH provide support to the scientific
or program staff by managing the broad spectrum of administrative
activities necessary to the smooth functioning of the office.
They initiate actions on behalf of their laboratory or branch
and coordinate with specialists such as Budget Analysts and Contract
Specialists. They may eventually rise to the position of Executive
Officer, the senior administrative manager for the Institute,
Center, or central service division of the NIH.
What are My Possible Duties?
- Gather information from NIH scientists, administrators, and
other sources
- Act as a liaison between NIH scientists and administrators
and other Federal agencies
- Review and approve travel requests and vouchers
- Research personnel issues such as employee awards
- Assist with transition logistics and implementation
- Perform budget analysis, formulation, tracking, and reporting
- Assist staff in planning operational changes
What Competencies Can I Develop?
- Customer Service
- Problem Solving
- Written Communication
- Team Building
- Negotiation
- Interpersonal Relations
- Reasoning
- Organization
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- Financial Management
- Performance Measurement
- Human Resource Management
- Conflict Management
- Cultural Awareness
- Partnering
- Contracts Management
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Information Technology
The NIH also uses both a centralized and decentralized approach
to bring the benefits cutting-edge information technology (IT)
to the research table. You may receive an assignment in either
of the following offices:
- The Center for Information Technology (CIT) provides overall
guidance and support in all aspects of IT for the NIH. The CIT
manages the NIH Computer Center supporting major NIH information
systems.
- The IT office of an Institute or Center provides local information
technology support such as e-mail, Internet access, and the sharing
of desktop application files.
"My rotation in IT management offered
opportunities to gain a broad-based knowledge of the ubiquitous
functions of IT throughout DHHS, NIH, and the individual Institutes
and Centers including the impact of governmental policies, reviews,
security issues, and enterprise systems. From the array of unlimited
experiential opportunities, I was able to work on critical IT
projects that impacted all of NIH."
Elizabeth Elliott (NIGMS) |
What Are My Possible Duties?
- Research, evaluate, and introduce innovative computer tools
- Market technology services
- Perform requirements analyses for program offices
- Provide customer support
- Assist senior officials in developing and implementing policy
- Implement data security requirements
- Review the IT budget
What Competencies Can I Develop?
- Systems Analysis
- Financial Management
- Performance Measurement
- Data Base Management
- Problem Solving Interpersonal
- Written Communication
- Team Building
- Negotiation
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- Customer Service
- Entrepreneurship
- Technical Credibility
- Strategic Thinking
- Interpersonal Relations
- Reasoning
- Organization
- Researching Information
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Grants Management
Each year, the NIH disburses more than 80% of its budget to
the behavioral and biomedical research community in the form of
grants and cooperative agreements. Grants Management Offices manage
the review, negotiation, award, and administration of this funding.
"My rotation in Grants Management
gave me a better understanding of how NIH partners with public
and private institutions to reach its mission, as well as a better
understanding of how each Institute or Center sets its research
priorities."
Melissa Moore |
What Are My Possible Duties?
- Process grant awards
- Communicate information between grantees and NIH staff
- Provide responses to grantee requests
- Design surveys for grantees
- Evaluate current grant policies and procedures
What Competencies Can I Develop?
- Cost Analysis
- Communication Regulations, and Policies
- Customer Service
- Researching Information
- Team Building
- Reasoning
- Organization
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- Problem Solving
- Written Communication
- Interpersonal Relations
- Negotiation Team Building
- Performance Measurement
- Records Management
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Contracts Management
The NIH also supports or acquires scientific investigations
at other organizations under contracts awarded by NIH components.
Unlike a grant or cooperative agreement, a contract purchases
a specific product with a specific time line. A Contracting Office
assists its IC in planning for new contracts, awarding contracts,
and administering existing contracts.
"My Contracts rotation allowed
me the opportunity to interact with both fellow Federal employees
and private industry representatives in a professional business
setting. / was able to be involved in the several phases of Government
acquisition, including communicating program requirements to
the public, analyzing business proposals, negotiations, and post-award
contract administration."
David Lisle (NIAID) |
What Are My Possible Duties?
- Participate in planning activities
- Determine proper acquisition mechanisms
- Plan, review, and revise contract specifications
- Write Requests For Proposals (RFPs)
- Evaluate technical, business, and cost proposals
- Observe selection discussions and negotiations for a contract
award
- Process requests for changes in a contract
- Resolve funding and general administrative problems
- Participate in site visits
What Competencies Can I Develop?
- Contracts Management
- Procurement Analysis
- Federal Acquisition Regulations (FARs)
- Records Management
- Interpersonal relations
- Conflict Resolution
- Reasoning
- Organization
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- Problem solving
- Written communication
- Oral communication
- Team Building
- Negotiation
- Cost analysis
- Researching information
- Performance measurement
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