Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Become an Intern at the Department that touches the lives of every American!

At the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), you can give back to your community, state, and country by making a difference in the lives of Americans everywhere.

ASPR Mission:

Lead the nation in preventing, preparing for, and responding to the adverse health effects of public health emergencies and disasters.

ASPR Core Values:

Service to the Nation
Teamwork
Leadership
Integrity

ASPR serves as the Secretary’s principal advisor on matters related to bioterrorism and other public heath emergencies. To accomplish its mission, ASPR collaborates with its stakeholders, including other HHS programs; other Federal agencies; State; local; Tribal; and international officials; and private health sectors.

ASPR is headed by the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response who reports directly to the Secretary. Within HHS, ASPR is responsible for ensuring a unified integrated approach in preparing for and responding to the public health and medical effects of natural and man-made disasters.

ASPR has five Program Offices:

Office of Preparedness and Emergency Operations (OPEO)
Biomedical Advanced Research & Development Authority (BARDA)
Office of Medicine, Science and Public Health (OMSPH)
Office of Policy and Strategic Planning (OPSP)
Office of Resource Planning and Evaluation (ORPE)

ASPR offers several Internship Programs:

Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP): This is a full-time, two-year training program offering Federal benefits as well as promotion opportunity.
The Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) allows the opportunity to gain experience in a wide variety of fields. Job opportunities under this program offer you temporary employment ranging from summer jobs to positions that can last for as long as you remain a student.
The Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) allows students the opportunity to gain experience directly related to your field of study. Under this program, you are eligible for the full range of benefits e.g., health insurance, life insurance, retirement coverage and yearly within-grade increases. It provides formal periods of work and study while you are attending school. It requires a commitment by you, your school, and the employing Federal agency. You may be eligible for permanent employment under this component after successfully completing your education and meeting work requirements.

The objectives of the Internship Programs are:

To encourage students to consider a career with HHS/ASPR
To provide students with valuable Federal work experience
To provide students with an educational opportunity to expand career options, nurture professionalism, and foster individual development
To aid the Department in achieving its mission

Duties:

Intern duties and responsibilities will vary according to office assignment
Intern duties may include but are not limited to the following:
- Assist in developing operational plans, analytical products, and training exercises, to ensure the preparedness of ASPR, the Department, the Federal Government, and the public, to respond to domestic and international public health, medical threats, and emergencies.
- Assist in ensuring that ASPR has the systems, logistical support, and procedures necessary to coordinate the Department’s operational response to acts of terrorism and other public health and medical threats and emergencies.
- Assist in providing an integrated, systematic approach to the development and purchase of the necessary vaccines, drugs, therapies, and diagnostic tools for public health medical emergencies.
- Assist in providing coordination on the medical, scientific, research, and public health aspects of emergency preparedness and response for ASPR.
- Assist in carrying out special scientific and public health oriented projects and work with others to support the establishment of activities, programs, and standards to protect the public from bioterrorism and naturally–occurring infectious disease threats.
- Assist in working with other nations and multilateral organizations in combating public health threats by establishing bilateral and multilateral international partnerships.
- Assist in developing short and long term policy and strategic objectives for ASPR and support the development and implementation of an integrated ASPR approach to policy, strategy, and long-term planning processes.
- Assist in providing analysis in the formulation and implementation of policies, procedures, and operational strategies that ensures efficient and effective allocation and utilization of program resources in support of ASPR’s mission.
- Assist in formulating, monitoring, and evaluating ASPR budgets, plans, and other resources that support management of human capital, facilities, and acquisitions of program services.

Program duration:

The internships are available throughout the academic year including summer.

Requirements:

U.S. Citizenship or permanent legal residency
Currently enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate program at an accredited college or university
Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 is desired.

Salary:

Internships can be paid based on funding availability

Location:

Washington D.C.

Application Deadline:

Applications are accepted year around. Applicants must identify the date they desire to start the internship on the ASPR Internship Form and the duration of their availability. The minimum tenure of these internships is 10 weeks and can be extended according to availability.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit the following documents electronically to Subarnarekha.Jenkins@hhs.gov

Resume
A letter briefly describing your interests and career goals
Transcript of most recent coursework
Letters of recommendation (2)
Completed ASPR Student Intern Position Application(attached)

Once your complete application documents are received by HHS/ASPR, you will receive an e-mail confirming receipt. Applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis and only qualified applicants will be contacted for interviews.

HHS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please call the vacancy contact, prior to the closing date of this announcement. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be on a case-by-case basis.

HHS is an equal opportunity employer. Selection for this position will be based solely on merit without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, marital or family status or other differences.

If you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, or you are applying for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act or Veterans' Recruitment Appointment Authority, attach a copy of your DD-214 "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty" or other proof of eligibility. If you are applying for consideration under the 30% or more Disabled Veteran Authority, you must attach a SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form.

In accordance with the Federal Equal opportunity Recruitment Program, the Department encourages women and minority students to apply for these positions.