HHS Research Opportunity on Environmental Justice and Equity

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

HHS Office and Location: A research opportunity is available within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), Office of the Secretary (OS), at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), located in Washington, D.C. This opportunity is for an in-person fellowship experience in Washington, D.C., but remote candidates will also be considered.

The mission of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans, by providing for effective health and human services and by fostering sound, sustained advances in the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services.

Research Project: This opportunity will focus on two interrelated mission areas at HHS: protecting the health of disadvantaged communities and vulnerable populations on the frontlines of pollution, and other environmental hazards that affect health, and addressing the impact of climate change on the health of the American people.

Learning Objectives: 

• Participate in the development and implementation of the HHS Environmental Justice Strategic Plan by contributing to goals, objectives, actions, and metrics. Collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data in support of the plan. Assist with writing and establishing direct working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. This project will promote alignment with implementation of Executive Order 14096, Revitalizing Our National Commitment to Environmental Justice for All, the Justice40 Initiative. These activities will help build a roadmap for transformative and sustained actions to advance environmental justice within HHS.
• Collaborate with the Office of Environmental Justice in developing systems that improve responsiveness to environmental justice concerns expressed by communities. This project will involve learning about the tools and methods used to identify cumulative impacts and disproportionate environmental burdens in vulnerable communities and analyzing that information to help identify potential solutions. Frequent communication and research to support subject matter experts across the staff and operating divisions at HHS will be required. Familiarity with, and desired to deepen knowledge and application of environmental justice and equity frameworks, will be essential for project success.
• Support health communications related to ongoing environmental justice and climate change related activities. This project will involve continuous environmental scanning to stay apprised of rapidly emerging stakeholder issues related to health impacts, with a focus on health equity and vulnerable populations. Through frequent communication with senior leaders and stakeholders, you will learn how to effectively tailor messages for multiple audiences and develop proactive narratives that uplift community level information. This project will involve identifying and collating effective communication channels and platforms, developing written content in consultation with senior leaders, and supporting stakeholder access to timely and relevant information.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Ana Mascareñas (Ana.Mascarenas@hhs.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: December 11, 2023. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of HHS and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of Participation: The appointment is full-time.

Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.

ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and HHS. Participants do not become employees of HHS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

The successful applicant(s) will be required to comply with Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) requirements of the hosting facility, including but not limited to, COVID-19 requirements (e.g. facial covering, physical distancing, testing, vaccination).

Questions: Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process please email HHSrpp@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.