To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click APPLY.

A complete application consists of:

• An application
• Transcripts – Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
• One educational or professional recommendation. Your application will be considered incomplete, and will not be reviewed until one recommendation is submitted.

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

Connect with ORISE...on the GO!  Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

HHS Office and Location: HHS Office and Location: Multiple internship opportunities are available with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Indian Health Service (IHS).

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.

The Indian Health Service (IHS) is an agency within the HHS that is responsible for providing federal health services to American Indian and Alaska Native people. The mission of the IHS is to raise the health status of the American Indian and Alaska Native people to the highest possible level. To carry out this mission, the IHS provides comprehensive primary health care and disease prevention services.

The Sanitation Facilities Construction Program is the environmental engineering component of the IHS health delivery system. To support the IHS mission, the Sanitation Facilities Construction Program provides technical and financial assistance to American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages for cooperative development and construction of safe drinking water, wastewater, and solid waste systems and related support facilities.

Research Project: This project is to continue supporting prior research and analytical activities related to sanitation facilities and associated program needs within Indian Health Service. The appointment will provide flexibility to address emerging engineering priorities and may include GIS, data management, program and policy analysis, and development of technical or decision-support products. Fellowship activities:

• Development of engineering plan sets and specifications for water and wastewater projects
• Development and evaluation of GIS-based tools, workflows, maps, dashboards, and data resources related to infrastructure planning, environmental review, project tracking, and program support.
• Collaborate with engineers, program staff, Tribal partners, and other stakeholders to organize, analyze, and communicate technical information supporting water, wastewater, solid-waste infrastructure.
• Collaborate on the development of data summaries, mapping products, presentations, and other materials.

Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, you will gain hands-on experience to support your academic and professional goals. You will engage in activities that include, but are not limited to:

1. Gain experience collecting, organizing, managing, and analyzing data related to drinking water, wastewater, solid-waste disposal facilities using desktop and web-based tools.
2. Develop skills in applying GIS, spatial analysis, and data visualization methods to support infrastructure planning, environmental screening, project tracking, and technical decision support.
3. Learn how policies, technical guidance, standards, and environmental requirements, influence infrastructure planning and project implementation.
4. Build understanding of the water, wastewater, solid-waste, and environmental challenges affecting Tribal communities and American Indian households.
5. Establish professional connections and long-term relationships with Indian Health Service staff and partners.
6. Enhance preparation for a STEM-focused public-service career through applied experience in engineering, GIS, environmental assessments, data management, and infrastructure planning.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 1, 2026. 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 extended upon recommendation of HHS and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of Participation: The appointment is part time to full time.

Participant Stipend: Stipend rates may vary based on numerous factors, including opportunity, location, education, and experience. If you are interviewed, you can inquire about the exact stipend rate at that time and if selected, your appointment offer will include the monthly stipend rate.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

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.

The qualified student should be currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in the one of the relevant fields.

• A driver's license is required.
• When evaluating applicants for this opportunity, the Indian Health Service will consider claims for Indian Preference made by the applicants. If you would like to be evaluated with consideration for Indian Preference, provide a completed copy of Form BIA-4432. Refer to BIA-4432 link: https://www.bia.gov/sites/default/files/dup/assets/public/raca/online_forms/pdf/1076-0160_INDIAN-PREF_Expires-10.31.24_508.pdf.

Please follow the following guidance when submitting the BIA-4432 form:

1. Download the BIA-4432 form
2. Completely fill the form out by typing in the answers
3. Save the form
4. Email the form (encryption is preferred) to HHSrpp@ORISE.org with Indian Preference Form-4432 in the Subject line

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree.
• Discipline(s):
  • Engineering (3 )