What are the responsibilities and job description for the Student Volunteer position at Office for Civil Rights?
HOW TO APPLY
Submit the following materials:
- Resume (2 pages)
- Cover letter (include preferred term and availability)
- Unofficial college, graduate school, or law school transcript(s)
Send application materials to: OCRInternships@hhs.gov with the subject line: "OCR Law Internship - [Term/Year] - [Student Name]."
Questions: vadrienne.starks@hhs.gov and please cc: chantilly.sowell-sutton@hhs.gov.
Qualifications:
Applicants must meet the following qualifications to be considered:
- Be a current undergraduate student, law student (1L-3L), or post-graduate student in a field of study relevant to the work of the Office for Civil Rights.- Demonstrate strong research, analytical, investigatory, and/or writing skills appropriate to an academic or training environment.- Demonstrate an interest in civil rights, health or social/human services, and public service.- Demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and the ability to work independently in a legal or public-service setting.
Qualification determinations will be made based solely on the information submitted in the application package. Selection for this unpaid volunteer internship does not constitute employment with the Department of Health and Human Services and confers no entitlement to compensation, future employment, or non-competitive conversion.
Responsibilities:
As a law enforcement agency, OCR investigates complaints, conducts compliance reviews, develops policy, promulgates regulations, and provides technical assistance. In addition, OCR educates the public about (1) federal civil rights and conscience laws that prohibit recipients of HHS federal financial assistance ("Covered Entities") from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, religion, and conscience, and (2) the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy, security, and breach notification laws that protect the privacy and security of health information. Through its work, OCR endeavors to promote and protect the privacy of individuals' health information privacy and the security of our nation's health care systems -- and thereby protect our national security -- including implementing and enforcing the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules and the Patient Safety Act and Rule. OCR also aims to safeguard non-discriminatory access to the nation's social service and health care systems and provides tools for Covered Entities and individuals to understand their rights and obligations under the law.OCR vigorously enforces laws that prohibit discrimination in health and human services and those that protect and secure the nation's privacy and security by regulating health privacy, breaches, and cybersecurity. OCR believes that achieving its goals requires active and strong collaboration with other federal partners, including Congress; state and local officials; community-based organizations; and Covered Entities to drive compliance and protect the nation's health information systems and people.
As an Unpaid Volunteer Intern, your duties may include the following:
- Conduct legal and/or topical research.
- Draft memos on civil rights, conscience/religious freedom and/or health privacy issues.
- Support investigations, compliance reviews, policy analysis, and/or regulatory development.
- Assist with outreach, education, and stakeholder engagement.
- Attend internal meetings, trainings, and presentations.