What are the responsibilities and job description for the HHS Health Policy Fellowship position at Zintellect?
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
HHS Office and Location: A fellowship opportunity is currently available in the Office of Health Policy within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in Washington, D.C.
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.
ASPE advises the HHS Secretary on policy development, leads special initiatives, coordinates the Department's evaluation, research and demonstration activities, and manages cross-Department planning activities such as strategic planning, legislative planning, and review of regulations.
Research Project: The selected fellow will be mentored by a team of economic, policy, public health experts who focus on healthcare markets. The fellow will have opportunities to train with a wide range of data resources; collaborate on the design of and carry out research studies; and engage in both quantitative and qualitative analytical projects, all in support of Office of the Secretary priorities led by ASPE. In addition to direct mentorship by the ASPE team, the fellow would have the opportunity to collaborate with a broad set of federal and non-federal stakeholders and would develop skills in policy and program analysis, policy research, and coordination.
Learning Objectives: Additional learning opportunities include (but not limited to):
- Learn to develop and maintain subject matter expertise in rural healthcare systems, Medicaid policy, and Health Insurance Marketplace financing and eligibility frameworks.
- Learn to analyze regulations, legislation, executive directives, and policy reports to assess implications and alignment with HHS priorities.
- Learn to conduct and support research and program evaluation activities that inform evidence-based improvements to rural healthcare and Medicaid/Marketplace policies.
- Learn to synthesize complex policy information into clear, actionable insights for decision-makers.
- Learn to draft professional correspondence, policy briefs, reports, presentations, and talking points tailored to diverse audiences, including senior leadership and stakeholders.
- Learn to effectively communicate policy analysis and research findings in support of strategic briefings for HHS leadership, including the Secretary.
Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity will be determined based on the project. If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact HPResourcemailbox@hhs.gov.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: June 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 renewed upon recommendation of ASPE 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 and receive a stipend for healthcare benefits.
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.