What are the responsibilities and job description for the Non-clinical Suicide Prevention and Response (SPR) internship / fellowship position at Zintellect?
The Headquarters, Department of the Army Directorate of Prevention, Resilience, and Readiness (DPRR) is offering internships and fellowships for current or recently graduated students in Arlington, VA. Suicide or self-harm and substance misuse behaviors are a result of a complex interaction of many factors which include environmental, psychological, physical, and social elements. Because there is not one single solution; this challenge requires a comprehensive public health approach to suicide prevention efforts for communities and organizations. The Army’s approach operationalizes the public health approach, which includes defining the problem, identifying influencing risk and protective factors to describe the problem, then identifying, implementing, and evaluating helping agencies, programs, and services. This educational internship opportunity is within the DPRR Suicide Prevention and Response Program.
What will I be doing?
As an ORISE participant, you will join the HQDA G-1 DPRR Ready and Resilient Integration (R2I) Division which implements the Suicide Prevention and Response Program and Army Substance Abuse Program activities to establish Army-wide prevention, intervention, and postvention systems. The program includes a comprehensive approach to reducing instances of substance misuse and suicide through capabilities that create protective environments, promote connectedness, teach coping and problem-solving skills, and improve access to resources.
Why should I apply?
Under the guidance of a mentor, you will gain hands-on experience to complement your education and support your academic and professional goals. Along the way, you will engage in activities and partnerships in several areas. These include, but are not limited to:
- Developing logic models related to suicide prevention (primary), intervention (secondary), and crisis response (tertiary) efforts
- Conducting literature and report reviews
- Designing and developing evaluation framework (policies, programmatic, training, or initiatives)
- Evaluating and assessing outcomes for specified activities
- Identifying and collecting metrics or key performance indicators which can be utilized to support evaluation
What is the anticipated start date?
Exact start dates will be determined at the time of selection and in coordination with the selected candidate. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and internships or fellowships will be filled as qualified candidates are identified.
What is the appointment length?
The stipend range will be approximately $4000.00 to $4500.00/month for bachelor's level candidates up to $8000.00 to $9000.00/month for postdoctoral candidates based on fulltime participation and will be determined by HQDA. Stipends are typically based on a participant’s academic standing, discipline, experience, and research facility location. Other benefits may include the following:
- Health Insurance Supplement (Participants are eligible to purchase health insurance through ORISE)
- Relocation Allowance
- Training and Travel Allowance
About HQDA
The Army’s Suicide Prevention Program aligns policies, practices, and programs that promote positive behavioral changes, strengthen personal and collective bonds, and build readiness and resilience through collaborative partnerships and evidence-based programs that are replicable, scalable, and sustainable. Specific elements include stigma reduction efforts, help-seeking behaviors, and proactive activities (for example, financial literacy and skill building) before the point of crises, while supporting activities and services intended to improve the quality of life of Soldiers, Department of the Army, their Families, and installations. The Army’s Suicide Prevention Program improves the Army's readiness by developing and enhancing the Army’s Suicide Prevention Program policies, training, data collection and analysis, and strategic communications designed to prevent suicide and support those affected by suicide. In 2025 the Army began implementing Suicide Prevention and Response IRC transformation actions which include modernization of training, implementation of targeted strategies to utilize non-clinical counseling, and development of leadership focused tools.
About ORISE
This program, administered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (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 DoD. Participants do not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DoD or any other office or agency. Instead, you will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE. For more information, visit the ORISE Research Participation Program at the U.S. Department of Defense.
Salary : $4,000 - $9,000