Substance Use Research Internship

About Our Job

Please Note: We will be hiring 3 interns into this position for a late Summer 2024 start date. This posting will accept applications until 7/9/2024.

Denver's Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) is dedicated to advancing Denver's environmental and public health goals. DDPHE works collaboratively with city, state and community partners to conduct education, community engagement, and enforcement to promote healthy people, healthy pets, and a sustainable environment. DDPHE oversees a number of services related to public health and the environment and is comprised of six divisions: Division of Shared Services and Business Operations; Community & Behavioral Health; Public Health Investigations; Denver Animal Protection; the Office of Medical Examiner; and Environmental Quality. For more information on DDPHE’s programs and services, visit the DDPHE website at: Denver Department of Public Health and Environment.

DDPHE fosters an inclusive culture by respecting the values, customs, and authenticity of everyone and by implementing equitable public health strategies so Denver communities can thrive.

Community & Behavioral Health (CBH) promotes population health and health equity by developing, implementing, and evaluating sustainable, evidence-based public health policies, interventions, and systems. The Division conducts multiple types of health-related assessments; creates, implements and evaluates the City’s Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP); and develops policies and initiatives aimed at improving the health of Denver residents while advancing equity at all levels. The Denver Office of HIV Resources (DOHR) resides within the Division of Community Health and administers Ryan White CARE Act funds. DOHR provides funding in various service categories to provide a comprehensive continuum of care for people living with HIV/AIDS. Additional information and resources can be found on the Division’s website at: DDPHE: Community and Behavioral Health.

This is a limited internship position expected to end in December 2024, with possibility for extension, and is not eligible for benefits. The intern hired will be expected to be able to report to the Department’s office location IN DENVER at least once weekly during the internship period and possibly other offsite locations within the City and County of Denver. This part-time work requires someone to work a varied, flexible schedule. Typically this team meets in-person bi-weekly on Thursdays.

CBH’s Overdose Prevention team has openings for three interns to support a project assessing substance use stigma. These positions will develop assessment tools, manage participant recruitment efforts, and collect quantitative and qualitative assessment data. The project is part of a 5-year federal grant awarded to the City and County of Denver to reduce overdoses in Denver, including through raising awareness and providing support to public health and first responders in combating substance use associated stigma. These positions provide the opportunity to gain valuable public health work experience in the field of overdose prevention and support overdose prevention. In this role you can make a meaningful impact in the field of stigma reduction. If you are passionate about making a difference and excited about gaining hands-on public health work experience, we encourage you to apply.

As an intern you’ll get to experience some or all of the following:

• Conduct literature reviews on relevant topics related to stigma among first responders
• Assist in the development of assessment tools, surveys, and questionnaires for data collection
• Contribute to the recruitment process by communicating with potential participants and coordinating focus groups and interviews with first responders
• Assist in scheduling participant meetings, taking notes/recordings, and potential follow ups
• Help with qualitative data cleaning, transcription, and organization
• Assist in data analysis and reporting
• Participate in team meetings and provide input on program development and improvement

About You

Our ideal candidate has some or all of the following experience, skills, and characteristics:

• A current student (or recent graduate) seeking a degree in Public Health, Psychology, Sociology or other Social Science discipline or related field
• Experience with Human subject research and research related recruitment
• Strong Project organization and tracking skills, great attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to conduct literature reviews and summarizing research findings
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative data collection, cleaning, analysis and reporting
• Familiarity with substance misuse and overdose issues and an interest in stigma reduction work
• Ability to work at least 10 hours a week independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate the schedules of first responders

We realize your time is valuable so please do not apply if you do not have at least the following required minimum qualifications:

• Education: Current enrollment in an accredited college program leading to a certificate, licensure, associates, bachelor’s, or higher degree in Science, technology, engineering, mathematics or closely related field, or a recent graduate (completed specified program within 1 year of completion)
• Experience: Qualifications: None
• Licensures / Certifications: Requires a valid Driver's License at the time of application.
• Equivalency: No substitution of experience for education is permitted

To be considered for this position, you must include the following on your job application (upload the attachment(s) to the Resume/CV section on the My Experience tab):

• 1-2 page Resume (with most current information)
• Transcripts – either official or unofficial; dated within your most recent academic term
• Attachment detailing:
  • What you are studying and your related research experience
  • What makes you interested in the substance use stigma field

Location Flexibility

The City and County of Denver utilizes a hybrid model workplace that balances the responsibilities of public service with the benefits of a flexible work environment. Employees work where needed, at a city site and/or in the field several days a week and telecommute remotely at a designated workplace within the State of Colorado the remaining days.

About Everything Else

Job Profile

TA3182 Professional Technical Intern

To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.

Position Type

Oncall

Position Salary Range

$20.41 - $23.06

Starting Pay

$20.41 - $23.06 per hour based upon education

Agency

Dept of Public Health & Environment

The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law. 

It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact Jobs@Denvergov.org with three business days’ notice.

Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.

For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish.