We are pleased to offer a variety of public health internship experiences in association with our activities for 2022 and beyond.
Most internships are designed for Masters-level students, especially those pursuing Public Health (e.g. MPH) and/or other social service degrees, though we are open to discussion with undergraduate students regarding their internship interests, and to review the opportunity to adapt available opportunities for undergrads.
While under normal circumstances, internships are also designed for interns to be located in Rapid City, SD alongside GPTCHB staff, due to the unique considerations posed by COVID-19, we are interested in working with potential interns to explore the possibility of remote internship experiences from a student’s home or school location. Appropriate logistics will be worked out associated with each individual opportunity and potential intern.
Stipends are available to support living expenses and other costs associated with completing an internship with us.
For more information about internships, stipends, or to communicate about an internship topic of interest to you, reach out to us This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Eligibility Requirements
Students applying for and participating in the intern program must:
- Currently be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a student on at least a half-time schedule at an accredited college, university, or vocational-technical program (recent graduates will be considered on a case-by-case basis);
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher;
- Begin the internship with junior standing or above. If you attend a vocational/technical school, you must have at least completed the first year of your program, at least nine months, by the beginning of the internship;
- Possess strong oral and written communication skills;
- Agree to and abide by the rules and regulations of the intern program and GPTCHB policies and procedures; and
- Demonstrate proficiency in utilizing technology, including:
- Office software suite knowledge (e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Email usage (sending messages and attachments)
- General internet usage (searching, downloading, etc.).
Applications are considered on a rolling basis, with first come-first serve selection of projects. Note that Native American/American Indian Preference in selecting will be applied as defined in title 25 usc 44-46 & 474.
To apply for one of the available internships, please complete our Online Internship Application.
You will need the following information:
- Basic contact information
- Tribe, reservation, and enrollment number/blood quantum if wish to be considered under the Indian Preference Act
- Information about your educational history and relevant employment experience
- Resume
- Cover letter
You will also be asked a series of questions about your internship and professional interests and other details as part of the application.
Internships Available
Emergency Operations & Coronavirus Response
- Project Goal: Support the response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 and the growth of emergency management, preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery within the Great Plains Area.
- Activities:
- Respond to COVID-related requests for consultation, training, and other resources;
- Contribute to emergency management, preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery operations and initiatives;
- Contribute to the updating and dissemination of COVID-related data, guidance, resources, and other materials;
- Coordinate the development of a Tribally-responsive Emergency Operations Guide/Toolkit in support of replication and sustainability.
- Potential Deliverables:
- COVID-19/emergency data products, educational materials, guidance;
- Emergency Operations Guide/Toolkit
Ending the HIV Epidemic in Indian Country
- Project Goal: Complete a Community Readiness Assessment alongside interested tribes to understand their level of readiness for contributing to Ending the HIV Epidemic in their area. The assessment will involve interviews to measure HIV prevention, education, testing, and response activities as well as priorities, needs, and other details and to guide the development of Community Response Plans.
- Activities:
- Contribute to the collection, analysis, and reporting of assessment data
- Contribute to the discussion of project results and the preparation of Community Response Plans and next steps
- Potential Deliverables:
- HIV Community Readiness Assessment Report(s)
- HIV Community Response Plan(s)
Tribal Public Health Accreditation Support
- Project Goal: Assess current tribal readiness for and pursuit of tribal public health accreditation in the Great Plains Area, and to support associated tribal activities.
- Activities:
- Prepare and implement an assessment instrument to measure tribal readiness for and activities surrounding tribal public health accreditation
- Coordinate support activities provided by GPTEC in association with tribal public health accreditation activities (e.g. community health assessment, local readiness assessments/Self Study, etc.)
- (If possible) Assist with the preparation/engagement of Accreditation training resources and facilitate the delivery of training to Great Plains Area stakeholders
- Potential Deliverables:
- Accreditation Readiness Assessment instrument and results/report
- Accreditation project-specific deliverables (vary)
- Training evaluation data
Public Health 101
- Project Goal: Develop an introductory course related to public health for tribal leadership and staff to offer this as a resource for onboarding/orientation to related jobs and roles.
- Activities:
- Contribute to the compilation of local examples/applications and lessons learned for inclusion in Public Health 101 course material through engagement with tribal staff and partners
- Potential Deliverables:
- Public Health 101 training materials
Oral Health Infrastructure & Support
- Project Goal: Follow up on projects identified as needs/interests during our 2019 Great Plains Area Oral Health Roundtable in order to provide access to the resources/opportunities requested.
- Activities (one or combination):
- Coordinate the development of an oral health data abstraction guide
- Coordinate the development of an oral health patient/client assessment
- Complete a review of existing oral health outreach, promotional, and educational resources and identify emergent gaps/needs
- Potential Deliverables:
- Oral Health Data Abstraction Guide
- Oral Health Patient/Client Assessment instrument/protocol
- Oral Health Materials Summary Report and/or new materials, as needed
GHW Policy Study
- Project Goal: Summarize the policies implemented through the Good Health & Wellness in Indian Country initiative (2014-2019) to support replication across the region.
- Activities:
- Contribute to the collection, analysis, and reporting of qualitative interview data
- Potential Deliverables:
- GHW Policy Project Report
Great Plains Area IRB/RRB Guide
- Project Goal: Streamline the approval of GPTEC and partner projects and to improve both partnerships and the provision of technical assistance related to supporting research in tribal communities by engaging regional Institutional and Research Review Boards and developing a Great Plains Area IRB/RRB Toolkit/Guide.
- Activities:
- Contribute to the engagement of Great Plains Area tribal and IHS IRBs and RRBs to build relationships and compile information, materials, and other information
- Contribute to the development of a Great Plains Area IRB/RRB Toolkit/Guide, consisting of compiled contacts, processes, deadlines, materials, checklists, recommendations/best practices, and other information
- Potential Deliverables:
- Great Plains Area IRB/RRB Summary and Toolkit/Guide
Communications Support
Note that an intern with design, web development, and/or communications experience is preferred for this opportunity.
- Project Goal: Develop and/or enhance communications assets, including websites and various communications and materials (outreach, promotional, educational).
- Activities:
- Work with staff to update web pages and content;
- Conduct a review of existing materials and resources, and support the development of additional resources as needed.
- Potential Deliverables:
- (Re)development of web content;
- Development of original/enhanced outreach, promotional, and educational resources, in response to identified needs.
