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Nov 16, 2023

Writer/Coordinator Intern (Summer Session), California / Washington, D.C. - Up to $65K

$54,000 - $65,000 yearly
  • Acumen LLC
  • Burlingame, California / Los Angeles, California / Washington, D.C.
Intern Administration Business Development Health Care Information Technology Other

Job Description

Acumen, LLC / The SPHERE Institute provide government agencies with high-quality, impartial research to inform decision-making related to health care policy. We help make sure policymakers, health care providers, and the public have the best available evidence upon which to base their choices.
 
We leverage our unparalleled data access to generate analyses for a wide range of partners involved in the health care system. We work closely with our clients to understand their objectives and figure out how to turn data into actionable information for them. For example, our results are used by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to pursue investigations of fraud, waste, and abuse in the Medicare system, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to monitor and assess the safety of drugs after they have been released onto the market, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) to help local public health authorities prepare for and respond to emergency situations like hurricanes and floods, and the Center for Medicare (CM) to predict and quantify the effects of payment policy changes for health care services. At its core, our research offers an opportunity to use data to solve problems that matter.
 
Position Summary:
As a Writer/Coordinator intern, you serve as a bridge between the data and the broader policy environment. Interns in this role bring in knowledge to guide the analysis (e.g., through a review of the policy literature) and help translate the results into a form that can be used by policymakers (e.g., through a report or presentation). This internship is a great opportunity for students interested in supporting fact-based decision-making in the national policy arena.
 
Researching and writing will be major components of your day-to-day responsibilities, but they are only part of a broader set of skills you will learn and employ at Acumen, LLC / The SPHERE Institute.
 

 

Writer/Coordinator interns are integrated into a project team and learn about all facets of the research process:

  • Data management techniques for working with large amounts of data
  • Data analysis workflow in a professional setting
  • Methods for researching policy context
  • Application of research methods to answer specific policy questions
  • Verification and validation of results
  • Presentation of methodology and results for non-technical audiences
  • Client and project management under tight timelines

 

We expect the role of the Writer/Coordinator intern to closely mirror that of a full-time analyst, meaning you can expect to gain professional experience performing the following responsibilities:

  • Research and interpret policy
  • Perform literature reviews
  • Support data analysis and design of study specifications
  • Prepare reports, memos, and presentations to summarize results
  • Communicate research findings to a wide range of audiences
  • Coordinate project activities and communications

 

This position is for a paid summer internship. In addition to developing skills for policy analysis and gaining exposure to client projects, you will receive formal training in statistical programming and hands-on mentoring from experienced analysts. The internship program also fosters a supportive team environment and hosts events throughout the summer for interns and their team members. The interns will be able to begin on either June 3rd or 24th and the final days of the internship are August 16th and Sept 6th.
 
Candidates will be selected based on their qualifications and matched to a specific project based on their skills and interests. The salary range for this position is $54,000- $65,000; consideration for higher compensation may be made for candidates with advanced qualifications. 
 
Any application without a cover letter will not be considered. Transcripts and writing samples are not required; however, they are highly preferred and may be requested. We are excited to review your application and look forward to seeing how you can contribute to our mission.
 
Please note, our work at Acumen/SPHERE is proprietary. Should your academic program require a report of your internship project for academic credit, you must request specific approval from recruiting prior to the start of your internship. You must also confirm with your project team that the report or presentation does not violate our confidentiality requirements.

States

CA, DC

Security Clearance

NO Security Clearance

Job Requirements

Qualifications- We are looking for candidates who best exemplify the following qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree (in progress) in a quantitative, public policy, or related field, or equivalent relevant experience
  • Strong analytical perspective and desire to work with data
  • Excellent writing and communication skills
  • Good organizational skills and strong attention to detail
  • Familiar with one or more of the following technical competencies: policy writing, research methods, or project management
  • Able to demonstrate initiative, critical thinking, and problem-solving
  • Able to work in a team-oriented environment
  • Able to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
  • Demonstrated aptitude and enthusiasm for learning
  • Demonstrated interest in public policy

Apply Now
Apply Now
Acumen LLC
Acumen LLC

Acumen, LLC conducts policy research in support of federal, state, and local health care and social policy programs. We leverage our vast data resources to improve information available to policymakers on topics such as drug and vaccine safety; health insurance markets; value-based purchasing; and health care fraud.

Acumen, LLC, in conjunction with its affiliated firm, The SPHERE Institute, offers policymakers a powerful policy analysis capability, providing specific and impartial advice, as well as context for policy debates.

Our work reflects our belief that policymakers, health care providers, and the public should have the best available information upon which to base their decisions.