Airside Operations College Intern (6 Months) – Airport Operations - Denver International Airport

City and County of Denver•Denver, CO

2d•$20 - $23•Onsite

About The Position

This internship is an on-call position, which means it is a part-time, hourly role. The City and County of Denver offers a competitive pay rate to commensurate with education, with the pay range for this position between $20.22 to $22.78/hr, based on level of education. This position is eligible to enroll in the City and County of Denver’s 457b retirement plan. This position is not eligible for other additional benefits. On-call positions may have routine or variable work schedules. Location This position is mostly on site with limited remote work opportunities. Employees work where needed to support business, at the Denver International Airport. We do not offer housing or relocation assistance for this position. Employees must work within the state of Colorado. Internship Duration and Hours This is a 6-month internship from Monday, June 1, 2026 - Friday, November 20, 2026, hours typically vary between 20-39 hours a week during the summer and 15-30 hours a week during school semesters. The DENtern’s work schedule will be flexible to accommodate their current academic commitments. Hours not exceeding 39 hours a week. Who We Are & What You’ll Do Denver International Airport is the third-busiest airport in the United States and one of the top ten busiest airports in the world. We are the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $47.2 billion for the region annually. At DEN, we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We celebrate individuality and strive to keep Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility (EDIA) at the center of all that we do. Through the DEN Intern (nicknamed “DENtern”) Program, students gain real world experience in aviation and workforce development while building professional skills. DENterns participate in a cohort-based model that emphasizes networking, collaboration, and professional growth, attending all scheduled professional development sessions, tours, and engaging in impactful projects across the airport. The Airport Operations division is actively seeking an Airside Operations DENtern to contribute to their division. As part of DEN's Strategic Plan, Vision 100, which envisions reaching 100 million annual passengers, Airport Operations plays a pivotal role in transforming the aviation industry. Our department ensures airport safety by conducting thorough inspections of airport facilities and airfields to maintain compliance with FAA regulations, including FAR Part 139, and other federal guidelines. We enforce security protocols, manage emergency responses, and coordinate with multiple stakeholders to address incidents. Additionally, we oversee snow and ice control operations and implement operational procedures to support safe, secure, and compliant airport operations. As an DENtern you will get to experience working on projects such as: Project #1: Daily Airfield Inspections Join Airside Operations team in inspecting runways, taxiways, ramps, and concourses. Observe and document conditions affecting operational safety, including lighting, pavement, and signage. Learn how inspection findings feed into compliance reporting and emergency response protocols. Project #2: Support New-Hire Training for Airside Operations Assist in preparing and delivering classroom training for new Airside Operations employees. Build foundational knowledge of FAA Part 139 certification requirements and their impact on airport operations. Learn and help communicate key topics such as Part 139 compliance, radio communication, safety protocols, and emergency response coordination. Project #3: FAA Inspection Log & Database Audit Reconcile and audit FAA inspection logs to ensure accuracy and compliance with federal regulations. Review and update digital databases, verifying that all airfield inspection records meet Part 139 standards. Identify discrepancies and propose process improvements for record-keeping efficiency. Project #4: Runway Friction Testing & Compliance Audits Assist with required runway friction testing to maintain safe aircraft operations. Document test results, compare against FAA thresholds, and support corrective action planning. Participate in audits to confirm adherence to Part 139 requirements and DEN’s internal safety standards. Project #5: Aviation Megatrend Research Collaborate with a team of fellow DENterns to conduct discovery research on a key aviation megatrend. This includes gathering data, interviewing industry experts, and analyzing findings. At the end of the summer, your team will present insights to DEN’s executive leadership to help shape strategic innovation and prepare the airport for the future.

Requirements

Education Requirement: Current enrollment in an accredited college program leading to a certificate, licensure, associates, bachelor’s, or higher degree, or a recent graduate (completed specified program within 1 year of completion).
Experience: None
Education and Experience Equivalency: No substitution of experience for education is permitted.
License/Certifications: Requires a valid Driver's License at the time of application
Mandatory documentation required to be considered for this position: 1–2-page resume, Transcripts – either official or unofficial; dated within your current academic term. This is only used to verify amounts of credits; grades will not influence decisions

Nice To Haves

An interest in aviation and airport operations
Someone seeking to gain aviation experience and insight into airport management.
Strong interest in understanding FAA Part 139 regulations and how they impact airfield operations
Curiosity about how airports prepare for and respond to emergencies, including drills and incident protocols
Enthusiasm for working outdoors on the airfield, conducting inspections, and supporting airfield safety
Communications: Writing and oral communication skills for expressing concepts and results; ability to communicate research findings clearly and captivatingly.
Interpersonal Skills: Verbal and nonverbal communication, the ability to handle conflict, teamwork, empathy, listening, and a positive attitude
Creativity and Innovation: Thinking outside the box and coming up with new and unique concepts. Someone who takes those creative ideas and turns them into practical and valuable outcomes.
Time Management: Proactively taking on new challenges and responsibilities; effective time management to prioritize activities and achieve project deadlines.
Adaptability: Easily adjusting to changing circumstances and shifting priorities on short notice while balancing multiple tasks