Emergency Planning College Intern (6 Months) – Emergency Management - Denver International Airport

City and County of Denver•Denver, CO

9d•$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 Emergency Management employees work in a full-time onsite environment to support operations at Denver International Airport (DEN). 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 Since opening on Feb. 28, 1995, Denver International Airport (DEN) has become one of the world’s busiest airports. In 2025, 82,427,962 passengers passed through DEN, making DEN 4th busiest airport in the U.S. and the world’s 10th busiest airport. DEN is Colorado’s primary economic engine, generating $47.2 billion in annual economic impact for the state. 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. Airport Operations Division is seeking an Emergency Planning DENtern to contribute to their division. As part of DEN's Strategic Plan, Vision 100, which envisions reaching 100 million annual passengers, the Emergency Management Section plays a pivotal role in transforming the aviation industry. The Emergency Management section conducts Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) training and exercises and develops both in-person and computer-based training. This team manages the multi-year training and exercise program, oversees and assists with the preparation and conduct of all emergency management exercises at the airport and FAA regulatory training. The Emergency Management team also staffs the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) with a duty manager for 15 hours a day and is responsible as the Incident Commander (IC) or EOC Manager for airport incidents As an DENtern, you will get to experience working alongside the Training & Exercise team within the Emergency Management Section, along with the Research and Innovation Team of the Center for Equity and Excellence in Aviation (CEEA), including projects such as, but not limited to: Training & Exercise Team Project #1: Exercise Program Logistics Support Aide team with logistics, including event planning, coordinating schedules, and preparing participant materials such as: Creating presentations. Gathering participant feedback. Creating communications for training or exercises. Project #2: Emergency Preparedness Development Assist with the development of one emergency preparedness exercise Participate in planning and development utilizing Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) guidance. Project #3: Lead Emergency Preparedness Month Activities Develop an emergency preparedness month engagement program for the airport You’ll play a key role in enhancing personal and professional preparedness by partnering with airport stakeholders to create monthly and weekly activities. Project #4: DEN-wide Airport Exercise Support Contribute to the execution of the airports' FAR Part 139 Triennial Full-Scale Exercise Help organize and assist the team in preparation for the full-scale emergency exercise, including but not limited to set-up, tear-down, and other logistical support as needed. Research and Innovation Team 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

A strong interest in entering the field of emergency management, seeking to gain emergency preparedness skills, or exposure to aviation emergency response principles.
For someone seeking to gain project or program management skills, innovation, professional development, and the chance to shape an emergency preparedness program within an airport environment.
Enjoys organizing and coordinating activities
Curious about connecting the pieces of a project—like a puzzle—to ensure smooth coordination and align opportunities
Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written abilities for reports, presentations, and stakeholder engagement
Teamwork: Ability to collaborate effectively with others
Creativity: Generating innovative ideas and solutions
Time Management: Efficiently managing time and meeting deadlines.
Initiative: Proactively identifying tasks and opportunities.
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.
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

Cover letter detailing why you are interested in this position and 3-5 new skills, experiences, or tools you are hoping to take away from this experience.

Responsibilities

Exercise Program Logistics Support Aide team with logistics, including event planning, coordinating schedules, and preparing participant materials such as: Creating presentations. Gathering participant feedback. Creating communications for training or exercises.
Assist with the development of one emergency preparedness exercise Participate in planning and development utilizing Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) guidance.
Develop an emergency preparedness month engagement program for the airport You’ll play a key role in enhancing personal and professional preparedness by partnering with airport stakeholders to create monthly and weekly activities.
Contribute to the execution of the airports' FAR Part 139 Triennial Full-Scale Exercise Help organize and assist the team in preparation for the full-scale emergency exercise, including but not limited to set-up, tear-down, and other logistical support as needed.
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.