Airside Operations College Intern - Denver, CO

About Our Job · What We Offer · 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, · ba ...

Job description

About Our Job
What We Offer
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, 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.

What You'll Bring
Our ideal candidate has some or all the following skills, characteristics, and interest:

• 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

Desired Skill Set

• 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

Minimum Qualifications

• 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

Optional Documents

• 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.

Application Deadline
This position is expected to stay open until Monday, February 23, 2026. Please submit your application as soon as possible and no later than February 22nd at 11:59 PM.

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.
FBI Background Check
FBI criminal background check is required for all positions at Denver International Airport (DEN). Employees are also required to report any felony convictions and/or moving violations to maintain this clearance and be eligible for continued employment. By position, a pre-employment physical/drug test may be required.

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

About Everything Else
Job Profile
TA3181 Professional Administration Intern

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

Position Type
Oncall

Position Salary Range
$ $22.85

Target Pay
$20.22 to $22.78/hr

Agency
Denver International Airport

Redeployment during Citywide Emergencies
City and County of Denver employees may be re-deployed to work in other capacities in their own agencies or in other city agencies to support core functions of the city during a citywide emergency declared by the Mayor.

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 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.