About Our Job

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver.

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 - $22.78, 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

Terminal Operations employees work in a full-time onsite environment to support operations at Denver International Airport (DEN). The DENtern’s work schedule will be flexible to accommodate their current academic commitments. 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. 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.
 

The Airport Operations Division is actively seeking a Terminal Airport Operations DENtern to contribute to its division. As part of DEN's Strategic Plan, Vision 100, which envisions reaching 100 million annual passengers, Terminal Operations plays a pivotal role in transforming the aviation industry.

The Terminal Operations team ensures the safe, efficient, and customer-focused operation of DEN’s terminals and concourses. We manage daily operations, respond to emergencies, and maintain compliance with federal regulations, all while collaborating with multiple stakeholders to keep passengers moving and maintain a world-class travel experience.

As an intern you will experience working on projects such as, but not limited to:

• Project #1: Planning and Logistics Support

  • Assist with planning and logistics for Terminal Operations programs, including coordinating events, managing timelines, and supporting smooth execution of initiatives.

• Project #2: Operational Improvement Initiative

  • Identify an improvement opportunity within Terminal Operations and apply Lean Six Sigma principles to analyze the issue, develop solutions, and propose measurable improvements.

• Project #3: Stakeholder Feedback Collection System

  • Design and implement a method for collecting and organizing feedback from passengers, tenants, and stakeholders. This includes creating surveys and developing a reporting framework.

• Project #4: Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) Shadowing

  • Shadow and support IMAT operations during real-time incidents and emergency drills.

  • Assist with documentation and crisis management protocols.

• Project #5: SOP Analysis and Improvement Proposal

  • Analyze one or more Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to identify gaps or inefficiencies and propose improvements to enhance operational effectiveness.

• Project #6: Cross Functional Meeting Participation

  • Participate in cross-functional meetings with internal and external stakeholders to gain insight into collaborative airport operations.

  • Document operational insights and contribute to follow-up actions that support departmental goals.

• Project #7: 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 interests, characteristics and skills:

• Interest in Aviation and Transportation: Curious about how airports operate and passionate about contributing to the travel experience.

• Commitment to Safety and Security: Values maintaining a safe environment for passengers and employees in a high stakes setting.

• Adaptability in Dynamic Environments: Thrives in fast-paced, ever-changing situations and remains calm under pressure.

• Customer-Centric Mindset: Enjoys creating positive experiences for travelers and understands the importance of service excellence.

• Analytical Curiosity: Interested in understanding processes, identifying inefficiencies, and exploring innovative solutions.

• Professional Growth Orientation: Motivated to learn, develop new skills, and gain exposure to diverse aspects of airport operations.

Desired Skill Set

• Attention to Detail: Demonstrates thoroughness and accuracy when completing tasks, ensuring safety and compliance

• Communication Skills: Possesses strong verbal and written communication abilities to effectively share information and collaborate with diverse stakeholders

• Critical Thinking: Evaluates information, considers alternatives, and makes informed decisions to support operational efficiency and problem-solving

• Initiative: Proactively identifies tasks and opportunities, taking ownership of learning and contributions to team projects

• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with others, building positive relationships and supporting shared goals in a fast-paced setting

What You Will Take Away

• Real-world experience in airport terminal operations and emergency response.

• Strong understanding of Lean Six Sigma principles and process improvement.

• Skills in planning, emergency procedures, logistics coordination, and stakeholder engagement.

• Understanding of SOP development and operational compliance.

• Professional networking and mentorship opportunities with industry experts.

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

• Licensures/Certification(s): Requires a valid Driver's License at the time of application

• Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment

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

$20.22 - $22.85

Target Pay

$20.22 - $22.78 based off level of education

Agency

Denver International Airport

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 [email protected] 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.