Air Quality Research and Data Analyst Intern

Air Quality Research and Data Analyst Intern

The Environmental Quality Division within the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) has an opening for an Air Quality Research and Data Analyst Intern. This Paid Internship will include responsibilities both in-office and in-field primarily focused on protecting Denver’s air quality. The individual in this position will have additional duties and learning opportunities outlined below.

What We Offer

The City and County of Denver offers a competitive hourly rate commensurate with education. All City and County of Denver emerging talent positions are supported by a trained hiring manager and encouraged to attend up to 4 sessions of professional development each season (Winter/Spring, Summer and Fall).

Location & Schedule

The City and County of Denver utilizes a hybrid model workplace that balances the responsibilities of public service with the benefits of a flexible work environment. Employees work where needed, at a city site and/or in the field several days a week and telecommute remotely at a designated workplace within the State of Colorado the remaining days. 

What You’ll Do

As an Intern, you will work on various projects and tasks to help you understand how Denver’s air quality is monitored and protected.

As an Air Quality Research and Data Analyst Intern you will have the opportunity to experience: 

Air Quality Data and Analysis

• Assist with reviewing and analyzing air quality monitoring data (e.g., PM2.5, PM10, NOx, ozone) for quality control, trend evaluation on a weekly and quarterly basis.
• Help prepare technical reports, graphs and written interpretations of air quality data for internal memos and public facing materials.
• Develop or update spreadsheets or databases used by the Love My Air program as needed.
• Assist the Love My Air team to develop and implement ideas for public-facing tools, website dashboards and air quality Smartphone app updates.
• Maintain the ArcGIS StoryMaps for the Love My Air program.
• Using dispersion modeling to assess air quality impacts from pollution sources (training provided; experience is helpful but not required for position). 
  • Air quality dispersion modeling is a mathematical simulation using computer software to predict how pollutants from factories, cars, or other pollution sources impact air quality. It uses data on source characteristics, source emission rates, weather, and terrain to estimate impacts. 

Field and Monitoring Support

• Assist with outdoor air monitoring equipment activities, including basic maintenance checks, site visits, calibrations and sensor/air monitor deployments (training provided; no prior monitoring experience required).
• Help document and organize field activities, maintenance logs and calibration records in accordance with program protocols.

Community Engagement and Communications

• Attend Love My Air workshops, outreach and community events as needed.
• Support Love My Air outreach efforts by helping develop educational content that connects air quality data to health impacts.
• Assist with updating maps, dashboards, story maps, or other tools used to communicate air-quality information to schools, health clinics and other community partners.
• Participate in internal planning for community air quality projects and events.

Research and Program Support

• Conduct background research on air quality topics, best practices or monitoring approaches to support program development.
• Review and evaluate public-facing tools, dashboards and StoryMaps developed by other cities or organizations to inform improvements and new ideas for the Love My Air program.
• Contribute ideas and recommendations for enhancing Love My Air tools, data visualizations and community-facing resources based on research findings.
• Help prepare both technical and non-technical documents, presentations and reports related to air-quality initiatives as needed.

General Program Support

• Participate in team/organization meetings, trainings and occasional field activities
• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the Love My Air program

What You’ll Bring

We value diversity of ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, sexual identity, gender, religion, language, ability, and experience and exemplify this through the makeup of our team at all levels. You'll be right at home here if you cultivate strong relationships and push yourself, your work, the people around you and Denver to the next level.

Our ideal candidate has some or all the following experience, skills, and characteristics: 

• Pursuing a higher degree or certification in Public Health, Environmental Health, Environmental Science, Environmental Sustainability, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Urban Planning, or a related field
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• A self-starter with the capacity to take initiative.
• Positive attitude.
• Critical thinker with a strong attention to detail.
• A successful track record of being dependable, reliable, and focused.
• Proven successful at working collaboratively with others as well as working independently.
• Proficient in MS Office Suites and data analysis software (R, Excel, etc)
• Exposure to ArcGIS.
• Exposure to methods to conduct air dispersion modeling (preferred but not required)
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability and interest in working outdoors.
• Ability to consistently follow safety rules/policies and the appropriate usage of personal protection equipment.

Required Minimum Qualifications

Education Requirement: Current enrollment in an accredited college program leading to a certificate, licensure, associates, bachelor’s, or higher degree in public health, science, technology, engineering, mathematics or closely related field, or a recent graduate (completed specified program within 1 year of completion).

Experience Requirement: None

Education and Experience Equivalency: No substitution of experience for education is permitted.

License/Certification Requirement: 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: 

• Resume: 1-2 pages, with the most current information.
• Cover Letter
• Transcripts – either official or unofficial, dated within your current academic term. 

Application Deadline

This position is expected to stay open until April 30. Please submit your application as soon as possible and no later than April 30 at 11:59 PM.