Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC) Spring Internship

Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC) Internship for Spring 2027!

 This internship offers a unique opportunity to play a vital role in keeping Colorado safe. You won’t just be observing; you will be an active member of our team, applying your academic knowledge to real-world, high-stakes public sector challenges. Working alongside seasoned professionals, you will help protect our communities by supporting the office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management . This experience is designed to be a launchpad for your career, helping you build a portfolio of meaningful work and a professional network dedicated to public service.

About the Work Unit

The Office of  Homeland Security & Emergency Management, Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC) mission is to serve as the focal point within the State for receiving, analyzing, and sharing threat-related information among private sector, local, tribal, and federal partners.

The CIAC focuses on preventing acts of terrorism, taking an all-crimes/all-threats approach.  We are a centralized resource that gathers, analyzes, and disseminates all-threats information to private sector, local, state, tribal, and federal stakeholders throughout Colorado and the United States.

The CIAC serves as the state's fusion center, a multidisciplinary, multi-agency network of professionals from private sector, local, state, tribal and federal partners conducting analysis and sharing information to prevent, protect and respond to crimes and potential or actual acts of terrorism.  The CIAC is one component of the national network of fusion centers, which are an integral part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's strategic initiative for information sharing.

The CIAC ensures a coordinated information exchange using the following strategies:

Information gathering and analysis.
The CIAC is responsible for the receipt, review, analysis, and dissemination of pertinent homeland security intelligence.  The CIAC is the primary link between private sector, local, state, tribal, and federal partners to prevent major criminal threats, including acts of terrorism.

Dissemination of reports and best practices.
The CIAC produces reports for law enforcement and non-law enforcement personnel in a timely manner for the purpose of information sharing on criminal acts that may be related to all-threats and acts of terrorism that may directly affect Colorado.

Integration with a national fusion network.
The CIAC is integrated into the national network of state fusion centers, which have the ability to share information at all levels with federal, state, tribal and local agencies.

Protecting Your Privacy and Civil Rights.
The CIAC's Privacy Policy complies with applicable laws protecting privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties, including 28 CFR Part 23.  This policy supports timely information sharing while still protecting the privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties of individuals and groups.  All CIAC personnel, part-time employees, interns, Threat Liaison Officers, as well as individuals permanently assigned to the CIAC from other agencies, must complete the privacy training and comply with the CIAC’s Privacy Policy.  The policy was approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Colorado Attorney General’s Office in 2010 and is available to the public upon request. 

About the 2027 Spring Internship
This unpaid internship offers a supportive learning environment where students can apply their academic knowledge to real-world public-sector challenges. Interns will gain practical experience, expand their professional networks, participate in professional development, and develop a portfolio of work that supports future career opportunities

Work Environment 
Format: 100% on-site attendance (Lakewood Office) is flexible, with a preference for Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday)

Commitment: 8 hours per week
Core Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM

Internship Opportunities: 

• Critical Infrastructure: Interns will perform duties related to threat assessment (e.g., event, location, organization) as well as vulnerability assessments including identifying physical security related weaknesses resulting in focused prioritization and efficient allocation of resources. Interns will also assist in intelligence writing, briefings and trainings as needed.
• Watch Center: Interns will perform duties related to tactical requests, intelligence gathering and information sharing with partners across the state, and country. Interns will also assist in intelligence writing, briefings and trainings as needed.
• All Threats Intelligence Unit: Interns will perform duties related to intelligence collection and information sharing across a variety of focuses including: Violent Gangs, Human Trafficking, Illicit Market Marijuana/Narcotics, Transnational
  Organized Crime, Organized Retail Crime, Threats to Elected Officials and the Threat Liaison Officer Program. Interns will also assist in intelligence writing, briefings and trainings as needed.

What You'll Gain

• Hands-on experience working on meaningful projects
• Exposure to professional and public service career pathways
• Mentorship and collaboration with experienced emergency management and homeland security professionals
• Professional development and skill-building opportunities

We encourage current students eager to build real-world experience, develop professional skills, and explore careers in Homeland Security and Emergency Management to apply!

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights:

Note, to be considered for this position, you must meet one of the following options for consideration.

Proven Experience, Knowledge, Skills

No prior professional experience is required. Candidates should be eager to learn in a fast-paced environment and possess a strong desire to understand our work. We value reliability, flexibility, and trainability. The ability to travel as needed is also required.

Education: Current enrollment in a Master's program from an accredited college, university, or community college in Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Critical Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Social Sciences, International Studies, or a closely related field.
  * Note: Other concentrations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

 

Conditions of Employment 

Requires successful completion of a background investigation that includes a polygraph exam, a fingerprint based criminal history search, reference checking.

Minimum commitment of 8 hours on-site per week.

Active enrollment in a Master's program