Preventing Targeted Violence Intern

Build a safer Colorado while building your career.

Are you looking for more than just a line on a resume? Our internship programs offer students a front-row seat to the critical work of safeguarding our communities. From forensic science to emergency management, you will apply classroom theory to high-stakes, real-world situations alongside the state’s leading public safety experts.

Program Requirements & Benefits

• Credit-Based: All internships must be taken for college/university credit.
• Commitment: Typically 10–20 hours per week (varies by division).
• Flexibility: Office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Interns can set a flexible schedule within these hours to accommodate their academic needs.
• Compensation: These are currently unpaid positions unless otherwise noted.
• Perks: Gain practical work experience, access to state-level training, professional networking, and a potential pathway to full-time employment within the State of Colorado.

Colorado Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (DHSEM)

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) is tasked with leading the state’s efforts to prepare for, mitigate, and respond to all-hazard events. Established in 2012, the division consolidates emergency management and homeland security functions to streamline the state’s ability to handle natural disasters, such as wildfires and floods, as well as intentional threats like terrorism. DHSEM is organized into three primary offices—the Office of Emergency Management, the Office of Public Safety Communications, and the Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC)—which collectively provide technical assistance, state-wide communications, training, and real-time intelligence to local jurisdictions. By coordinating resources between local, state, and federal partners, the division ensures that Colorado communities are resilient and equipped to respond to and recover swiftly from crises. Its overarching mission is to protect the safety and security of Colorado residents through a comprehensive program focused on the five core areas of prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery.

Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC)

The Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC) is an office within DHSEM that serves as a central hub for receiving, analyzing, and sharing threat-related information among public sector, private sector, local, tribal and federal partners throughout Colorado and the United States. The CIAC focuses on preventing acts of crime, taking an all-threats approach to analyze potential dangers to Colorado's community and infrastructure, focusing on areas such as cyber actors, terrorism, threats to elected officials, and organized crime.

The CIAC internship program provides students with the opportunity to assist with analytic efforts, including intelligence writing, briefings, and trainings across a variety of focus areas. Internships typically range from 3–12 months in length, depending on the student’s availability and the needs of the assigned team.

Minimum time commitment: Three (3) months at four (4) hours per week.

Candidates must be enrolled in a Bachelor’s program (senior-year students) or a Master’s program with a focus in criminal justice, homeland security, intelligence, cybersecurity, fire and emergency management, or a related field. Ability to pass a background investigation and polygraph examination, as well as successful completion of required training upon acceptance as an intern. Internship opportunities are offered depending on operational unit needs.

Preventing Targeted Violence - This unit has a multidisciplinary approach to prevent ideological, non-ideological and bias motivated attacks, including analysis of extremism trends, case support, and behavioral threat assessment training.