Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC) 2027 Spring Internship

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

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!

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 

• Applications are considered complete and accurate at the time of submission. Therefore, additional information may not be solicited or accepted after your application has been received.

• Closing Date: All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications may proceed to the next step. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process. 

• Supplemental Question: Effective responses to Supplemental Questions will directly relate to your professional experience, career accomplishments, and views about organizational values and approaches, and how they relate specifically to this position and requirements as you understand them. Answers generated by AI-tools will typically be unresponsive.  

• Transcripts: An unofficial copy of transcripts must be submitted at the time of application should education be used as qualification. Transcripts from colleges or universities outside the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and must be included as part of your application materials. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report may prevent your application from moving forward in the selection process. 

• Application Tips: For an overview of State of Colorado application process and application tips, please view this video.  

• Resumes, Cover Letters, or other documents submitted will not be reviewed, assessed, or used in the initial stages of the comparative analysis (transcripts submitted to verify that the applicant meets either the education requirement or minimum qualification substitution are exempt from this).

• Notifications: All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be sent via email to the email address listed on your application.  Include your current working email address on your application and check the email provided on your application frequently as you could receive time sensitive correspondence regarding this position. We highly recommend that you set up your email to accept messages from "state.co.us" and "[email protected]" addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email.

• Comparative Analysis Steps may include (dates are tentative and subject to change): 

  • Structured application review by a panel of SMEs (September 23-27)

  • Panel Interview - October 12-16 (Tentative)

  • Anticipated start date: January 2027