Office of Emergency Management Access and Functional Needs Spring 2027 Internship

Internship Opportunity

The Office of Emergency Management, Planning Section, leads the Division's integrated response and short-term recovery planning efforts. Our section is comprised of two specialized units: Operational Planning and Public Safety Communications. Together, these units provide critical planning support to the Division, State agencies, local emergency managers, and key stakeholders across Colorado.

Colorado's Access and Functional Needs (AFN) program connects government and community groups to integrate access and functional needs into emergency management plans that include everyone, especially people who need extra help during a disaster. The goal is to equip emergency management stakeholders to effectively address CMIST (Communication, Maintain Health, Independence; Safety, Support Services, and Self-Determination, and Transportation) resource disruptions for their whole community throughout the disaster cycle. The program offers:

• Help Local Communities: Gives tools to state and local offices to build emergency plans that include people with access and functional needs.
• Community Member Disaster Planning: Helps local planners run workshops so families can prepare for disruptions to health, safety and travel.
• Advise Leaders: Integrate access and functional needs into emergency planning and operations.
• Interpretation and Instruction on Emergency Management Laws: Explains how to follow state laws about accessibility during emergencies.

• Facilitate and Create Training: Trains communities on how to prevent, protect against, lessen, respond to and recover from disasters.
• Host a Yearly Conference: Leads and plans the annual Colorado Access and Functional Needs Conference at a no cost registration for Colorado Emergency Management and partners.
• Strengthen Disaster Readiness: Helps the State Emergency Operations Center practice safety drills before disasters happen and serves as Access and Functional Needs Officer in response.

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: Hybrid Position (in-office attendance (Centennial Office) is flexible, with a preference for Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday) Commitment: 9 to 16 hours per week Core Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM Internship Opportunities:

• Event Production: Assist in producing accessible events and the Access and Functional Needs Conference. Responsibilities include managing picture-in-picture (PIP) production, using OSEE for hybrid events, and coordinating video recordings with language interpretation, ASL, and captioning.
• Marketing: Support marketing initiatives for the Access and Functional Needs Program, including the development of newsletters, monthly meetings, and training materials.
• Data Analytics: Analyze data to measure project success and facilitate the transfer of knowledge from Access and Functional Needs meetings, trainings, and conferences.
• Event Planning: Coordinate events, including presenter selection, agenda development, and sponsorship outreach for the annual Access and Functional Needs Conference and related meetings.

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 professionals
• Professional development and skill-building opportunities

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