Our Mission -Engaged employees working together to safeguard lives and to provide diverse public safety services to local communities.
Our Vision -Creating safer and more resilient communities across Colorado.
Our Core Values -Unity, Honor, Service
The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.
The State is dedicated to non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.
At CDPS, our culture is driven by our commitment to creating a safer Colorado and guided by a public service focus. We strive to provide effective solutions and services to our fellow Coloradans. We model a culture of collaboration, innovation, and growth for our employees. We maintain a professional and inclusive workplace.
Careers with a purpose:
If you are passionate about public safety and public service, and are eager to dedicate your career to serving Coloradans, consider joining CDPS. Our team at CDPS consists of exceptional individuals and is an environment where you can challenge yourself and acquire new capabilities to build a rewarding and fulfilling career.
We are committed to providing public safety services to our communities including safety on our roads, preparing for and mitigating environmental disasters such as floods and wildland fires, disaster recovery, combating crime, promoting school safety, and victim services.
Classification and Salary: Unpaid Intern -- to receive course/college credit.
About the Work Unit
The Staff Services Branch is the intelligence core of the Colorado State Patrol (CSP). We're focused on evidence-based policing, turning complex data into tactical and strategic reports. Our goal is to analyze traffic/crime trends, identify patterns, and help the CSP strategically use its resources to keep the public safe.The Internship: Data-Driven Policing
About the Internship
We're looking for an analytical graduate researcher for a high-impact internship. This role is where data meets public safety policy.
The Main Goal:You will conduct a deep analysis of CSP traffic stop and crash data to find out if proactive enforcement (traffic stops) actually reduces crash rates and severity. Your findings will be key to shaping our enforcement strategies.
Additional Research Opportunities (If Time/Priorities Allow)
Depending on what we find first, you could also research:
DUI Reduction:Checking how effective different enforcement campaigns are at reducing impaired driving.
High-Crash Zones:Analyzing how we deploy resources in high-risk corridors.
Your Role:You will be the crucial link between raw numbers and real-world safety decisions. Your statistical work will translate directly into concrete, actionable recommendations for CSP leadership, influencing state-wide traffic safety policy.
What You'll Be Doing
You'll work largely on your own, mentored by our team. Key tasks include:
Finding the Data:Selecting the necessary datasets.
Cleaning the Data:Making sure the raw data is accurate and high-quality.
Advanced Analysis:Performing in-depth statistical analysis using team tools (Excel, Tableau) and your own programming tools (R, Python, SQL), if necessary.
Presenting Findings:Creating clear, professional presentations that summarize the evidence and propose practical, policy-focused recommendations to CSP command staff
Expectations
This opportunity will primarily be remote with the first one to two weeks in-person to learn how to get access to appropriate data
This project should be completed in one semester
Hours are flexible to the students class schedule with an expectation of 8-10 hours of work per week
Note, to be considered for this position, you must meet one of the following options for consideration.
Minimum Requirements
Student Status: Currently enrolled in a graduate level program
Tech Skills: Proven, practical ability with modern data analysis tools, including expertise in manipulation, aggregation, and visualization.
Statistical Knowledge: A solid grasp of statistical concepts, especially the ability to go beyond simple correlation to identify potential causation in real-world data.
Conditions of Employment
Requires successful completion of a background investigation that includes a polygraph exam, a fingerprint based criminal history search, and drug testing.
Disability Accommodation
If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure equitable opportunity applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Human Resources at:cdps_hr@state.co.us.
The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.
Colorado Department of Public Safety is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.
Applicationsare considered complete and accurate at the time of submission. Therefore, additional informationmay notbe 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.
Military Veterans:If you are a military veteran you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Member 4 Copy, and VA disability letter if available/applicable at the time of application so we can determine if you are eligible for veteran's preference points. Military personnel who are stationed outside of Colorado may be eligible for this position by submitting the completed DD-2058 "State of Legal Residence" form.
Application Tips: For an overview of State of Colorado application process and application tips, please view thisvideo.
Resumes, Cover Letters,or other documents submittedwillnotbe 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 theemail address listed on your application. Include your current working email addresson 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 "info@governmentjobs.com" addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email.
e-Verify: CDPS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more aboutE-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
Comparative Analysis Stepsmayinclude(dates are tentative and subject to change):
An online recorded interview conducted via Sparkhire -- May 15th through May 24th
Meet the team for selected finalist -- week of May 25th