Job Description

Facilities Project Management Group - School To Employment Program (STEP)

Colorado Springs Utilities is looking for a motivated and engaged high school student to join the Facilities Project Management Group within the Facilities and Land Resources Services Section at Colorado Springs Utilities. This experience will provide a valuable opportunity for a motivated individual to gain hands-on experience in Engineering Support, Construction Project Management, and the day-to-day operations required to manage internal facilities across the organization. This role will help develop future talent while supporting our mission to reliably and effectively serve the customers of Colorado Springs.

This position will begin on June 8th and will be an 8-9 week commitment
**You must be available to work 30-40 hours per week, with 30 being the minimum; some flexibility available for existing commitments. A minimum of 8 weeks of commitment is required.

Colorado Springs Utilities offers the School To Employment Program (STEP) for talented high school students. STEP is a partnership with local high schools which focuses on high school students, 16 years or older, interested in gaining exposure to Colorado Springs Utilities and the roles and services it offers. STEP allows students to gain work-related training in order to prepare for the workplace after graduation.

In this role, the student will gain exposure to the full project management lifecycle, from initiation to completion, while also learning how our internal facilities operate on a daily basis. This includes observing how maintenance needs are identified and prioritized, how building systems are managed, and how operational decisions support employee productivity and safety. Through this combined experience, the student will develop a practical understanding of how facilities operations and construction project management work together to support a growing utility and meet the evolving needs of our customers. Additionally, complying with all safety and health programs in support of an incident and injury free workplace.

In this student-based role; in conjunction with mentor and team, the student will gain familiarity with the following processes and concepts:

• Collaboration with internal customers/stakeholders to identify facilities in need of critical maintenance and repair
• Working with technical experts and stakeholders to define project scope, budget, objectives, milestones, resource requirements, and deliverables
• Reviewing project scope, track milestones/schedule, budget, quality standards, regulatory requirements, and project close-out and completion
• The development of project plans, estimates, specifications, and schedules by gathering data, conducting research, and performing basic analysis
• Stakeholder communication and coordination
• Accurate document management such as risk registers, schedules, cost data, contracts, permits, technical drawings, specifications, statements of work, submittals, RFIs, and correspondence are maintained in the project management information system
• Contract management, including development of Statement of Work (SOW) and sourcing of external resources, amendments, and change orders
• Review of pay applications and contractor invoices and routes for approval
• Ensures projects are executed in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, ordinances, codes, and Utilities' policies, procedures, and standards

The Facilities Project Management student will learn the following skills:

• Project Management Skills: Gain hands-on experience managing project scope, schedule, and budget while supporting documentation, follow through, and reporting activities that ensure consistent processes and standards across facilities projects
• Project Management Strategies: Learn the methods and best practices used by Colorado Springs Utilities’ Facilities Project Managers to plan, coordinate, and deliver construction and maintenance projects effectively
• Basic AutoCAD: Building fundamental skills in creating, interpreting, and applying AutoCAD drawings to communicate design concepts and facility needs to project teams and stakeholders
• Data Analysis: Using data to measure the success of marketing efforts and make informed decisions
• Collaboration: Work closely with cross‑functional teams to understand project requirements, observe daily facilities operations, and see how maintenance, planning, and project execution intersect to keep Colorado Springs Utilities’ facilities running safely and efficiently.

What will it take to be successful? Prospective candidates must coordinate their application with their counselor and a written recommendation from the counselor MUST accompany your application attached with your resume as one document ONLY (The application system does not allow for multiple attachments, only one)

• You MUST be 16 years or older and currently enrolled in high school; students graduating in May of 2026 are also eligible
• Hourly pay is based on your enrollment status; current students - $16.78/hr and May 2026 graduates - $19.17/hr
• You must have and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA and are in good standing at your respective high school and a good attendance record and no disciplinary concerns
• Enrolled in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) or relevant program at your high school is preferred, but not required
• This role does require a current, valid driver's license and your own transportation, as based on the role, the candidate will be working at different locations around the city

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Exerts up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently, and/or a small amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those required for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a small amount, a job should be rated Light Work when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree or when it requires sitting most of the time, but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls and/or when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is small. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding work even though the amount of force exerted is negligible.
- Positions in this class typically require climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, vibrations, fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, workspace restrictions and intense noises.

Our Commitment to Our Employees…
Our people are the heart and soul of Colorado Springs Utilities. They keep the lights on, gas flowing, water coming in, and wastewater leaving. We don't just say people are important – we prove it! That’s why we are honored to invest in protecting the health and financial security of our employees and their families through our rich benefits program.

• Time Off to Recharge
• Vacation – Start with 13 days annually, increasing to 24 days with tenure
• Paid Holidays –12 paid holidays per year
• Sick Leave – 12 days per year for personal or family health needs
• Vacation Buy – Option to purchase up to 40 additional hours annually
• Health & Wellness – Benefits elected are effective the first of the following month
• Medical Plans: Three comprehensive options, including a $0 premium High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA) eligibility
• Zero Health: Access to hundreds of medical services at no cost
• Dental & Vision: Two dental plans and one vision plan
• Family Building-Benefits: Support for fertility, preservation, adoption, and surrogacy
• Wellness Program: A voluntary program that rewards you for prioritizing self-care! If you're enrolled in a our medical plan, you and your spouse can earn up to $600 in HRA or HSA contributions by completing healthy activities
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Pre-tax contributions for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Health Savings Account (HSA): Available with HDHP
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support for mental health, stress, legal, financial, and work-life balance
• Financial & Retirement Security
• Pension Plan: Colorado PERA provides retirement benefits and peace of mind
• Supplemental Retirement Plans: PERAPlus 401(k), MissionSquare Roth IRA, and 457 plans
• Disability Coverage: Short-Term and Long-Term Disability insurance available
• Life Insurance: Employer-paid coverage with optional supplemental plans
• Long-Term Care Insurance: Available for purchase to support extended care needs