Job Description

Water Conservation Internship

Colorado Springs Utilities seeks a motivated intern to support customer engagement and education in water wise landscaping. In this role, you will help community members understand and adopt sustainable landscape practices by offering guidance on native plants, irrigation efficiency, and water smart design. You also will contribute to the development, installation, and care of our Water-wise Demonstration Gardens and new Water Smart Garden Packs, gaining hands on horticulture and project experience while empowering customers to make informed, resilient choices for their landscapes.

This internship offers the following learning opportunities:

• Lead real world landscaping projects that serve as community models and support customer learning around sustainable landscape practices
• Build career ready skills in landscape design, installation, irrigation, and maintenance, while expanding your understanding of regulatory processes and water policy
• Gain exposure to water conservation and water resources management in Colorado
• Develop program management skills, including documentation, follow through, and reporting to ensure consistent standards in customer facing programs
• Receive extensive training and field experience in customer communication, education, and conflict resolution
• Contribute to shaping the future of sustainable landscaping in Colorado through direct engagement with residents and community partners

Key Areas of Focus:

• Grow and propagate native plants to support customer programs and the demonstration gardens. (25%)
• Design, install, and maintain water wise landscape demonstrations that serve as educational tools for the public. (25%)
• Meet with program participants to identify water wise landscape solutions, including conceptual designs and program documentation for the Water Smart Garden Pack. (15%)
• Conduct irrigation audits and assist with water use analysis to help customers improve efficiency. (10%)
• Support community education efforts, modeling best practices in sustainable landscaping, including the Water Wise Rules and drought response campaigns. (25%)

What You’ll Gain

• Mentorship from industry leaders in horticulture, water conservation, customer education, and landscape design
• Hands on experience with plant propagation, irrigation systems, plant establishment, and sustainable maintenance practices
• Insight into the policies, regulations, and planning processes that guide water use in Colorado
• A strong professional network and a portfolio of customer-focused projects
• The satisfaction of contributing to a more resilient, water wise community
  

Who You Are:

• College students pursuing degrees in Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, or related fields
• Demonstrated passion for native plants, ecological design, and sustainable land management
• Comfortable working outdoors and engaging in hands on fieldwork
• Curious, collaborative, and eager to learn from experienced professionals while interacting with customers and community members

*This is a seasonal position requiring 40 as-needed work hours/week; with 40 hours per week preferred during the summer months May 26th through August or September. The position can be designed to support a student’s school schedule after early August. The majority of the effort will be needed between June through August and decreasing work requirements after August (less hours required and/or a fluctuation in job responsibilities according to work requirements). This position can extend through September if it works with student’s schedule.
*This is an on-site, non-remote/non-telecommuting position.
*Hourly rate is dependent on year completed of academic degree, e.g., second year complete, third year complete, etc.
*Candidates MUST be enrolled in a degree seeking program (Associates/Bachelors/Masters) and be able to provide documentation if requested. Enrollment in a certification program does not qualify.
*A valid, unrestricted driver's license is required for this position.

Physical Requirements:
- Exerts 20-50 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or 10-25 lbs. of force frequently, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.
- 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.

Who We Are: We are a diverse team of professionals who take pride in delivering exceptional service to our community through new and innovative technologies. With just under 2000 employees and 6 divisions, Colorado Springs Utilities provides horizontal and vertical growth opportunities for our enterprising employees.

Nestled at the base of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs is the perfect blend of mountain and city living. Colorado Springs boasts breathtaking scenery, abundant recreation activities, and diverse populations. With the race to meet Colorado’s water supply gap, this is an opportunity to participate in solution-based, innovative actions with one of the largest municipal water providers in the state.

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