Engineering Internship - Wastewater Infrastructure Planning

Engineering Internship - Wastewater Infrastructure Planning 

At Colorado Springs Utilities, the work of the Wastewater Infrastructure Planning Group offers a unique opportunity for college students to engage, contribute and learn about the collection and wastewater treatment systems of the second largest system in the State. 

Within the Engineering Planning Group, we have numerous responsibilities to include modeling, planning and managing the system (both treatment and collections), routine engagement with wastewater operations, large-scale engineering projects/programs and field site visits to monitor the system. This is a transformational time for the wastewater system, as the City of Colorado Springs is poised for significant growth, as well as upcoming regulations and addressing aging infrastructure. Come be a part of the solution that will help fortify the direction of the utility for years to come.  

A Wastewater Planning Internship offers the following learning opportunities:

• Overview of Colorado Springs and our unique systems and challenges
• Significant contribution to the Wastewater System Plan, which is our system-wide plan that evaluates the system as it is today, what changes are coming and establishes a 20-year plan for the future
• Exposure to on-going engineering studies to include the following:
  • Biological nutrient removal study for our J.D. Phillips Water Resource Recovery Facility,
  • The Las Vegas Street Water Resource Recovery Facility Plan that is balancing aging infrastructure, growth and regulatory drivers to develop a 20-year improvement plan
  • Sand Creek Lift Station study and alternative analysis that is evaluating the redundancy and risk for one of our largest and most critical lift stations
  • Indirect Potable Re-Use Study, which is evaluating the implementation of reuse into our system. This study will provide lots of engagement with the water resources, water infrastructure, operations and environmental groups
• Exposure to water infrastructure planning through project engineering tasks
• Exposure to program management skills (tools, follow-through, reporting, etc.) to ensure careful processes and standards are followed in program implementation
• Extensive training in engineering principles with a mix of senior engineers and mid-level engineering teammates
• Opportunities according to aptitude and enthusiasm to explore further education in water infrastructure planning, project management, and operational engineering.

In this position the wastewater planning intern will be a part of the engineering solution as we conceptualize, evaluate and charter the course for the wastewater system.

*This is a summer only internship from May 27th through August 8th or 15th depending on school 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

Who You Are:  Prospective interns must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate engineering degree program. Preferred candidates will be pursuing a degree in civil or environmental engineering (ABET accredited program). This individual should be a critical thinker, who can extract information from data to make recommendations while maintaining strong attention to quality, detail, and accuracy.  Modeling software knowledge is a plus, but not required.  Candidates who demonstrate professional demeanor, innovative thinking and educational curiosity will excel within our enterprise..

Who We Are...Colorado Springs Utilities, a four-service utility provider with a 100-year reputation of integrity, gives you an experience unmatched by other utility companies. We continuously strive to stay ahead of the business curve with our established priority to update and incorporate state-of-the-art technology and provide a work culture dedicated to innovation, collaboration, and synergy. In fact, we were recently awarded the Diamond Designation from the American Public Power Association (APPA), recognizing our utility for having some of the highest ratings in reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvements among the more than 2,000 public utilities in the nation.

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 do not just say people ar