Civil Engineering Internship - Design Water and Wastewater

Civil Engineering Internship - Design Water and Wastewater 

Colorado Springs Utilities is looking for a civil engineering student interested in the water and wastewater utility industry.  In this position, you will aid the Design Water Wastewater section in various phases of water distribution system, vertical water and wastewater projects from data analysis to design and construction.  

At  Colorado Springs Utilities, we have a few approaches on designs for water and wastewater projects based on the specific asset and its need. The Design section is comprised of Standards, Engineering Support, Linear, and Vertical units. Currently, Engineering Support serves Linear’s largely in-house civil design of projects. On Vertical water and wastewater projects, however, a hired engineer (Engineer of Record), encompassing multiple engineering disciplines, completes designs. In those, Vertical serves as project technical lead and is commonly the Colorado Springs Utilities’ engineer.  

In this internship, you support and gain experience with water and wastewater assets in the following areas:

• Project planning/ Desktop Assessment /Research– Research utility records, GIS information, material information, soil information, as-built construction plans, property, and easement data for water project design
  • Review project schedules and budgets
• Data Analysis– Evaluate data collected to identify utility and structure conflicts and site conditions necessary for determining design parameters and specifications
• Collaboration – Attend meetings with key stakeholders to facilitate holistic design considering other utility infrastructure as well as street improvements 
  • Work with Engineers, Project Managers, Designers, Operators
  • Work with internal sources (e.g., system operations, project and construction management, environmental services, public affairs, operations engineering) to get designs fabricated
  • Work with external sources (i.e., consultants, permitting agencies)
• Observe and assist in design
  • Water Main Design - Assist with the design process for replacing and rehabilitating water distribution mains
  • Review contracts, drawings, specifications, technical memoranda and other engineering reports, including supporting calculations or modeling
  • Perform civil and environmental engineering quality reviews of Springs Utilities engineers and / or consultants 
• Observe and assist in construction
  • Construction Oversight – Observe on-site inspections of construction work to ensure consistency with design drawings and specifications
  • Visit project sites and work with field and construction teams to develop solutions and corresponding designs.

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.  Knowledge of AutoCAD is desirable but not required. Other software (modeling) knowledge a plus.  Candidates who demonstrate professional demeanor, innovative thinking and educational curiosity will excel within our enterprise.

A valid, unrestricted driver's license is required for this role.

Why should you apply?  Working with our section will provide insight into what it takes to deliver quality, timely and accurate information in a collaborative and fast-paced environment, designed to prepare you for a career in civil engineering. This position will afford you the opportunity to work with very dedicated teams of highly skilled technical professionals who are passionate in their service to our community. We are big enough to have a large variety of projects, but small enough where you can be involved in many aspects of the design and construction process.

This internship position will require 40 hours/week from May through August.   Additionally, it may be possible for the internship to extend beyond the summer and through the 2025/2026 school year, with more limited hours; a minimum of 10 hours/week and a maximum of 20 hours/week. The position can be designed to support a student’s school schedule. Note, remote option is unavailable.

*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 progr