**Watershed Planning Internship** Job Type: **Internship** Pay Range **$21.62 to $28.55** Location **Colorado Springs, CO** Date First Posted **2/8/25** Applications are being accepted through: 2/19/25 _*If no date is displayed, applications are being accepted on an ongoing basis; however, this job posting may close at any time after a minimum of 5 days of being posted._ **Watershed Planning Internship** Colorado Springs Utilities’ Watershed Planning group works to manage landscapes with various partners to restore and enhance ecosystems for the protection of Utilities’ water supply and system infrastructure. The Watershed Planning group is offering a unique opportunity for college students to learn forest management, watershed sciences, and source water protection at a landscape level. This work will have unique opportunities of working in the field supporting vegetation management projects, source water monitoring and protection projects, and supporting overall operations as it relates to watershed management in the summer months. Specific details and opportunities Watershed Planning internship offers: + Exposure to environmental stewardship and the daily skills needed for careers to be effective in natural resources management and conservation + Overview of forest and watershed management, operations and recreation + Support in the development of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as it relates to the development of forest management projects, plans, and monitoring of watershed level forest and vegetation conditions + Supporting watershed related water projects to support stream channel restoration, stream flow management, and water quality monitoring + Extensive training and field work in remote watershed areas and natural environments supporting the design, layout and implementation of vegetation management, forestry, and fire related projects on municipal watershed lands In this internship the Watershed Planning Intern will have direct involvement and assist in ongoing projects while helping develop new projects for future work as it relates to watershed health and the protection of resources within a watershed landscape. The intern will have the opportunity to work closely to understand where our water comes from, the value of water, and the impacts associated to forest fire, recreation uses, and water quality. The Watershed Planning group will share the best practices of each unique program and the science related to the specific projects and how they connect to protect critical watershed systems. Please review the duties below regarding the details of the internship position: + _Forest Management Program - 50%_ + Support the forest management program with forestry related project, planning, stand data collection, forest inventory, vegetation and noxious weeds wildfire modeling, and project implementation on the municipal watershed lands and development of the Forest Management Plan + _Fountain Creek Watershed Program - 20%_ + Support project planning and water related projects in municipal watersheds and along fountain creek + _Source Water Protection Program - 20%_ + Support source water protection projects as it relates to water quality and recreation on municipal watershed lands. Assist in recreation events and impacts to water from recreation + _General Watershed Related Tasks - 10%_ + Support the Watershed Planning group in overall operations and mapping for watershed management. Support and learn from other workgroups within the section as it relates to water, electric, and water conservation. **Who You Are..** .highly qualified students will be working towards a degree with a focus in Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Wildland Fire Science, Hydrology, Environmental Science or Watershed Management. **_*T_** **_his is a summer only internship from May 27th through August 8th or 15th_** **_depending on school schedule; the majority of the effort will be needed between June and July as much of the work is field related and weather conditions are favorable._** **_*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_** **Who We Are...** Colorado Springs Utilities is the largest community owned, not-for-profit, four-service utility in the nation. For 100 years, we have provided Colorado Springs with safe, reliable and competitively-priced electric, natural gas, water and wastewater services. We care about our community's well-being, support local business and have an interest in all things that help make Colorado Springs a great place to live, work and play **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 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. As a Temporary employee you will enjoy the following benefits: + Time Off – Because everybody needs time off to recharge + Vacation –New employees accrue 13 days of paid time off to start, while our more tenured employees accrue 24 days per year + Paid Holidays –12 paid holidays per year + Sick Leave – Accrue 12 days of sick leave annually for those days when you or a family member is feeling under the weather + Vacation Buy – Purchase up to 40 hours of additional vacation time + Pension Plan – Looking forward to a comfortable lifestyle once you’re done working? The Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) provides you with retirement benefits and peace of mind when you retire + Medical – Select from three comprehensive medical plans, starting at $0 per month. Employees also enjoy access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA). (effective the 1st of the month following your start date) + Wellness Program – Voluntary wellness program that allows you and your spouse to each earn up to $500 to use towards healthcare expenses, $100 in Visa gift cards, and up to $400 in gym membership reimbursements + Dental – Select from two dental plans, with in-network PPO preventive care covered at 100% and access to orthodontia coverage (effective the 1st of the month following your start date) + Vision – Voluntary plan that covers full vision care services and discounts on LASIK eye surgery (effective the 1st of the month following your start date) + Retirement Saving Programs – Supplement your pension plan with voluntary retirement programs such as the PERAPlus 401(k) and MissionSquare’s Roth IRA and 457 plans + Disability Coverage – Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance available for purchase (effective the 1st of the month following your start date) + Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Makes the going a little easier by aiding with mental health, stress management, work-life balance, financial and legal matters, and much more + Long-Term Care Insurance (LTC) – Whether it's due to an accident or a serious illness, LTC insurance is available for purchase to help you and your loved ones (effective the 1st of the month following your start date) + Life Insurance – Company-paid life insurance and supplemental coverage available (effective the 1st of the month following your start date) **_ATTENTION_** **_:_** + _All positions will be posted for a minimum of 5 calendar days._ + _Starting pay will be determined within the posted pay range based on the experience, education, and training of the successful candidate; if there is a single pay rate posted, the job starts at that rate._ + _Colorado Springs Utilities does not sponsor work visas of any kind (including but not limited to H-1B, TN, or F-1 student visas with an OPT extension)._ **_Eligible applicants must be authorized to work in the United States._** **Colorado Springs Utilities is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.** Our differences make us richer. Learning and growing from one another makes us more than what we were. We want our workforce to be as diverse as our business and recognize the limitless benefits of this commitment. Our desire is to have the organization reflect the diversity of the Pikes Peak Region. As an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, it is our commitment that no person shall be unlawfully discriminated against because of race, color, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, religious convictions, veteran status, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Affirmative Action is Colorado Springs Utilities’ effort to ensure positive steps are taken to have a representative workforce reflective of the relevant available labor force. For more information regarding applicant rights, visit https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/ofccpost.htm **Accessibility Accommodations** . If you are an individual with a disability or disabled veteran who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, you may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting us at accessibility@csu.org or by calling 719-668-7500. This option is reserved for individuals who are unable to use or require assistance with the online tools as the result of a disability and is not intended for other purposes. **E-Verify and Right to Work Notice** . Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. Colorado Springs Utilities participates in E-Verify. For more information on your rights and responsibilities as an applicant, please visit: http://coloradospringsutilities.jobs/applicants-rights-and-responsibilities/ . If you have a legal right to work in the United States, there are laws to protect you against discrimination in the workplace. You should know that no employer can deny you a job or fire you because of your national origin. Unless mandated by law or government contract, employers cannot require you to be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident or refuse any legally acceptable documents. If any of these things have happened to you, you may have a valid charge of discrimination that can be filed with the OSC. Contact the OSC for assistance in your own language. Call 1-800-255-7688. TDD for the hearing impaired is 1-800-237-2515. In the Washington, D.C., area, please call 202-616-5594, TDD 202-616-5525 Or write to: U.S. Department of Justice Office of Special Counsel NYA 950 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Washington, DC 20530. **Have a question?** If you have a question about a position or need assistance from a recruiter, email us at csurecruiting@csu.org or call 719-668-7500. Job Type: Internship