Cogen Summer Intern

POSITION TITLE: Cogen Summer Intern (Hourly) REQUISITION #: req8325 DEPARTMENT: Utilities Customer Connections LOCATION: 222 LAPORTE, some remote work possible BENEFIT CATEGORY: Variable Hourly EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Part-Time Hourly FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt HOURLY RATE: $25.00 per hour (based on relevant experience) DURATION OF INTERNSHIP & Hours: 10 weeks, late May 2026 - August 2026. Full-time, 40 hours/week. SELECTION PROCESS: This internship is a partnership agreement between CSU Energy Institute and the City of Fort Collins. Interested and eligible applicants must submit an application via CSU Handshake: https://career.colostate.edu/resources/handshake-csu-career-center/. Post-offer background check required. (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position) While the City of Fort Collins offers many remote and/or hybrid positions, all remote or hybrid work must be performed in the state of Colorado. At the City, we are focused on finding the strongest candidate for the role, and we recognize that excellence can come from a wide variety of experiences and paths. When reviewing applications, we consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and lived experiences that align with the minimum qualifications. If you are interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to view your background broadly and highlight the skills and experiences that best prepare you for the role. Big Idea As climate change threatens to make water supplies less reliable, communities must manage every step of the water cycle more carefully than ever before. Wastewater treatment—often invisible to the public—is a critical part of protecting water quality, public health, and long-term water resilience. This internship is a chance to help tell that story. About the Internship The City of Fort Collins Utilities is seeking a motivated and curious summer Cogen Fellow to research, design, and help launch a communications and marketing (C&M) approach for upcoming capital improvement projects at the Drake Water Reclamation Facility (DWRF). These projects are essential to improving water treatment performance, increasing energy efficiency, and protecting downstream water quality. Hosted by the Public Engagement and Communications & Marketing teams, this internship blends research, storytelling, stakeholder engagement, and hands-on public education. The intern will work closely with Utilities staff, engineers, scientists, and educators—and help translate complex water topics into clear, compelling messages for the public. What You’ll Do Research & Discovery • Conduct focus groups to understand what community members and ratepayers know (and don’t know) about wastewater treatment • Collaborate with staff at the Drake Water Reclamation Facility to understand the need for treatment upgrades and plant energy-efficiency improvements • Meet with the Utilities Capital Projects team to learn the scope, timing, and purpose of upcoming infrastructure investments • Visit downstream neighbors (such as Greeley or other regional partners) to understand how water quality decisions affect communities beyond Fort Collins • Facilitate discussions with Fort Collins Natural Resources and the Colorado Department of Natural Resources to explore the ecological importance of wastewater treatment to riparian areas and local plants and animals • Work with One Water Planning and Utilities Sciences staff to understand water supply, demand, treatment volumes, and cost considerations Outreach & Education • Support water conservation and water quality protection messaging at local events such as EcoFest (early June). • Collaborate with the Public Engagement team to design and deliver water quality education for students in local summer programs • Translate technical information into accessible, engaging content for diverse audiences Deliverables By the end of the summer, the Cogen Fellow will produce: • A research findings summary outlining public understanding, misconceptions, and communications needs related to upcoming DWRF upgrades and potential rate increases • A Communications & Marketing plan outline, including: • Key messages and narratives • Target audiences • Recommended outreach channels • A proposed timeline • Early prototype designs and sample messaging These deliverables will directly inform real City projects and public decision-making. City Competencies • Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds. • Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends. • A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations. • A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork. Who Should Apply This internship is a great fit for students interested in: • Natural resources, water, environmental science, or sustainability • Communications, marketing, journalism, education, or public policy • Climate adaptation, infrastructure, and community engagement • Impact MBA Desired skills and qualities include: • Strong written and verbal communication skills • Curiosity and comfort asking questions • Ability to synthesize information from multiple sources • Interest in environmental or public-sector work • Strong research and data visualization skills • Experience with education and outreach is a plus Why This Internship Matters You won’t just observe—you’ll contribute. Your work will help shape how the community understands wastewater treatment, water quality protection, and the investments needed to build a resilient water future. You’ll leave with tangible work products, professional connections, and a deeper understanding of how cities manage water in a changing climate. The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance. Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use: Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy. The City is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Employment decisions will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. The City does not tolerate behavior that results in the terms and conditions of employment being adversely impacted based on an employee’s protected status, or any behavior that violates this policy. Consistent with the City’s respect for the rights and dignity of each employee, the City is committed to providing a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran status or uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or any other status protected under federal, state or local law. The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. In addition to the City’s commitment to equal opportunity employment, the City strictly prohibits discrimination or retaliation against an employee who raises any reasonable concern about workplace violations of government health or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of City employees or the public, if the City controls the workplace conditions giving rise to the threat or violation. POST OFFER BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIRED. (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position) Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.