Environmental Water Quality Assurance and Microbiology Internship

Job Type: Internship

Pay Range $22.33 to $29.49

Location Colorado Springs, CO

Date First Posted 2/24/26

Applications are being accepted through: 3/3/26

*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.

Environmental Water Quality Assurance and Microbiology Internship

Colorado Springs Utilities is excited to announce a summer internship position in the Water Quality Assurance Group. This internship provides the candidate an opportunity to apply environmental stewardship and public service skills in a kinetic outdoors environment where scientific principles meet real world applications. This position is ideal for recent college graduates who are looking for the opportunity to apply their knowledge and developing skillset to the requirements of regulatory driven work.

The chosen applicant will have learning opportunities and experience in the following areas:

• Collection of potable water, wastewater, and raw water samples, and obtaining water quality parameters in the field, proper transportation requirements, sample remittance following chain of custody rules

• Surveillance of potentially pathogenic organisms in drinking water and wastewater

• Fundamental lab procedures in microbiology to support the Total Coliform Rule as well as analytical processes in the field: maintaining equipment and following procedures to ensure compliance driven data integrity

• Environmental ecological principles and how they relate to water quality

• Understanding water and wastewater permitting, compliance, and reporting

• Collaboration with group in responding to water quality issues in the potable system

• Training and maintenance of continuous water chemistry monitors that track the health of overall system

• Opportunity to initiate/collaborate with a research or investigative project regarding source water and/or potable water

• Working in a collaborative laboratory environment to understand how laboratory and non-laboratory processes contribute to the shared goals of the organization

Upon completion of the internship, the selected applicant will have gained knowledge and experience in the application of scientific principles and environmental stewardship with real world public service where methodological skills are not confined to a lab but integrated into the activities of other groups and the community at large. They will also be informed about where Colorado Springs gets its water, how it is treated to state and federal standards, the importance of efficient water and wastewater treatment, and how the role of the laboratory supports these outcomes.

Time Allotment of Focus Areas:

• Field sampling - 60% - Water sampling, field analyses, customer collaboration

• Laboratory work - 15% - Microbiology lab work

• Other educational outcomes - 25% - Attending meetings, tours, learning about permitting and compliance, etc.

Who You Are… This position is ideal for students majoring in biology, microbiology, environmental science, chemistry, or a related field wanting to gain hands-on experience in environmental microbiology.

This is a summer into fall position that will run from late May, 2026 to late November, 2026. For those students still completing their degree, this will require full-time 40 hours per week for the duration of the summer and up to 20 hours per week during the fall and at which point the internship will end in November. For May 2026 graduates, who are eligible up to 6 months post-graduation, will work full-time 40 hours per week from late May, 2026 to late November, 2026, at which point the internship will end. This timeframe is during the height of the workload for the microbiology laboratory and the selected intern will get a full experience with workload management, sampling and processing, and analysis and reporting of sample results using our laboratory information management system (LIMS). These duty allotments will be redistributed as the workload changes, as needed.

*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) with a 2.5 GPA and be able to provide documentation if requested. Enrollment in a certification program does not qualify.

*As this position is field focused, the selected candidate will spend time out of doors, hiking/climbing/walking to remote locations and be impacted by various weather conditions

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

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• 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:

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

Be a part of a unique, customer-owned and operated four-service utility. With our rare distinction of providing four utility services – natural gas, electricity, water, and wastewater treatment – we offer a varied, fast-paced work culture teeming with potential.

Colorado Springs Utilities infuses corporate responsibility and safety into daily business operations with the foundation of decision-making focused on our community owners, employees, and environment. As an employee, you will have an opportunity to contribute ideas and solutions in an engaging, dynamic team environment.

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

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 H-1B, TN, or F-1 student visas (with or without OPT or STEM work authorization), or any other employment-based visas. All eligible applicants must be authorized to work in the United States and work authorization must not be based on any work visa.

Colorado Springs Utilities is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Colorado Springs Utilities is committed to the principles of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity in accord with Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act, 38 U.S.C. § 4212, as amended (VEVRAA), and § 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (§ 503). In addition, no person shall be unlawfully discriminated against because of race, color, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation), age, religion, veteran status, disability, genetic information, marital status, or any other basis protected under state or federal law. Human Resources shall assure Colorado Springs Utilities’ benefits, classification, compensation, employee development, employee relations, and employment programs, conform to current legal and regulatory requirements and the provisions of Colorado Springs Utilities’ Affirmative Action Plan in accordance with VEVRAA and § 503.

Accessibility Accommodations . If you are an individual with a disability or a 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: . 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