UTILITIES WATER CONSERVATION INTERN (PART-TIME)
$18.00 per hour
Open only to current CMU or CMU Tech students
About the Position:
The Utilities Water Conservation Intern will actively participate in the assessment, auditing, and management of water usage within the City of Grand Junction on Residential, Commercial, Industrial and Institutional properties. The primary focus will be on enhancing water conservation practices, optimizing irrigation systems, creating water budgets and promoting efficient water management strategies. This position will also assist the Water Conservationist with educational and Marketing events to enhance this and other Utilities Water Conservation programs.
Responsibilities include comprehensive field data collection, assessing efficient water use, generating customer reports on sprinkler systems, and water budgeting, to assist clients with properly watering their landscape.
Additionally, this internship will learn about indoor and outdoor water saving rebates, Garden in a box and other water conservation programs. Events can include assisting the Water Conservationist with public presentations, Arbor Day booth, Farmer's Market and the Children's Water Festival.
About the City of Grand Junction Water Services Division:
The City of Grand Junction Water Department provides drinking water for about 30,000 customers. Our customers enjoy being the first users of pristine snowmelt off the Grand Mesa, which is diverted out of Kannah Creek and into Juniata Reservoir before being piped 20 miles to the Water Treatment Plant. The Water Department has a staff of 32 employees working together in areas such as Pipeline Maintenance, Water Treatment, Water Supply, Customer Service, and Environmental Laboratory Services in order to provide excellent service to our customers. Our employees are responsible for monitoring and maintaining over 300 miles of pipe, 2 water treatment plants, 10,000 taps, and 86 square miles of watershed.
About Our Culture:
At the City of Grand Junction, we lead the way with continuous improvement, collaborative partnerships, and exemplary service. Our core values are demonstrated by our willingness to challenge the status quo, ability to work together using all areas of expertise to achieve a common goal, and commitment to fulfilling the needs of our community through thoughtful interactions.
What You'll Do:
- Collect field data including soil moisture depth, total precipitation rate of our sprinklers and comparing them to evapo-transpiration rates during the season to drive efficient watering practices.
- Perform Irrigation Audits on irrigation systems as directed by QWEL- Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper guidelines and the Water Conservationist.
- Promote Water Conservation Programs
- Update spreadsheets to create water budgets and to track water savings of all water conservation efforts.
- Compare water use to the water budget to identify possible savings, create a report to share with clients.
- Help update water conservation materials and distribute to water service area clients.
- Attend DRIP- Drought Response Information Project meetings and assist with events such as providing water at Fair, assisting with Children's Water Festival, and other educational events.
Who We're Looking For:
- Candidate must have the ability to work independently and with Water Conservationist and able to learn new computer software.
- Applicants must be able to successfully pass a drug screen, background check, and, if required for the specific position, a physical examination.
- Must be a current student at Colorado Mesa University enrolled in an Environmental Science, Biological Science, Watershed Science, or Geographic Information Science program; OR a CMU Tech student, enrolled in an associate degree or certificate program for Agriculture Science or Sustainable Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, or other related fields is preferred.
- Ability to lift 20 lbs. and set up event tent and table.
- Some knowledge of irrigation is helpful. Interest in water conservation preferred. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Colorado driver’s license.
Notice to Applicants:
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, we kindly request that you do not include the dates of your education to include years of attendance or graduation on your application, resume, or attachments.
About the Area:
Grand Junction, Colorado is the gateway to the mountains and canyonlands of western Colorado and eastern Utah. Centrally located between Denver, CO (250 miles east) and Salt Lake City, UT (270 miles west), Grand Junction is surrounded by 1.2 million acres of public land. Residents enjoy world-class whitewater rafting on the Colorado and Green Rivers, golfing, fishing, skiing and snowboarding, and exploring mountain bike and hiking trails through the Colorado National Monument and the Grand Mesa National Forest. Grand Junction has a robust downtown and hosts multiple art, music, food, and market events annually. With a population of over 150,000 in Mesa County (65,000 within the City limits) we have many of the big town amenities without the big town stresses such as traffic and trail congestion. With an average of 245 days of sunshine, Grand Junction is the perfect place to work and play.
Learn more about our area Visit Grand Junction 's website and Instagram !
At the City of Grand Junction, we proudly operate as an Equal Opportunity Employer, purposely building an inclusive workforce representative of various cultures, perspectives, and experiences. We believe in respect for all and do not discriminate based on hair, race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
If you have any questions or need assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please contact our Human Resources office at 970.244.1512.
