City of Fort Collins · 2 days ago
Cogen Summer Intern
Fort Collins, CO
Internship
Hybrid
Intern
$25/hr - $25/hrThe City of Fort Collins is seeking a motivated and curious summer Cogen Fellow to research, design, and help launch a communications and marketing approach for upcoming capital improvement projects at the Drake Water Reclamation Facility. This internship blends research, storytelling, stakeholder engagement, and hands-on public education to enhance community understanding of wastewater treatment and water quality protection.
GovernmentNon ProfitTourism
Responsibilities
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
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
Produce a research findings summary outlining public understanding, misconceptions, and communications needs related to upcoming DWRF upgrades and potential rate increases
Create a Communications & Marketing plan outline, including key messages and narratives, target audiences, recommended outreach channels, a proposed timeline, and early prototype designs and sample messaging
Qualification
Required
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
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
Preferred
Experience with education and outreach is a plus
Company
City of Fort Collins
City of Fort Collins is a government website that provides information about the city.
Founded in 1864
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$0.5MKey Investors
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
2023-10-23Grant· $0.5M
Leadership Team
Carolyn Koontz
EA to the CFO, City of Fort Collins
M. Travis Storin, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Recent News
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