Description of Work

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.

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.

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.

Preferred Fields of Study

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

Preferred Year of Study

• Senior
• Graduate

Desired Skills

• 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

Additional Information

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.