Water Conservation Specialist
Water Conservation SpecialistJob Type: Environmental/LaboratoryPay Range $79,000 to $91,450Location Colorado Springs, CODate First Posted 12/19/24Applications are being accepted through: 12/30/24If 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.Water Conservation SpecialistColorado Springs Utilities is looking for a passionate irrigation and landscape professional with deep experience in landscape design, installation and maintenance, and a successful background in program administration and a focus on resilient landscapes, and customer engagement. The position will be responsible for supporting programs and following careful processes to ensure their success. These programs support the organization’s conservation and demand-side management goals.In this position, you will be responsible for:
Perform commercial and residential irrigation audits designed to educate customers and engage them in further program offerings
Support and drive results for our commercial and residential irrigation equipment rebates and incentive programs
Work closely with our garden manager to maintain and promote Colorado Springs Utilities’ Water Wise Demonstration Gardens
Support multiple landscape education and conservation programs that are responsible for gaining valuable savings from outdoor water use per our Water Efficiency Plan
Plan and coordinate events and seminars and develop curriculum/teach classes as directed
Support the ongoing maintenance and content for landscape fact sheets and other content and program materials.
Establish and/or improve processes to administer our many landscape programs, both online, in person and in the field
Help lead the discussion about healthy, water wise landscape practices in our community, particularly as they relate to irrigation, and spread a real passion for this work and deep trust in the work of Colorado Springs Utilities
Support the initiative to lead our customers towards resilient landscapes that thrive on one day a week watering
As the Water Conservation Specialist, in Department you will:
Have a deep knowledge and experience of landscape irrigation design, install, maintenance and the most efficient equipment and tools
Understand conservation principles and water efficiency concepts
Understand marketing, advertising and public outreach concepts and methods
Mastery of customer service principles and practices
Provide horticulture, landscape and irrigation expertise/knowledge to customers
Manage multiple projects
Develop and manage important relationships with customers, volunteers and stakeholders
Use Microsoft Suite and Microsoft Apps (power automate, forms, lists, etc.) to manage a very challenging work load and automate as many work processes as possible; these tools also are critical to complete tasks, track participation and perform water-saving analyses
Communicate through a variety of methods.
Develop technical reports that include water audits and irrigation maintenance scopes of work
A valid, unrestricted driver's license is requiredWho You Are The ideal candidate will come with a Bachelor's degree in Horticulture and/or Landscape Design (commensurate, successful experience in the water conservation field may be substituted for same) with three or more years of directly-related experience, preferably in the utilities industry.Why should you apply? If you have demonstrated experience in landscape irrigation, horticulture, and customer outreach, and have supported such programs using water efficiency best practices, and are familiar with the principals of landscape design and irrigation, we want to hear from you! This position will provide you the opportunity to work with a wide variety of customers and to learn and execute exceptional water efficiency projects and assignments.Who We Are We are a diverse team of professionals who take pride in delivering exceptional service to our community through new and innovative technologies. With just under 2000 employees and 6 divisions, Colorado Springs Utilities provides horizontal and vertical growth opportunities for our enterprising employees.Nestled at the base of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs is the perfect blend of mountain and city living. Colorado Springs boasts breathtaking scenery, abundant recreation activities, and diverse populations. With the race to meet Colorado’s water supply gap, this is an opportunity to participate in solution-based, innovative actions with one of the largest municipal water providers in the state.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 do not 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 – Because everybody needs time off to recharge
Vacation – New employees accrue 13 days of paid time off to start, while our more tenured employees accrue 24 days per year
Personal Leave –3 days per year of personal leave
Paid Holidays –12 paid holidays per year
Sick Leave – Accrue 12 days of sick leave annually for those days when you or a family member is feeling under the weather
Vacation Buy – Purchase up to 40 hours of additional vacation time
Pension Plan – Looking forward to a comfortable lifestyle once you’re done working? The Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) provides you with retirement benefits and peace of mind when you retire
Medical – Select from three comprehensive medical plans, starting at $0 per month. Employees also enjoy access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA). (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
Wellness Program – Voluntary wellness program that allows you and your spouse to each earn up to $500 to use towards healthcare expenses, $100 in Visa gift cards, and up to $400 in gym membership reimbursements
Dental – Select from two dental plans, with in-network PPO preventive care covered at 100% and access to orthodontia coverage (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
Vision – Voluntary plan that covers full vision care services and discounts on LASIK eye surgery (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
Retirement Saving Programs – Supplement your pension plan with voluntary retirement programs such as the PERAPlus 401(k) and MissionSquare’s Roth IRA and 457 plans
Disability Coverage – Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance available for purchase (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Makes the going a little easier by aiding with mental health, stress management, work-life balance, financial and legal matters, and much more
Long-Term Care Insurance (LTC) – Whether it's due to an accident or a serious illness, LTC insurance is available for purchase to help you and your loved ones (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
Life Insurance – Company-paid life insurance and supplemental coverage available (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
Tuition Reimbursement – Employees are eligible to receive up to $5,250 annually for Tuition Reimbursement
Qualifying Public Service Employer – Payments made towards student loans may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
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 but not limited to F-1, H-1B, or TN visas with a STEM OPT extension). Eligible applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.
Colorado Springs Utilities is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Our differences make us richer. Learning and growing from one another makes us more than what we were. We want our workforce to be as diverse as our business and recognize the limitless benefits of this commitment. Our desire is to have the organization reflect the diversity of the Pikes Peak Region. As an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, it is our commitment that no person shall be unlawfully discriminated against because of race, color, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, religious convictions, veteran status, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Affirmative Action is Colorado Springs Utilities’ effort to ensure positive steps are taken to have a representative workforce reflective of the relevant available labor force.For more information regarding applicant rights, visit https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/ofccpost.htmAccessibility Accommodations . If you are an individual with a disability or 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: http://coloradospringsutilities.jobs/applicants-rights-and-responsibilities/ . 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: Environmental/Laboratory