Water Conservation Specialist

Colorado Springs Utilities is looking for a passionate irrigation and landscape professional with deep experience in irrigation & landscape design, installation and maintenance, and a successful background in program administration and a focus on resilient landscapes, and customer engagement; with irrigation design expertise being a critical component of this role. 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 required

Who 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