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Conservation Garden Intern

Northern Water
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POSITION SUMMARY

Northern Water is seeking a Conservation Garden Intern to support water efficiency program services including assisting with Conservation Gardens tasks, various education and outreach tasks, and landscape and irrigation projects. This is an exciting opportunity for a student pursuing a degree in horticulture, botany, Landscape Design or Landscape Architecture. 

Northern Water is growing and we’re seeking employees who are passionately committed to helping us collect and deliver water to more than 1 million people and about 615,000 acres of irrigated farmland. Since 1937 our strong and stable reputation has attracted employees to be a part of our mission. We offer competitive pay, exceptional benefits and a workplace environment that offers great culture and collaboration. With more than 180 employees, most are based at our beautiful Berthoud, Colo. headquarters, and about 20 are based in scenic Grand County on the West Slope of the Continental Divide.   

This is an exciting time to become a part of our organization as we embark on building two of the largest water storage projects in recent United States history. We’re proud of our reputation as a leading water delivery, conservation and management organization, not only in the western United States, but across the nation. Come join our team! 

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

The Water Efficiency Department proactively promotes, supports and assesses water efficiency as an integral component of water management and long-range water supply planning. The department seeks to minimize agricultural dry-up, meet a portion of future water needs as intended in the Colorado Water Plan, increase Colorado-Big Thompson Project system resilience to drought and increased climate uncertainty, minimize structural and non-structural water development costs and support environmental conservation. Core activities include: tracking of regulatory issues; participation in water efficiency organizations and efforts; water management consultation; facilitating landscape grants and audits; offering conservation events, training and development; installation and maintenance activities in the demonstration gardens. 

GENERAL STATEMENT

This internship position is responsible for supporting water efficient program services which include, but are not limited to, assisting with garden tasks, supporting various education and outreach tasks, and other landscape and irrigation tasks as assigned.

INTERN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Supports upkeep of Northern Water’s Conservation Gardens by performing regular landscape maintenance tasks such as weeding, pruning, planting, digging, and applying mulch.
  • Assists with irrigation maintenance tasks as assigned.
  • Willingness to operate power and handheld tools such as hedge trimmer, leaf blower, pruners, edgers, mowers, soil knife and others as assigned.
  • Produce to-scale planting plans with mentor’s guidance.
  • Assists with creating and procuring signs for garden demonstrations.
  • Supports garden tours and other outreach and educational efforts of the department.
  • Supports Northern Water’s overall mission and vision.
  • Supports other water efficiency programs and duties as assigned.

INTERNSHIP BENEFITS

  • Shadowing and mentoring opportunities with practiced gardener/ landscape designer and irrigation specialist.
  • Opportunity to gain experience in a public garden setting. 
  • Experience communicating with the public about the importance of water efficient landscapes. 
  • Opportunity to learn about wide ranging topics from native plants to water supply infrastructure in Northeast Colorado. 
  • Opportunity to take training courses and attend events relevant to water efficiency industry

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

  • Preferred candidates will hold a minimum of 9 credit hours in horticulture, botany, Landscape Design or Landscape Architecture.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

  • Basic knowledge of trees, shrubs, and perennials.
  • Basic understanding of the complex climate conditions that Colorado landscapes face (i.e. wind drought, cold).
  • Strong written and verbal skills preferred.
  • Experience with Auto CAD preferred but not required. 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

  • Maintains a personal appearance appropriate for job position and image of Northern Water.
  • Ability to commit to the agreed upon work schedule. Which may include some evenings and weekends.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Work outdoors in various weather conditions including heat, wind and cold. 
  • Requires sustained periods of standing, kneeling, bending, and squatting.
  • Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds.
  • Performs work safely and protects Northern Water’s property and personnel.
  • Must be able to meet the physical requirements of a post job offer physical examination.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. 

Northern Water provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetics, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics. Northern Water complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Northern Water also prohibits any form of workplace harassment in accordance with these laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.