Wastewater Collections Intern

Description

As a Wastewater Collections Intern, you'll gain hands-on experience maintaining the infrastructure that protects public health and the environment. Working alongside experienced wastewater professionals, you'll learn how collection systems use specialized equipment, software, and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems to support daily operations, maintain system reliability, and protect local waterways.

This internship provides a foundation in wastewater collections, preventive and reactive maintenance, asset management, system monitoring, environmental compliance, and public utilities. Whether you're exploring a future career in environmental science, biology, chemistry, public works, or a skilled trade, you'll build real-world experience while contributing to services that support the entire community.

Offered in partnership with Fort Lewis College, this educational internship is available to students who have successfully completed the Spring 2026 Fundamentals of Water Operations training program. This educational internship pays $20/hour for up to 100 total hours and must be completed by July 31, 2026.

City of Durango’s Trail to Excellence

The City of Durango is a purpose-driven organization with more than 400 full-time and 300 part-time and seasonal employees across 15 departments, all working together to provide a wide range of services that keep our community running every day. From public safety and utilities to parks and recreation, our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality services that enhance the lives of all who live, work, and visit here.

At the city, we focus on continually improving how we work and serve the community. This effort is called the Trail to Excellence (T2E), and every employee plays a part in it. Whether you work outdoors, in an office, or lead a team, your daily efforts connect to the city’s mission of providing excellent service and reaching the city’s vision of being a multigenerational community that is authentic, diverse, engaged, thriving, and environmentally responsible. The full details of this vision are outlined in the city’s strategic plan .

As a member of our team, your work will be meaningful because:

• Your ideas help shape citywide improvements.
• The work you do ties directly into measurable goals.
• You'll be part of a system that values collaboration, innovation, and results.
  
  

We're looking for team members who share our core values of teamwork, dependability, professionalism, service, respect, innovation, and wellbeing — and who are excited to make a difference in the community we serve.

Essential Job Duties

What You’ll Do in This Role:

• Assist operators with preventive and reactive maintenance activities, including cleaning and televising sewer lines, manholes, catch basins, and wet wells using high-velocity hydrovac equipment.
• Support collection system asset management activities and documentation.
• Perform closed-circuit television (CCTV) inspections using remote-controlled cameras to assess the condition of underground pipes.
• Assist with collection system infrastructure repairs, including excavation, patch repairs, pipe replacement, and manhole repairs.
• Assist with locating City wastewater collection infrastructure.
• Support emergency response efforts and troubleshoot sanitary sewer overflows, pipe breaks, and system failures during scheduled work hours.
• Monitor collection system operations and help identify potential issues before they arise.
• Inspect pumps, valves, pipes, and other equipment to verify proper operation.
• Use equipment, hand tools, and basic computer systems as part of daily work.
• Help maintain buildings, grounds, and site landscaping.
• Perform janitorial and general maintenance tasks that support a clean and safe work environment.
• Work alongside wastewater collections staff on a variety of operational and maintenance projects.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

You Have:

• Successfully completed the Spring 2026 Fundamentals of Water Operations training program.
• An interest in learning about wastewater collections and water distribution operations and maintenance.
• The ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Basic computer skills and a willingness to learn new software and equipment.
• The ability to perform physical work, including lifting, carrying, walking, and working outdoors in varying weather conditions.
  
  

Role

You Will Succeed in This Role If You:

• Enjoy learning through hands-on experience and a variety of maintenance activities.
• Pay attention to details when collecting data and completing tasks.
• Work well as part of a team and communicate respectfully with others.
• Take initiative and are willing to help with a variety of assignments.
• Are comfortable working both indoors and outdoors.
  
  

Supplemental Information

What We Can Offer You: The following perks are available for part-time and seasonal employees.

• Free pass to the Durango Community Recreation Center and Chapman Hill Ice Rink and Ski Area
• Free Transit pass
• Eligibility to participate in the City’s Annual Wellness Challenge and a chance to receive prizes and cash rewards
  
  

View the full Water Collections/Distribution Intern Intern job description here.

Belong At The City Of Durango

We believe in creating an inclusive workforce that welcomes diversity of thoughts, viewpoints, and experiences.

The City of Durango is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis age 40 and over, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other applicable status protected by state or local law. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors.

City of Durango's Indigenous Land Acknowledgement