Natalie Monacelli is the Manager of the City and County of Broomfield’s Environmental Lab. She has a M.S in Environmental Biology and over ten years of experience working in water quality laboratories. Outside of the lab she enjoys spending time with her two huskies, reading, climbing and snowboarding.
Last August, I shared the City and County of Broomfield (CCOB) Water Utility Department’s plan to participate in the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment's (CDLE) Teacher Externship Program. The intent of this program was to strengthen workforce development by introducing local educators, and ultimately their students, to careers in the water industry. At the time, my vision was to provide teachers with hands-on experiences they could bring back to the classroom while building lasting partnerships that extended beyond the externship itself. One year later, I'm excited to share that we've turned that vision into reality!
This summer, our Water Utility Department welcomed its first teacher extern for a two-week immersive experience across the department. Working alongside employees from Water Resources, the Water Treatment Plant, Environmental Laboratory, Distribution and Collection, Stormwater, Water Reclamation, Wastewater Laboratory, and Automation and Maintenance, our extern gained firsthand insight into the people, technology, and science behind providing safe, reliable water and wastewater services. Beyond learning the technical aspects of each division, the experience highlighted the wide range of rewarding career opportunities available within a water utility.
One of the most rewarding outcomes was seeing the enthusiasm from both our extern and CCOB staff. Our extern left with a deeper appreciation for the essential work performed by Water Utilities and countless real-world examples to bring back to the classroom. At the same time, our employees enjoyed sharing their expertise, discussing their career paths, and highlighting the many ways their work supports the community.
Perhaps the most important goal I outlined in last year's article was ensuring the externship wouldn't end after two weeks, and it hasn't. The Water Utility Department and our extern plan to continue working together by coordinating classroom presentations and facility tours and field trips, and by providing opportunities for students to connect with staff mentors. These ongoing partnerships will reinforce STEM concepts through real-world applications while giving students a firsthand look at careers they may have never considered.
The success of our first Teacher Externship Program reinforced that workforce development isn't achieved through a single event; it grows through lasting relationships, meaningful outreach, and continued engagement with educators and students.
If your utility is looking for a practical way to strengthen community outreach, build its future workforce, and inspire the next generation of water professionals, I highly encourage you to explore the CDLE Teacher Externship Program. The process of becoming a host organization is straightforward and CDLE provides the guidance and resources to help develop an externship tailored to your department.
You can learn more by visiting the CDLE Teacher Externship Program website: https://cdle.colorado.gov/jobs-training/teacher-externship-program
