Utility AI Interaction Designer - Co-Op II

Department: Charlotte Water Department

Salary: $27.50 - $28.19 Commensurate with Experience

Welcome to the City of Charlotte

Charlotte is America’s Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Here you will find a safe, family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive. The mission of the City of Charlotte is to deliver quality public services and promote the safety, health, and quality of life for all residents.

Our guiding principles include:

• Attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce

• Valuing teamwork, openness, accountability, productivity, and employee development

• Providing all customers with courteous, responsive, accessible, and seamless quality services

• Taking initiative to identify, analyze, and solve problems

• Collaborating with stakeholders to make informed decisions

SUMMARY

The Utility AI Interaction Designer Co-op II (Prompt Engineering) supports the design, testing, and continuous improvement of how employees interact with enterprise AI tools across Charlotte Water. Working alongside software developers, business analysts, engineers, operational subject matter experts, and technology leaders, this position helps develop prompt libraries, AI-enabled workflows, knowledge resources, and user guidance that improve productivity while promoting responsible AI adoption.

This role provides hands-on experience with Large Language Models (LLMs), prompt engineering, workflow automation, knowledge management, and human-centered AI design while helping establish Charlotte Water's emerging AI capabilities. As part of the Innovation & Technology team, the intern will contribute to foundational AI initiatives that support responsible AI adoption, workforce enablement, and operational excellence.

Students will work on real-world projects spanning engineering, field operations, water treatment, wastewater treatment, customer service, asset management, GIS, and business operations while gaining practical experience with enterprise AI technologies, digital transformation, and public-sector innovation.

This internship offers a unique opportunity to help shape the future of enterprise AI within a public utility, contributing to foundational capabilities that will influence how AI is adopted across Charlotte Water for years to come.

This paid Co-op II position will last up to 12 months and works full time (40/hr. week) and is eligible for City benefits.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

--Prompt Engineering & AI Interaction Design

• Design, test, and refine prompts for enterprise AI assistants and generative AI platforms.

• Develop reusable prompt templates supporting utility business processes.

• Evaluate AI responses for accuracy, consistency, clarity, and usefulness.

• Document prompt engineering best practices and maintain a centralized prompt library.

• Assist in developing AI interaction standards that promote safe, responsible, and effective AI use.

--Knowledge Management & Content Development

• Convert policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), manuals, and business documentation into AI-ready knowledge resources.

• Organize and structure information to improve AI search, retrieval, and response quality.

• Develop knowledge articles, FAQs, job aids, and reference materials for AI applications.

• Identify knowledge gaps that impact AI performance and recommend improvements.

--AI Testing, Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Perform structured testing of enterprise AI solutions using defined evaluation criteria.

• Compare AI outputs across different prompting approaches and recommend improvements.

• Assist with user acceptance testing during AI pilot projects.

• Document testing results, lessons learned, and recommended enhancements.

• Support measurement of AI quality, consistency, usability, and adoption metrics.

--Business Process Improvement

• Observe current utility workflows and identify opportunities where AI can improve efficiency, decision-making, or reduce manual effort.

• Assist in documenting current and future-state business processes.

• Participate in AI solution design sessions with business stakeholders.

• Support development of AI-enabled workflow recommendations.

--Workforce Enablement & Adoption

• Develop quick-reference guides, training materials, demonstrations, and user documentation for enterprise AI tools.

• Assist with workshops introducing employees to approved AI capabilities.

• Gather employee feedback and recommend usability improvements.

• Support responsible AI adoption through clear communications and user guidance.

--Research & Innovation

• Research emerging AI technologies, prompting techniques, agentic AI capabilities, and enterprise productivity tools.

• Evaluate new AI capabilities and summarize potential business value for Charlotte Water.

• Stay informed on trends in Generative AI, prompt engineering, AI governance, knowledge management, and human-centered AI design.

• Present research findings and recommendations to project teams and leadership.

--Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with software developers, engineers, GIS professionals, analysts, operational staff, and business stakeholders.

• Participate in AI innovation initiatives, proof-of-concepts, and pilot projects.

• Support project documentation and project deliverables.

• Perform related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative AI concepts.

• Prompt engineering principles.

• Responsible AI concepts and ethical AI practices.

• Knowledge management and information organization.

• Human-centered design principles.

• Business process improvement methodologies.

• Microsoft 365 productivity tools.

• Basic data analytics and visualization concepts.

Skill in:

• Technical writing and documentation.

• Prompt development and AI interaction design.

• Research and analytical thinking.

• Critical thinking and problem solving.

• Business process mapping.

• Collaboration and teamwork.

• Presentation development.

• Verbal and written communication.

• Learning new technologies quickly.

Ability to:

• Learn and apply emerging AI technologies.

• Evaluate AI-generated responses objectively and recommend improvements.

• Translate technical concepts into user-friendly guidance.

• Organize complex information into structured, reusable formats.

• Communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences.

• Work independently while contributing to collaborative projects.

• Prioritize multiple assignments and meet deadlines.

• Adapt to evolving technologies and changing business priorities.

• Maintain confidentiality and professional standards.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Coursework in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Human-Computer Interaction, Data Science, Knowledge Management, or related disciplines.

• Experience using ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Claude, Gemini, or similar enterprise AI tools.

• Experience creating technical documentation, training materials, or knowledge articles.

• Familiarity with workflow mapping or business process analysis.

• Exposure to Python, SQL, Power BI, SharePoint, GitHub, Microsoft Power Platform, or Azure AI services.

• Interest in utilities, critical infrastructure, GIS, asset management, SCADA, IoT, digital twins, or digital transformation initiatives.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s or graduate degree from an accredited college or university in one or more of the following disciplines:

• Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Information Science, Business Analytics, Industrial Engineering, Engineering, Geographic Information, Systems (GIS), Technical Communication, Public Administration, Cognitive Science, Or a closely related field

Required Experience

• Demonstrated attention in Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, data analytics, digital transformation, or emerging technologies through coursework, research, personal projects, internships, or extracurricular activities.

Required Licenses or Certifications

• None.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position is primarily performed in an office environment and is generally sedentary. The incumbent may occasionally visit operational facilities, treatment plants, or field locations to better understand utility business processes and support AI initiatives. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.

Our culture is to serve the community honorably.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email [email protected]

The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.

BENEEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.