Watershed Planning Program (Water Quality Monitoring Section) Intern (Unpaid Internship)

Job Description

Who We Are:

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) seeks to protect, preserve, and enhance Massachusetts' environmental resources and create a clean energy future for all residents. Through the stewardship of open spaces, the protection of environmental resources, and the advancement of clean energy, EEA works tirelessly to make Massachusetts a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. Our commitment to environmental justice ensures that every resident, regardless of background or location, can live in a safe, clean environment and shares equally in the benefits of the clean energy transition.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is the state agency responsible for ensuring clean air, land, and water. Our work impacts every aspect of people's lives and is critical to the health and wellbeing of our residents and visitors. MassDEP is the lead agency for safe management of toxic and hazardous materials, promotion of waste reduction and recycling, preservation of the state's wetlands and coastal resources, air quality monitoring and pollution reduction, and so much more.

Who We Are as an Employer:

At EEA, we create meaningful, inclusive opportunities that empower our employees to make a real difference in shaping the environmental future of Massachusetts. We foster a workplace culture where diversity is valued, innovation is encouraged, and collaboration thrives. Our employees play a vital role in advancing sustainability, environmental justice, and clean energy solutions, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on Massachusetts and its residents.

Description:

This internship is unpaid and designed to support students or recent graduates seeking practical experience in the field. Candidates may be eligible to earn academic credit through their college or university.

The Watershed Planning Program (WPP) in the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is a statewide program with a mission to protect, enhance, and restore the quality and value of the waters of the Commonwealth. Together with other MassDEP programs and state environmental agencies, WPP shares the duty and responsibility to secure the environmental, recreational, and public health benefits of clean water for all people of the Commonwealth. WPP routinely collects scientific data from surface waters (i.e., lakes, rivers, estuaries, etc.) across Massachusetts in support of multiple water quality management objectives under the federal Clean Water Act. WPP uses these water quality data, as well as data and information from its partners, to support the development of new and revised water quality criteria in the Massachusetts Surface Water Quality Standards, assess and report on the condition of surface waters, prioritize waters for restoration, track water quality trends, and evaluate the effectiveness of restoration and protection efforts. Public digital bathymetric data have been collected for approximately 150-200 of the over 2,500 lakes and impounded waterbodies in Massachusetts.

• Research and gather existing digital bathymetry data.
• Review geospatial information, and previous studies or reports.
• Conduct desktop reconnaissance of target waterbodies to summarize lake characteristics, ownership/management organizations, and boat access points for future surveys.
• Design and maintain reconnaissance records.
• Conduct bathymetric surveys with permanent staff using boats and potentially other technologies.
• Download, manage, and track collected raw bathymetry data.

• Proficiency in the ESRI suite of ArcGIS software, or similar GIS application.
• Basic knowledge of watershed science and fundamental principles of hydrology.
• Experience gathering and formatting environmental datasets, including spatial datasets.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite software.
• Ability to work independently, and in an organized manner with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate confidently and effectively on the telephone, in person, and in writing.
• Willingness to learn how to trailer and launch small boats at informal launches for data collection efforts.
• Willingness to learn how to take bathymetric measurements.
• Comfortable working around water.
• Valid Class D driver's license.