Contracted Student Interns - Coastal Decision Support Fellow Fall 2026 (UNPAID)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Falmouth, MA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is seeking applicants for a Coastal Decision Support Fellow (Contracted Student Interns Unpaid) for the Fall 2026 semester. This internship is unpaid and designed to support students or recent graduates seeking practical experience in the field. Interns may be eligible to earn academic credit through their college or university. The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) aims to protect, preserve, and enhance Massachusetts’ environmental resources and foster a clean energy future. DCR manages nearly half a million acres of land, focusing on the connection between people and the environment through its natural, cultural, and recreational resources.

Requirements

• Must be a student or recent graduate seeking practical experience.
• Ability to earn academic credit through college or university may be required.
• Experience with Microsoft Windows and Office software, particularly Word and Excel.
• Clarity and consistency in communication.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with GIS, particularly ArcGIS.
• Coursework in environmental studies, planning, and/or botany, ecology, or wildlife.
• An interest in nature and the environment and its protection, conservation, and sustainable management.
• Willingness to participate in some light fieldwork.

Responsibilities

• Use artificial intelligence to uncover the issues shaping conservation decisions across Massachusetts communities.
• Use AI and natural language processing tools to review Conservation Commission and Natural Resource Board meeting minutes, identify recurring topics and emerging issues, and track how those issues progress over time (e.g., approvals, denials, continued discussions, or project outcomes).
• Analyze Conservation Commission and Natural Resource Board meeting minutes from Massachusetts communities using AI and natural language processing tools.
• Develop a framework to identify and categorize recurring topics, emerging issues, and decision-making trends across meetings.
• Track the progression and outcomes of key topics over time to understand their "fate" (e.g., approved, denied, modified, continued, or withdrawn).
• Summarize findings through reports, visualizations, and dashboards that highlight statewide and regional patterns.
• Collaborate with the Training & Engagement Program to translate findings into a needs assessment that informs future trainings, technical assistance, and engagement initiatives.
• Document AI workflows, prompts, and methodologies to create a repeatable process for future analyses.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits
• Outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package.
• Work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed