Watershed Planning Program (Water Quality Monitoring Section) Intern - UNPAID

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Worcester, MA

8h

About The Position

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 in 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. Every year at least thirty (30) cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) are reported in Massachusetts, which has implications for both human and ecosystem health. The WPP cyanoHABs project is designed to conduct monitoring at impacted waterbodies in Massachusetts to support health status evaluations for surface waters through quantitative cyanobacteria data (cell counts and cyanotoxin concentrations). Collecting cyanoHABs data is also important to support surface water quality standards development and implementation.

Requirements

• Minimum Requirements: NONE
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in the ESRI suite of ArcGIS software, or similar GIS application.
• Basic knowledge of watershed science and fundamental principles of limnology and hydrology.
• 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.
• Willing to learn how to identify and enumerate cyanobacteria species using microscopy.
• Willing to learn how to collect cyanoHABs samples from shore and from a boat.
• Comfortable working around water.
• Valid Class D driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Track occurrences of cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms throughout the state.
• Conduct desktop reconnaissance of impacted waterbodies to summarize lake characteristics, ownership/management organizations, and access points to conduct monitoring surveys.
• Collect cyanoHABs samples at impacted waterbodies.
• Identify and enumerate cyanobacterial species using microscopy, and ship samples to EPA laboratory for toxins analysis.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits
• When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package.
• We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
• Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees