WPP Water Quality Program Intern (UNPAID)
About The Position
The Watershed Planning Program (WPP) in the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) works to protect, enhance, and restore the quality and value of the waters of the Commonwealth. WPP collects scientific data from Massachusetts surface waters to support water-quality management objectives under the federal Clean Water Act. The program uses these data and information from partners to develop water-quality criteria, assess and report on surface-water conditions, prioritize waters for restoration, track trends, and evaluate restoration and protection efforts. The intern will support the WPP Bathymetry project, which consolidates existing digital bathymetric data and conducts surveys of lakes, impoundments, and major rivers where data are unavailable. Project data support lake classification metrics, Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) development, targeted assessment monitoring, and publicly available bathymetric maps. This is an unpaid student internship intended to provide practical experience; 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 a 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 by telephone, in person, and in writing.
- Willingness to learn how to trailer and launch small boats at informal launches for data collection.
- Willingness to learn how to take bathymetric measurements.
- Comfort working around water.
Responsibilities
- Research and gather existing digital bathymetry data.
- Review geospatial information and previous studies or reports.
- Conduct desktop reconnaissance of target waterbodies and summarize lake characteristics, ownership or 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.
Benefits
- Interns may be eligible to earn academic credit through their college or university.
- The Commonwealth offers an employee benefits and rewards package.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
No Education Listed
