WPP Nonpoint Source Management Section Intern (Unpaid)

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 toxics 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.

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.

Job Description:

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’s Nonpoint Source (NPS) Management Section coordinates the restoration of waters impaired by NPS pollution and the protection of healthy waters by developing and implementing the Massachusetts NPS Management Plan, which is a five-year planning document. To implement the NPS Management Plan, the NPS Management Section manages two federally funded grant programs related to water quality: the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 604(b) Water Quality Management Planning Grant and the CWA Section 319 NPS Implementation Grant.

WPP seeks an intern to support the goals of the NPS Management Section and the delivery of high-quality programs and technical support to applicants and grantees.

Job Duties:

• Support the development of a web-based tool to replace the Clean Water Toolkit, a database of NPS management practices for water quality practitioners.
• Support the development of a GIS-based tool to identify potential grant projects for EPA Success Stories.
• Support the development of an NPS grant project Success Story for submittal to EPA.
• Maintain and update the NPS Management Section statewide grant project database.
• Maintain and update the CWA s.604(b) and s.319 grant databases and GIS data layers.
• Support the NPS Management Partnership Initiative.
• Support the planning and facilitation of an NPS Management Symposium in 2027.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

The preferred candidate will have excellent organizational skills, the ability to meet deadlines, and work well both independently and as a member of a team.

Knowledge Requested:

• Ability to work independently and in an organized manner with strong attention to detail.
• Highly motivated individual with good attention to detail.
• Ability to complete assigned tasks independently.
• Effective communication skills, in writing, in person, over Teams, and on the telephone.
• Experience with Microsoft Office suite required.
• Experience with ArcPro required and ArcGIS Online preferred.

Position Information:

• Contracted Student Intern: WPP Nonpoint Source Management Section Intern (Unpaid) (ID: 260007PF)
• Start/End Date: 1/11/2027 - 6/18/2027
• Weekly Hours: 22.5 hours
• Number of Openings: 1 position

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Minimum Requirements: NONE Please see the Preferred Qualifications above.

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!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.