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.

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 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.

Job Duties:

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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.

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.

Position Information:

• Contracted Student Intern: Watershed Planning Program (Water Quality Monitoring Section) Intern

• Start/End Date: 6/15/2026 - 10/16/2026

• Weekly Hours: 22.5 hours

• Number of Openings: 1 position

A cover letter and resume must be submitted as part of the application process and attached “as relevant” to the requisition. 

Qualifications - External

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%25 of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.