Summer Water Quality and Ecology Internship

Neponset River Watershed Association

Unpaid Internship Opportunity

Part-time Summer Water Quality and Ecology Internship

Opportunity Description

The Neponset River Watershed Association is looking for two enthusiastic interns, late spring through summer of 2024, with an interest in community engagement, particularly in communities of color, watershed sciences, water quality, and/or freshwater ecology.  The interns will work in close collaboration with the Association's River Restoration Director, Environmental Science Fellow, Executive Director, and community volunteers and will receive hands-on experience with environmental science field work, lab work, and computer analysis.

The interns will help with all aspects of our volunteer water quality monitoring programs and other habitat restoration work in streams or the salt marsh. This work will provide the interns experience with preparing sampling materials and supplies, field work, data management, laboratory sample analysis, and volunteer/high school student coordination. The interns will also assist with planning and coordination for the 2024 Fall Neponset River Cleanup.

The interns will have an opportunity to work on tasks in digital mapping and statistical analysis (specifically tools like ArcGIS and/or RStudio), depending on interest, to further develop these skills.  Finally, the interns may have the opportunity to work in more detail on a project for water quality analysis or climate change outreach depending on interest.

This is an unpaid internship, but funding opportunities for working with non-profits may exist for undergraduate students, and the Association is happy to help secure those stipends. Additionally, the Association is able to provide a transportation stipend of $500 for the summer.

Where

Typically, work occurs at the Neponset River Watershed Association office (2173 Washington Street Canton, Massachusetts, 02021) and in the field throughout the watershed. Depending on work tasks, remote days are possible with daily ‘check-in’ Zoom meetings with the supervisor.  Field activities and ‘in office’ tasks will be completed following proper health guidelines.  

When

The intern will be responsible for a maximum of 20 hours weekly depending on availability, interest, and other commitments. Help can begin as early as May and last through October, though typically ends in August and we request a minimum commitment of 10 hours per week for approximately 10 weeks. The hours are flexible and can be determined in advance of each week, though field days will be planned in farther in advance. Work occurs primarily during normal business hours (8:30AM-5PM), with occasional early morning or evening activities. 

Qualifications:

Required:

• Self-motivation, reliability, the ability to work independently, and the ability to follow specific sampling and safety protocols are all critical. 
• The ability to engage racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse community members. 
• Interns should enjoy working in the field on uneven or muddy terrain and under adverse weather conditions (rain, cool mornings, hot afternoons, etc.).
• Basic computer skills and having your own transportation to NepRWA office are both required. 

Preferred:

• Undergraduate or master’s students actively pursuing degrees in related fields or equivalent educational experience. 
• Experience with water quality sampling.
• Experience with ArcGIS or RStudio.
• Familiarity with laboratory analysis techniques.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

To Apply

To apply, please complete the following form: https://forms.gle/8FkB9zfZjSDerDTD7 with a short cover letter describing why you are interested in the position and a copy of your resume. For any questions or issues, please email Sean McCanty, mccanty@neponset.org. We recommend submitting application materials by mid-April.

Please do not apply on Handshake and instead fill out the form directly on our website (see above).