Join the NepRWA team and help make a difference in your community!
Employment Opportunities
Apply now! Fellowship begins in June 2020.
Neponset Environmental Science and Engineering Fellowship
The Neponset River Watershed Association is seeking applications for the Neponset Environmental Science and Engineering Fellowship. This is a 13-month full-time position that provides the opportunity for a recent graduate to gain intensive hands-on experience working with a well-respected regional nonprofit.
The Fellowship is intended to provide broad exposure to the full range of science, education, advocacy, and community organizing functions involved in watershed work. The Fellow will work closely with the Association’s Environmental Scientist, Executive Director, Outreach Director, and other staff.
The Fellow’s core responsibilities will include day to day supervision of the Association’s volunteer-based water quality monitoring program and a leadership role in organizing spring and fall river-cleanup events. The fellow will also visit public schools and present our stormwater and/or water conservation education programs to 4th and 5th graders, and possibly middle and high school students. Some travel is required.
The Fellow will play a supporting role in other projects including our hotspot monitoring program, bacteria monitoring program, stream habitat restoration projects, and our Embrace-a-stream project. The Fellow will be exposed to at least one public speaking and grant writing opportunity and will prepare comments on a development or permitting issue.
Schedule and Compensation
This is a full-time position that runs for 13 months (ideally June 1 to June 30). Compensation includes a salary of $32,800 per year, health insurance and paid time-off benefits. The position requires occasional early morning sampling and evening or weekend events.
Qualifications
The Fellowship is open to applicants who have recently received a master’s or bachelor’s degree in watershed management, environmental science, civil/environmental engineering, or a related field, and who are interested in a natural resource protection career.
Applicants should have excellent written, telephone, and interpersonal communication skills, and should be comfortable working with a diverse collection of volunteer personalities. They must have a demonstrated ability to plan and implement projects in a fast-paced environment, working both independently and as part of a team. Applicants must be comfortable working outdoors, in poor weather, on uneven ground, and in a canoe, and must have their own transportation.
Applicants should have an interest in youth education. Experience teaching grade school students is a plus.
Applications by minority candidates, candidates interested in a career in the nonprofit sector, and residents of the 14 Neponset Watershed communities are particularly encouraged.
Application Procedure
Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter via email. In the cover letter, please describe your interest in the position, relevant academic and/or work experience, and how a one-year fellowship would fit into your overall career goals. We recommend submitting application materials by mid-April. We hope to make a final hiring decision by early May and to have the new fellow start work in June 2020.
Send applications to Chris Hirsch, Environmental Scientist at hirsch@neponset.org
Volunteer Positions
Water Samplers Needed, May – Oct 2020
Join the Citizen Water Monitoring Network (CWMN) Team! Volunteers are needed annually to collect water quality samples in Dedham and Norwood, as part of the CWMN program. Sampling occurs once a month, on the second Thursday, from May through Oct. Training is provided.
We always need back up or fill-in volunteers to sample on days when our regular volunteers aren’t able to.
If you or anyone you know might be interested in helping us out, please email Kelly DiStefano at distefano@neponset.org.
Volunteers needed for the Neponset River Spring Cleanup on Sat., April 25, 9 am-noon
Various cleanup sites in Dorchester, Milton, Quincy, Canton, Norwood, and Stoughton
- Join friends and neighbors at our annual spring cleanup. All ages are welcome.
- For site details and registration, go to www.neponset.org/cleanup
To volunteer or nominate a cleanup site, email Kelly DiStefano, or call 781-575-0354 x306
Can’t join us this time? Consider donating to help offset the cost at www.neponset.org/do-your-part/donate
Seeking Volunteers to Help With Brook Trout Project
We have partnered with Greater Boston Trout Unlimited to track the health of the Neponset River’s wild brook trout populations, and we could use some help!
Adopt-A-Logger Volunteer
(April-September)
- Monitor 3-5 water temperature loggers in an assigned cold-water stream
- Visit temperature loggers once a month and download the data via Bluetooth
- Must have a smart phone that can download the HOBOMobile APP and have Bluetooth connectivity
Environmental DNA Sampler
- Will collect water samples following a strict protocol
- Must be able to bushwhack and/or wade in a stream (we can provide waders if needed)
- Must commit to 4 sampling dates: May 9, May 16 (if need be), August 22, August 29 (if need be)
Details about the Brook Trout Project can be found here.
To volunteer for the Brook Trout Project, contact Andres Ripley at ripley@neponset.org