Part-time Summer Water Quality and Ecology Internships (2 positions)
The Neponset River Watershed Association is looking for two enthusiastic volunteer interns, late spring through summer of 2021, with an interest in 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 project management.
The interns will help with all aspects of our volunteer water quality monitoring programs and our brook trout habitat suitability project. This work will provide the interns experience with preparing sampling materials and supplies, field work, data management, laboratory sample analysis, and volunteer coordination. The interns will also assist with planning and coordination for the 2021 Fall Neponset River Cleanup.
The interns will have an opportunity to conduct research to produce a report detailing the ecology of riparian habitats in the Neponset River Watershed and the history of stream alteration and pollution, which will be used in prioritizing future restoration projects.
Finally, the interns will gain valuable experience in helping to design a field sampling protocol for a bioassessment program in the watershed.
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 the status of COVID-19, all research related activities will likely be completed remotely with daily ‘check-in’ Zoom meetings with the supervisor. Field activities and ‘in office’ tasks will be completed with proper social distance guidelines.
When
The interns will each be responsible for a minimum of 20 hours weekly depending on availability, interest, and other commitments. Help can begin as early as May and last through October and we request a minimum commitment of 10 weeks. The hours are flexible and can be determined at the end of each week for the following week, though field days will be planned in advance. Work occurs primarily during normal business hours, with occasional early morning, evening or weekend activities.
Skills and Special Requirements
- The interns should be undergraduate or master’s students pursuing degrees in related fields.
- Experience with water quality sampling is desired.
- Familiarity with laboratory analysis techniques is desirable but not required.
- Self-motivation, reliability, the ability to work independently, and the ability to follow specific sampling and safety protocols are all critical.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential and the ability to engage racially, ethnically and socioeconomically diverse community members is a plus.
- 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 are both required.
To Apply
To apply, please send an email describing why you are interested in the position with a copy of your resume to Jennifer Rogers, River Restoration Director, at rogers@neponset.org
Part-time Summer Greenway and River Access Internship
The Neponset River Watershed Association is looking for an enthusiastic intern from late spring through summer of 2021, with an interest in urban river revitalization and community engagement. The intern will work in close collaboration with the Association’s Greenway and Natural Resource Specialist, Executive Director, and community volunteers.
The intern will help map out possible routes to extend the Neponset River Greenway Trail to connect with regional trail networks. The intern will also assist in the organization of volunteer events and public programming aimed at helping to improve riverfront and parkland access around the Neponset Watershed and Neponset Greenway. Depending on the intern’s skills and interests, they may also work to develop a crowd-sourced interactive map of maintenance needs along the Neponset Greenway Trail.
This work will provide the intern experience with GIS mapping software, access improvement initiatives, and volunteer coordination.
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 the status of COVID-19, all research related activities will likely be completed remotely with daily ‘check-in’ Zoom meetings with the supervisor. Field activities and ‘in office’ tasks will be completed with proper social distance guidelines.
When
The intern will be responsible for a minimum of 16 hours weekly depending on availability, interest, and other commitments. Help can begin as early as May and last through October and we request a minimum commitment of 10 weeks. The hours are flexible and can be determined at the end of each week for the following week, though field days will be planned in advance. Work occurs primarily during normal business hours, with occasional early morning, evening or weekend activities or meetings.
Skills and Special Requirements
- The intern should be an undergraduate or master’s student pursuing degrees in geography, environmental policy, public health, urban planning, or related fields.
- Experience with mapping software (ARCGIS) is desired.
- Experience with managing volunteers.
- Self-motivation, reliability, the ability to work independently, and the ability to communicate effectively over email.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential and the ability to engage racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse community members.
- The intern 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 periodic access to your own transportation are both required.
To Apply
To apply, please send an email describing why you are interested in the position with a copy of your resume to Andres Ripley, ripley@neponset.org
We have many additional volunteer opportunities throughout the year, so be sure to sign up for our emails to stay up to date.
As a volunteer, you might:
- sample water at streams around the watershed
- work with other volunteers on a river cleanup
- staff an event table on behalf of the Watershed Association
- take photo’s of sites around the watershed for use in publications
- survey dams and culverts
- assist with office projects
Click here to register as a volunteer or email our Volunteer Coordinator, Andres Ripley, at ripley@neponset.org
