Environmental Science Fellowship

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 to gain intensive hands-on experience working with a well-respected regional nonprofit. This opportunity is ideal for a recent college graduate in environmental science, natural resources, or related fields. 

The Fellowship is intended to provide broad exposure to the full range of science, education, outreach, and community organizing functions involved in watershed management. The Fellow will work closely with the Association’s River Restoration Director, Executive Director, Outreach & Communications Director, and Education and Volunteer Coordinator.

The Fellow’s primary responsibilities will include day to day supervision of the Association’s volunteer-based Community Water Monitoring Network (CWMN) program, organization of the Association’s spring and fall river cleanup events, and participation in our ongoing school education programs.   

Key elements of the Fellow’s oversight of the CWMN program include: 

• Planning and participating in water quality monitoring events.
• Managing the water quality monitoring database.
• Submitting water quality data to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for use in Clean Water Act regulation activities. 

This combination of tasks will provide the Fellow with experiences all the way from collecting and managing raw field data, through data preparation and submission for use in environmental policy. 

The Fellow will visit public schools to teach students about stormwater and water conservation in 4th and 5th grade classes. The Fellow may also participate in educational experiences with middle and high school students as part of other watershed projects.

The Fellow will play a supporting role in other projects including our hotspot monitoring program, bacteria monitoring program, and stream habitat restoration projects. In these tasks, work may include time in the field, in our lab, or time at a computer.

Other skills the Fellow will gain from this experience include public speaking, grant writing, preparing comments on a development or permitting issue, and management of professional social medial accounts.

Schedule and Compensation

This is a full-time position that runs for 13 months (ideally June 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025). Work will be conducted in accordance with state and local health recommendations including a hybrid model (in-office and remote work) or appropriately distanced in the field. Compensation includes a salary of $40,000 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. 

Required:

• Excellent written, telephone, and interpersonal communication skills. 
• Self-motivation, reliability, the ability to work independently, and the ability to follow specific sampling and safety protocols.
• The ability to engage racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse community members and volunteers. 
• Interest in youth education and the charismatic persona necessary to engage and motivate young people.
• Experience in environmental data analysis and explaining results to non-scientists.
• Demonstrated experience in organizing, planning, and implementing projects in a fast-paced environment, working both independently and as part of a team.
• Comfortable working in the field on uneven or muddy terrain and under adverse weather conditions (rain, cool mornings, hot afternoons, etc.).
• A personal vehicle for transportation to and from remote sites and school visits. 

Preferred:

• Experience with water quality sampling.
• Experience with ArcGIS and/or RStudio.
• Familiarity with laboratory analysis techniques.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Applications by minority candidates, candidates interested in a career in the nonprofit sector, and residents of the 14 Neponset Watershed communities are particularly encouraged. We are an equal opportunity affirmative action employer.

Application Procedure

Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter via the following form (https://forms.gle/LFaVTGtBduJ8P62C8). 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 mid-May and to have the new fellow start work in June 2024.

Please do not apply within Handshake, please follow above link to apply directly on our website!

Send applications via the form above, and direct any questions to Sean McCanty, River Restoration Director, at mccanty@neponset.org