Seasonal Engineering Aide I - Watershed Planning Program (WPP)

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.

Description:

MassDEP seeks applicants for six seasonal Engineering Aide I positions in the Watershed Planning Program (WPP), Division of Watershed Management, Bureau of Water Resources. The Watershed Planning Program is a statewide program with five Sections that each have a different technical focus under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA), such as Surface Water Quality Monitoring, and is charged with achieving the goals of the CWA, including monitoring and assessing the quality of rivers, lakes, estuaries, and other surface waters throughout the Commonwealth.

Each of the six selected candidates will be assigned to either the Surface Water Quality Monitoring Section or Nonpoint Source Management Section. The Surface Water Quality Monitoring Section Chief or designee(s) will supervise five positions; the Nonpoint Source Management Section Chief or designee will supervise the additional position. All positions will include office projects that will represent up to half of assigned duties. The six seasonal Engineering Aide I positions will be based in Worcester at the Watershed Planning Program’s office: 8 New Bond Street.

The successful applicants will:

• Participate in water quality and ecological field surveys by calibrating sampling equipment, obtaining field samples, delivering samples to the analytical laboratory, and processing biological samples;
• Participate in the sampling and analysis of fish, macroinvertebrate, and algae populations and their habitat for the purpose of assessing the condition of lakes, rivers, and other waterbodies in Massachusetts;
• Participate in laboratory analysis of water quality samples for characteristics like E. coli, chlorophyll a, water color, and turbidity;
• Participate in WPP office projects to support CWA objectives; duties may include assisting with data gathering and analysis, report preparation, GIS mapping, stakeholder outreach, grant management, and other activities; and
• Perform other related duties as required.

Preferred Qualifications and Work Experience:

• Be able to work any normal shift within the typical hours of 7:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday from the time of hiring (approximately May 2026 through September 30, 2026);
• Be comfortable working in and around water (i.e., rivers, lakes, wetlands) and on boats;
• Be capable of lifting items of moderate weight (up to 40 lbs.);
• Have a current and valid motor vehicle driver’s license; and
• Have proficiency with MS Office applications: Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• While not required, small boat and boat trailering experience is beneficial;
• Ability to identify freshwater aquatic macrophytes is also beneficial;
• Experience or willing to learn about calibrating and maintaining water quality instruments; and
• Proficiency in MS Access, GIS, and/or R is also beneficial.

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.

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