Environmental Affairs Intern Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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.

Job Description:

The intern will play a key role in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of regional complaint intake and internal tracking processes. An exciting opportunity to assist with the logistics of the regional strike force program will involve maintaining a comprehensive system to document and analyze environmental complaints that may include illegal dumping, pollution incidents, and other environmental violations. Additionally, there will be an opportunity to utilize GIS to continue developing an interactive mapping tool that visualizes complaint trends of illegal dumping hotspots for enforcement and strategic planning purposes. The person in this position, once trained, will screen incoming complaints, and make referrals to internal and external entities as well as offering compliance assistance when appropriate.

MassDEP Southeast Regional Office seeks applicants for an internship in the Environmental Strike Force program. This position is assigned to the Southeast Regional Office located at 20 Riverside Drive, Lakeville MA and will report to the Environmental Strike Force Investigator within the Bureau of Air and Waste (BAW).

Job Duties:

• Track and manage environmental complaints, including illegal dumping and pollution incidents.

• Maintain and improve internal systems for complaint intake and tracking.

• Conduct analysis of complaint data to identify trends and patterns.

• Assist in developing and enhancing a GIS-based mapping tool for illegal dumping hotspots.

• Screen incoming complaints and determine appropriate next steps.

• Refer complaints to internal teams or external agencies as needed.

• Provide basic compliance assistance when appropriate.

• Support logistics and coordination for the regional strike force program.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficient excel and GIS knowledge and experience.

• Strong communication skills.

• Ability to work independently, and in an organized manner with strong attention to detail. 

• Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of data, to draw conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations.

This internship is unpaid and designed to support students or recent graduates seeking practical experience in the field. Interns may be eligible to earn academic credit through their college or university.

Position Information:

• Contracted Student Intern: Environmental Strike Force Intern

• Start/End Date: 6/15/2026 - 10/16/2026

• Weekly Hours: 22.5 hours

• Number of Openings: 1 position

A cover letter and resume must be submitted as part of the application process and attached "as relevant" to the requisition. 

Qualifications - External

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

 Minimum Requirements: NONE

 Please see the Preferred Qualifications above.

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.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.