GIS Intern (Unpaid Internship)

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.

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.

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) oversees nearly half a million acres of land, making up one of the largest and diverse state park systems in the country. Our work focuses on nurturing the vital connection between people and the environment by protecting, promoting and enhancing our common wealth of natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the well-being of all. DCR infrastructure connects people to and through the beautiful landscapes and accessible recreation facilities we care for – strengthening our communities and driving our economy. Our staff strive to build a healthier, more resilient Massachusetts where all residents and visitors can relax, reflect and feel a sense of belonging in our open spaces and public lands. To learn more about DCR, our facilities, and our programs please visit www.mass.gov/dcr or contact us at mass.parks@mass.gov

Job Opening:

The Department of Conservation and Recreation seeks applicants for GIS Intern (Unpaid Internship). Dates 6-1-26 to 8-14-26.

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

The Water Resources Commission (WRC) is seeking an intern with experience or interest in digital product accessibility and ESRI’s ArcGIS Online suite to assist with extending work on the Statewide Flooding & Environmental Justice Vulnerability Assessment project.  The goal of the project was to update and expand existing flood vulnerability assessments of the Commonwealth and in particular Environmental Justice (EJ) populations across the Commonwealth.   

Intended resilience benefits include:  

-Increased understanding of geographic and socioeconomic flood vulnerability and barriers to flood recovery in MA EJ communities.  

-Engagement and empowerment of vulnerable communities in the flood mitigation planning process.  

-Increased support for adaptation projects that address EJ community needs.  

The project’s main digital products include:  

-A geonarrative that incorporates mapping information and survey materials has been developed: Flood Vulnerability Assessment (arcgis.com).   

-An engagement platform designed to elevate EJ community voices and communicate flood vulnerability data in an accessible way.

-This internship is a great opportunity for a student interested in a GIS or digital design career, as the intern will be able to focus on the professional skills needed to design a presentation-quality product without the need to develop the featured content.

DUTIES:

-Assessing components of each draft digital product.  

-Identifying web maps featured in each draft digital product  

-Identify each spatial dataset featured in each web map  

-Bringing each product component into compliance with EOEEA’s accessibility policy  

-Complete required documentation and metadata on each spatial dataset featured in the products  

-Identify and correct accessibility issues with spatial data layer symbology.  

-Identify and correct accessibility issues with any symbology conflicts on each web map featured in the product  

-Create/complete required documentation for each web map featured in the products.   -Format each image or other item featured in the digital products to meet EOEEA’s digital accessibility requirements.  

-Migrate the geonarrative to one of EOEEA’s accessible templates. 

-Correct spelling, grammatical, and informational errors in web products with assistance from EOEEA subject matter experts.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

-Current student enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program . 

-Interest in a GIS, web development, and/or digital design career.  

-Interest in a civic or public-sector career.  

-Interest in or knowledge of digital accessibility practices.  

-Some prior knowledge of flood hydrology, social vulnerability, environmental justice, or other topics relevant to the project’s subject matter.

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

Please see Preferred Qualifications.

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%25 of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.