Environmental Justice Intern - UNPAID

The Environmental Justice Intern at the General Court of Massachusetts will develop a web-based GIS application to integrate environmental, health, and socio-economic data. This role supports the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's mission to ensure clean air, water, and land for Environmental Justice populations. Responsibilities include dataset compilation, analysis, and collaboration with staff to meet community engagement needs, culminating in a final presentation of the tool.
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 goal of MassDEP's Environmental Justice (EJ) program is to ensure that all people that live in neighborhoods defined as EJ Populations have clean air, water and land. MassDEP strives to ensure that EJ Populations are able to live in and enjoy a clean and healthy environment. This goal includes access to and inclusion in the agency's decision-making action and activities.

The intern will design and develop a user-friendly, web-based GIS application that integrates environmental, health, and socio-economic data to highlight community benefits and environmental burdens. This work will support agency decision-making and community engagement efforts, culminating in a final presentation and delivery of a tool for use by MassDEP staff.



Job Duties:

Develop a user-friendly, web-based GIS application integrating environmental, health, and socio-economic datasets

Compile and incorporate datasets such as air quality, hazardous sites, regulated entities, and renewable energy projects

Map and analyze "benefits" (e.g., parks, open space, green space, tree canopy) and "burdens" (e.g., heat islands, flooding risk, hazardous sites)

Conduct research to identify relevant, high-quality, and accessible datasets for community use

Ensure data is organized and presented in a clear, accessible format for non-technical users

Support Environmental Justice (EJ) initiatives by highlighting conditions impacting EJ populations

Collaborate with staff to align the tool with community engagement and decision-making needs

Test and refine the GIS application for usability and functionality

Present the final mapping tool and findings to MassDEP staff

Deliver a completed tool for ongoing internal use to support community engagement efforts





Preferred Qualifications:

Knowledge of or interest in Environmental Justice.

Experience with ARC GIS or other software.

Experience with data collection and preparation.

Develop/create a map that is intuitive for non-technical users, easy to use and produces accurate information.

Knowledge and/or experience with identifying and gathering relevant data.

The ability to create data layers and incorporate best practices with color contrast, and plain language.



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 Justice Intern

Start/End Date: 6/14/2026 - 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.