The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) Energy & Environmental Program is seeking a second-year graduate student interested in municipal infrastructure and stormwater management. This project is in support of town Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit requirements. Students will assist BRPC staff complete storm sewer system mapping through GPS field data collection of catch basins, manholes, and connecting storm drainage piping in the towns of Dalton, Lanesborough, and Cheshire. Click HERE for this document.
This internship will include learning opportunities in the following areas:
• GIS and GPS mapping
• Stormwater and wastewater infrastructure
• Regulatory requirements of the Clean Water Act and MS4 General Permit
• Field work, data collection, and data management for municipal governments
• Local and regional government planning
BRPC is the regional planning agency for Berkshire County providing comprehensive planning services to municipalities which include land use, transportation, community and economic development, public health, and environmental planning. More information can be found at berkshireplanning.org
Qualifications:
• Candidate must be a second-year graduate student having been enrolled during the 2021/2022 academic school year.
• Past experience in data collection, outdoor field work, GPS data collection, and ability to follow detailed protocols.
• Comfortable working outdoors during hot weather in both developed and less developed areas
• Ability to communicate well with fellow crew members, supervisors, municipal staff as well as the public.
• Solid organization and data management skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to think creatively while out in the field.
• Familiarity with GIS Mapping software and ability to learn or work with ESRI mapping software.
• Background knowledge of nonpoint source pollution and stormwater-related water quality issues.
Position Requirements:
• The is an hourly, off-site, un-benefitted, BRPC internship position.
• Interns must have access to a smart phone with the ability to download mapping application and reliable transportation to and from the field sites.
• Must be available for in-person fieldwork in the towns of Dalton, Lanesborough, and Cheshire, MA and occasional on-site meetings and follow-up data management at the BRPC office (1 Fenn Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201).
• Hours will range from 8am-4pm, 3 days a week to be coordinated with your supervisor and fellow crew member. Start and end dates are flexible based on mutually agreed upon schedule.
Hours, Dates and Compensation: This internship is part-time paid position ($19.52/hour) for 13 weeks (approximately 250-300 hours). Mileage for field work travel will be reimbursed at the federal rate ($0.59/mile).
To Apply: Please send a resume with relevant experience and/or course-work along with a cover letter that illustrates your interest in the work (in word or PDF format) as attachments and email to Courteny Morehouse, Senior Planner in Energy and Environment at info@berkshireplanning.org. Please use “Stormwater System Mapping Internship” as the subject line. Applications will be accepted until position is filled.