Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance and Technology (OTA)

OTA is requesting quotes from approved vendors on statewide contract for two upcoming projects: Support for New and/or Expanding Businesses: OTA seeks a vendor to update outreach materials and conduct an outreach campaign to increase technical assistance to new or expanding businesses serving?environmental justice populations and/or minority-owned businesses. The program’s objective is to prevent toxic chemical use and incorporate pollution prevention and sustainability (water and energy conservation) into business models, with an emphasis on advancing environmental justice. For more information and to submit a quote, visit: https://lnkd.in/eRvri7PV Chemical Safety and Climate Resiliency: We are looking for a vendor to build upon and develop preparedness strategies and tools (e.g., facility emergency checklists, preparedness plan templates, scenarios for table-top exercises, etc.) for the manufacturing sector in climate vulnerable areas in close proximity to environmental justice populations. The consultant will work with OTA staff to develop tabletop training exercises on facility emergency preparedness for potential chemical release scenario. For more information and to submit a quote, visit: https://lnkd.in/ePmAHqtc If you would like to pursue one of these opportunities but aren’t yet registered as a state-approved vendor, you can register through COMMBUYS: https://lnkd.in/eGChkjCW #EnvironmentalConsulting #EnvironmentalJustice #PollutionPrevention #ChemicalSafety #ClimatePreparedness #ClimateChange #EmergencyPreparedness #Procurement

Are you a local organization working with populations experiencing environmental injustice and disproportionate impacts of climate change? You may be eligible for Environmental Justice Capacity Building grant funding from the MA Office of Environmental Justice and Equity. The deadline to apply is March 14th and funding must be spent by June 30th, 2025. Eligible entities include non-profit organizations, Tribal governments, and state-recognized tribes.?Partnerships among eligible grantees and private organizations are welcome to apply. Visit COMMBUYS to review the Request for Response and to apply: https://lnkd.in/ejEedzi5 Virtual information sessions about this funding opportunity are taking place this week! Please register for a Zoom session in advance using one of the following links: Tuesday, Feb 25th, 2025, 10:00-11:00 AM https://lnkd.in/enCqUKCt Friday, Feb 28th, 2025, 12:30 – 1:30 PM https://lnkd.in/eKX9szeU) #Grants #Funding #EnvironmentalJustice #Environment #EJ

??Thanks to the incredible work of the team, we have a public version of EJScreen available for use: https://lnkd.in/esJR_Fg4 As you may know, public access to the tool from EPA was discontinued on February 5, 2025. We have now re-created the tool and made it publicly accessible - special thanks to Eric Nost! Note: You can identify the EJScreen data and index percentiles for a given block group right now.?Check back soon as we put more time and resources toward the functionality of EJScreen you might be used to.

Our colleagues at MassDEP are hiring for an Environmental Analyst IV (EA IV) for the implementation of the TURA and Toxics Programs! Help reduce the burden of toxics use for workers and communities in MA. Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/eWKZRW_q #Hiring #Jobs #JobOpportunity #Environment #EnvironmentJobs #GreenJobs

OTA's Winter Newsletter is out now! Learn about TURA tracking and reporting updates for 2025, upcoming training opportunities for Toxics Use Reduction planners, TSCA compliance resources, and more: https://conta.cc/3EoxRQ2 Sign up for OTA's newsletters here: https://lnkd.in/eh6J6VdM

OTA is hiring! We are looking for an Environmental Analyst III (EA III) to join our team of technical assistance providers. This is a full-time, union-represented position based at OTA's office at 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA. The annual salary range is $74,159.02 - $108,560.40. This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. The EA III's duties will include: --Leading and conducting on-site and virtual technical assistance at designated industry sectors, with the goal of facilitating, monitoring, quantifying and reporting on the adoption of Toxics Use Reduction (TUR), Pollution Prevention (P2) and resource conservation strategies and achievements --Assessing facility operations, identify problems and TUR potentials, conduct follow up research and develop technical solutions --Leading outreach activities designed to encourage the use of OTA and TURA Program services to achieve TUR, P2, and resource conservation Learn more about the position and apply: https://lnkd.in/egpBVdPr If you have diversity, affirmative action, or equal employment opportunity questions or need a reasonable accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator Melixza Esenyie at 617-626-1282. #Hiring #JobOpportunity #Environment #EnvironmentalHealth #OHS

With the new year underway, make sure your facility is up to speed on recent TURA reporting updates! The TURA List was updated effective January 1, 2025 to include seven new additions to the TRI list. On January 1, 2025, seven per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) became individually reportable under TURA at a 100 lb. threshold for reporting year 2025, for reports due July 1, 2026. For more information, check out OTA’s PFAS Tracking and Reporting guidance page: https://lnkd.in/efycD8_T As you begin your Reporting Year 2025 tracking, please note that, as of 2024, TRI PFAS chemicals are no longer eligible for the de minimis exemption, because EPA has designated them chemicals of special concern. Learn more about this rule change: https://lnkd.in/egW6v5s4 To help manufacturers navigate the de minimis exemption, OTA has updated the downloadable PFAS Supplier Notification letter for your use. https://lnkd.in/enz7SA2F OTA's staff is available to assist you in PFAS identification and source reduction.?Get in touch with us if you’d like help finding potential sources of PFAS in your facility: https://lnkd.in/euPuQkHP #PollutionPrevention #SourceReduction #EnvironmentalEngineering #EnvironmentalHealth #EHS #PFAS

Extreme cold weather, precipitation, wind, and wildfires can all present dangers to manufacturing facilities—and these climate hazards are all becoming more frequent. OTA is here to help. Our team can provide free, confidential technical assistance with important climate preparedness issues—like reducing toxics to minimize risks from flooding and infrastructural damage, or preparing to maintain emergency power in the event of catastrophic power failure. Find OTA’s chemical safety and climate preparedness resources here: https://lnkd.in/eURDZ-Dp The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board has some great resources on winterization. Check out their resources here: https://lnkd.in/eZmqAMNN They’ve also prepared a helpful video with some tips: https://lnkd.in/g58t67TT Environmental justice neighborhoods face disproportionate hazards from climate change. To determine whether your facility or business is located in an environmental justice neighborhood or near an environmental justice population, search your address in OTA’s mapping tool here: https://lnkd.in/e54Uk7Xy Would you like to work with us, or to refer a company to us? Contact OTA’s team for assistance: https://lnkd.in/e5_Qtg43 ? If you would like to request a training on chemical safety and climate change resiliency for your agency or organization, contact Kari Sasportas, Outreach & Chemical Policy Analyst at [email protected]. #ExtremeCold #EmergencyPreparedness #ClimateChange #ClimatePreparedness #ChemicalSafety #Manufacturing #EmergencyManagement #EnvironmentalJustice

OTA?is currently recruiting a paid?Environmental Justice Intern for Spring 2025.? If you are a recent graduate or a current student looking to make a difference in pollution prevention and the reduction of toxic chemical use and its impact on overburdened populations in Massachusetts, apply now on MassCareers: https://lnkd.in/g3y82E4A Applications received by January 20, 2025, will be prioritized.? ? Approximately 80% of businesses that file under the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act are located in or within a mile of a neighborhood with an?environmental justice population.? OTA's work with companies to reduce toxic substances represents an important opportunity to advance the needs of environmental justice populations in Massachusetts. The OTA Environmental Justice intern will work with the Outreach & Chemical Policy Analyst to help implement OTA’s key agency actions and strategic outreach plan for environmental justice. The Intern will assist with the creation of website content related to environmental justice, outreach to affected environmental justice stakeholders, the maintenance and development of GIS mapping tools, the procurement of language access services, and more.? ? #EnvironmentalJustice #Internship #PollutionPrevention

OTA staff send warm wishes for happiness and health to our entire Commonwealth. We are proud and honored to be of service to our neighbors and environment, and we are here for you, this season and every season! OTA's team (L-R): John Raschko, Kari Sasportas, MPH, REHS, Elisheva Thoreen, Tiffany Skogstrom, Caredwen Foley, Jack Illingworth