Costa Rica Field Instructor ECOLOGY PROJECT INTERNATIONAL
Application period closes November 4th, 2011 Description: Ecology Project International (EPI), a nonprofit organization, is hiring instructors to teach outdoor environmental education. Our mission is to create alliances between students and scientist allowing the students to learn firsthand why conservation is important. This also enables the students to learn the concepts of sea turtle ecology, sustainable development, conservation and leadership in a fun and different way. EPI offers Sea Turtle Ecology and Wildlife Ecology programs to a variety of high school and university students including local Costa Rican students and students from the United States. The courses can be as short as 4 days or as long as 12. During the Sea Turtle Ecology Program our students visit a nature preserve on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica where leatherback, green and hawksbill come to nest. Here students help the turtles by conducting night patrols, nest excavations, habitat restoration all the while learning about the ecology and science behind these activities with specially designed curriculum. Additionally, the US students also visit a biological reserve where they learn about rainforest ecology and biodiversity through interactive observation and conservation service projects. These students also have a day to exchange cultures during a visit with a local high school. The trip is finished off with an adrenaline filled day of whitewater rafting. Instructors may also lead educational day trips and workshops and promote outreach activities for local students. For more detailed information on our courses and organization, please visit our website: www.ecologyproject.org <https://epimail.ecologyproject.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www .ecologyproject.org/> . Responsibilities: * Provide and lead a positive experience for EPI participants in the field. * Promote and ensure a safe learning/living environment. * Plan, lead, and instruct quality experiential environmental education programs to a diverse group of high school students in both English and Spanish. Plan, lead, and instruct courses based on the group's expectations. * Be sensitive to the health and welfare of all participants and meet their developmental needs. * Understand, model, monitor, and enforce EPI policies and protocols. * Participate in all EPI staff development sessions throughout the season, including staff training, staff meetings, staff retreats, and complete feedback and evaluation forms. * Oversee and/or lead research activities with accordance with local research protocols. * Establish and maintain clear communication with teachers, chaperones, participants, partners, co- instructor(s), and EPI staff. * Effectively manage logistical challenges and emergencies on course. * Promptly complete and file paperwork associated with each course. * Mentor EPI interns in developing their skills and completing their expectations. * Help with logistics while on courses * Show and maintain a positive attitude. Qualifications: Required: * Desire to make a difference in the world; * Proven environmental education experience and outdoor leadership with young adults; * Enthusiasm for leading student groups in remote areas; * Spanish and English fluency; * Bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, natural sciences, or related field; * Field research experience; * Current Wilderness First Responder or Advanced First Aid & CPR certifications (if you do not have these, you must indicate in writing that you have plans to do so before training begins); * Minimum 21 years of age. Preferred: * Master's degree in related field; * Experience working in remote Latin American settings; * Knowledge and familiarity with Costa Rica, especially the Caribbean slope; * Proven research experience with sea turtles and/or rainforest ecology; . * Rafting experience Compensation: Lodging in Heredia during field season, room and board while on course, work related in-country travel, and $50-90/day (including season completion bonus). Daily pay is also determined by level of first aid certification Dates: The program season is from early March through early August 2012. Instructors will participate in a required unpaid training session to be held in late February - early March in Costa Rica and staff retreat two times during the season for program evaluation. To apply send cover letter, resume, and completed EPI application (http://www.ecologyproject.org/images/uploads/documents/CR-GA_Instructor _app_12_Fillable.pdf <http://www.ecologyproject.org/images/uploads/documents/CR-GA_Instructor _app_12_Fillable.pdf> ) to: Costa Rica Instructor Hiring Ecology Project International 315 S. 4th St. E. Missoula, MT, 59801 USA [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> (406) 721-8784 phone / (406) 721-7060 fax Field Instructor ECOLOGY PROJECT INTERNATIONAL Galapagos Islands Ecology Program Application period closes November 4th, 2011 Description: Ecology Project International (EPI) is hiring instructors to teach and lead 5 to 12 day field ecology courses in Galapagos Islands Ecuador. Our programs introduce students to real-world scientific study, raise cultural and ecological awareness, and promote international conservation efforts. During the Galapagos Islands Ecology Program, local and international student groups (primarily from the US, from 15 to 18 years old), spend time in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island monitoring biodiversity, collecting data for a Galapagos Tortoise rearing project and eradicating invasive species with the Galapagos National Park. Additionally, international students explore the islands while living aboard a boat in addition to participating in a cultural exchange with a local high school. Instructors may also lead day field trips and outreach activities for local Galapagos students. For more detailed information on our courses and organization, please visit our website: www.ecologyproject.org <https://epimail.ecologyproject.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www .ecologyproject.org/> . Responsibilities: * Provide and lead a positive experience for EPI participants in the field. * Promote and ensure a safe learning/living environment. * Plan, lead, and instruct quality experiential environmental education programs to a diversity of high school students in both English and Spanish. * Plan, lead, and instruct courses based on the group's expectations. * Be sensitive to the health and welfare of all participants and meet their developmental needs. * Understand, model, monitor, and enforce EPI policies and protocols. * Participate in all EPI staff development sessions throughout the season, including staff training, staff meetings, staff retreats, and complete feedback and evaluation forms. * Oversee and/or lead research activities in accordance with local research protocols. * Establish and maintain clear communication with teachers, chaperones, participants, partners, co- instructor(s), and EPI staff. * Effectively manage logistical challenges and emergencies on course. * Promptly complete and file paperwork associated with each course. * Mentor EPI interns in the developing their skills and completing their expectations. * Show and maintain a positive attitude. Qualifications: Required: * Desire to make a difference in the world; * Proven field teaching and outdoor leadership experience with young adults; * Enthusiasm for leading student groups in remote areas; * Spanish and English fluency; * Bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, natural sciences, or related field; * Field research experience; * Current Wilderness First Responder or Advanced First Aid & CPR certifications; and a * Minimum 21 years of age. Preferred: * Master's degree in related field; * Experience working in remote Galapagos, Ecuador or Latin American settings; * Knowledge and familiarity with the Galapagos Islands; and a * Wilderness First Responder certification. Compensation: Lodging in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Ecuador during field season, room and board while on course, work related in-country travel, and $50-80/day (including season completion bonus). Instructors who have a current Wilderness First Responder certification will receive an additional $10 per day. Dates: The program season is early March through the end of July 2012. Instructors will participate in a required unpaid training session to be held in late February - early March in the Galapagos Islands. To apply send cover letter, resume, and completed EPI application http://www.ecologyproject.org/images/uploads/documents/CR-GA_Instructor_ app_12_Fillable.pdf <http://www.ecologyproject.org/images/uploads/documents/CR-GA_Instructor _app_12_Fillable.pdf> () to: Galapagos Instructor Hiring Ecology Project International 315 South 4th Street East Missoula, MT, 59801 USA [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> (406) 721-8784 phone / (406) 721-7060 fax
