Belize Field Instructor – Environmental Education

Belize Field Instructor – Environmental Education
Application period closes October 25th, 2013

Description:
Ecology Project International (EPI), a nonprofit organization, is hiring instructors to teach outdoor environmental/conservation education in Belize on the Mesoamerican Reef Ecosystem.

EPI offers experiential educational programs to students in a variety of outdoor settings (marine and rainforest). Our mission is to improve and inspire science education and conservation through field based student-scientist partnerships.

EPI offers field-based science/conservation educational programs for high school students. Our programs are experiential; involving inquiry-based field science through curricula and hands on participation in real conservation/research projects. We promote a deeper understanding of natural systems and the importance of research and conservation for long term sustainability. We work with local Belizean and foreign students between 15-19 years old. Field programs are 5 to 9 days in length.

Our Belize program has an emphasis on bottlenose dolphin ecology, Caribbean cayes ecosystems, tropical upland and lowland broadleaf forest ecology, and Mayan culture and history. During the cayes portion of the program our students visit a research station on a Belizean atoll where dolphins, crocodiles, and manatees can be found using the reef and seagrass ecosystems. At these sites students participate in bottle nose dolphin monitoring, a lionfish population genetics project, habitat restoration, a marine fisheries species identification census, urchin research, hiking, snorkeling, and development of an independent research project. Instructors lead field activities and facilitate the learning experience based on EPI curricula that promotes knowledge of science, along with developing the skills necessary to become an active leader in conservation efforts worldwide.

At rainforest sites students have opportunities to learn about ongoing research projects, explore ancient Mayan sites such as ruins and caves, and experience the Mayan culture and its deep relationship with the rainforest’s ecology and biodiversity.

For visiting foreign students the program’s itinerary includes a cultural exchange, which is an amazing opportunity to visit a local high school and spend time with Belizean students.

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 science/conservation education programs to a diverse group of high school students.
• 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.
• Oversee and/or lead research activities with accordance to local research protocols.
• Establish and maintain clear communication with teachers, chaperones, participants, partners, co- instructor(s), and EPI staff.
• Effectively manage logistical challenges during emergencies on course.
• Promptly complete and file paperwork associated with each course.
• 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.
• Actively manage course logistics while on course.
• Help photo-document the experience of EPI participants.
• Show and maintain a positive attitude.

Qualifications:
Required:
• Desire to promote leaders in conservation through our program;
• More than one year teaching environmental/conservation education;
• More than one year leading outdoor experiences for young adults;
• Experience leading trips in remote areas;
• Physically and mentally fit enough to lead courses up to 12 days/24 hours a day with a co-instructor;
• Bachelor’s degree in environmental education, biology, ecology, natural sciences, or related field;
• Field research experience;
• Current Wilderness First Responder & CPR certifications; individuals not certified at time of applying must be willing to complete this certification before staff training;
• Snorkeling or diving experience, preferably for research purposes;
• Available to work from March through July.
Preferred:
• Master’s degree in environmental education, biology, ecology, natural sciences, or related field;
• Experience in science-based inquiry learning programs;
• Experience living or studying in Latin American settings;
• Knowledge and familiarity with Belize, especially Belizean cayes and Mayan culture;
• Experience teaching basic swimming skills or lifeguard certification;
• Caribbean marine and/or rainforest ecology research experience.

Compensation: Lodging in Belize City during field season for non-Belizean residents, room and board while on course, work related in-country travel, and $65-103/day. Wages are based on past relevant experience. All newly hired instructors will be given the opportunity to submit documentation demonstrating past relevant experience.

Dates: The program season is from early March through July 2014. Selected instructors will participate in a 10-12 day required unpaid training (room/board provided) to be held early March in Belize. They will also be required to participate in staff retreats and a closing event at the end of the season.

To apply click here and follow the directions to complete the on-line application process. All applicants must apply on-line.