Field Instructors – Costa Rica, Galapagos

Job Summary: Ecology Project International (EPI) is hiring instructors to teach and lead 4 to 12 day field environmental education and ecology courses in different countries. Instructors are responsible to plan, lead, and instruct quality experiential education programs to a diversity of multinational high school students. Instructors are responsible for the overall course leadership, education, and the physical and emotional safety of EPIparticipants.

Instructors lead field activities and facilitate the learning experience based on EPIcurricula that promotes knowledge of science, introduce students to real-world scientific study, raises cultural and ecological awareness, promotes international conservation efforts, and develops the skills necessary to become an active leader in conservation efforts worldwide. In nature the students have opportunities to learn about ongoing research projects and explore multiple sites to learn about ecology and biodiversity.

General Responsibilities:

• Provide and lead a positive experience for EPI participants in the field
• Promote and ensure a safe learning/living environment
• Conduct all courses with rigorous attention to risk management
• Plan, lead, and instruct quality experiential environmental education programs to a diversity of high school students blending EPI’s and the group’s expectations
• Effectively manage logistical challenges and emergencies on course
• Establish and maintain clear communication with teachers, chaperones, participants, partners, co- instructor(s), and EPI staff
• Be sensitive to the health and welfare of all participants and meet their developmental needs
• Show and maintain a positive attitude
• Understand, model, monitor, and enforce EPI policies and protocols
• Oversee and/or lead research activities in accordance with local research protocols
• Lead conservation service projects in accordance with risk management protocols
• Keep course gear organized, clean, and in good working order
• Participate in all EPI staff development sessions throughout the season, including staff training, staff meetings, 
  staff retreats, and evaluation/feedback process
• Mentor EPI interns to develop their skills and achieve outlined expectations
• Promptly complete and file paperwork associated with each course
• Help photo-documenting the experience of EPI participants
• Write two local student experience for promotional materials at the end of the season
• Other duties as assigned

Programs: Our programs introduce students to real-world scientific study, raise cultural and ecological awareness, and promote international conservation efforts. EPI offers field-based science/conservation educational programs for high school and university 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 the long term sustainability of life on planet Earth.

Schedule and Location: The program season is different at each location. Instructors will participate in a required unpaid training session before the season start, staff retreats, and a season closing event.

• Costa Rica Sea Turtle Ecology Program: Season runs from mid-February through end of July
• Galapagos Islands Ecology Program: Season runs from mid-February through end of July
• Yellowstone Winter and Wildlife Ecology Programs: Season runs from mid-January through August

General Qualifications for all EPI Instructors: 
Required:

• Desire to make a difference in the world by developing conservation leaders through our program
• Proven field teaching and outdoor leadership experience with young adults
• Enthusiasm for leading student groups in remote areas
• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, natural sciences, or related field
• Field research experience
• Experience teaching environmental / conservation education
• Familiarity with conservation and ecology of program area
• Must be willing to work hard and actively participate as part of small team of instructors
• Wilderness First Responder or Advanced First Aid & CPR certifications (individuals not certified at time of application must be willing to complete this certification before staff training)
• Minimum 21 years of age
• Physically and mentally capable to lead courses up to 12 days in length, including but not limited to: long hours exposed to all weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, snow, sun, insects, etc.), ability to lift 50 lbs, hike up to 5 miles a day with a day pack and equipment, conduct repetitive hand and arm motions, and able to maneuver in tight spaces, including bending and kneeling
• Able to successfully pass a criminal background check

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in related field
• Experience living and working in a remote environment for extended periods of time
• Experience teaching science inquiry based learning programs
• More than one year teaching environmental education and leading outdoor experiences for groups of young adults

Compensation: Lodging provided during field season, room and board while on course, work related in-country travel, and $65-$121/day depending on experience, leadership role, and first aid certification. New instructors will have the opportunity to submit documentation of prior work experience in similar field for consideration.

Specific Program Descriptions and Additional Qualifications:

Costa Rica Sea Turtle Ecology Program: We work with local Costa Ricans and foreign students primarily between 15-19 years old. The Costa Rica program has an emphasis on sea turtle and tropical rainforest ecology. During the turtle portion of the program our students visit a turtle station on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica where leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) marine turtles nest. At these sites students develop research projects and participate in night patrols, nest excavations, habitat restoration activities, and hikes in the forest.

For visiting foreign students the program’s itinerary also includes a cultural exchange in the local community. Students will visit a local high school and spend time with Costa Rican students, or visit a rural community to play a soccer game. There is also an adventure trip, such as a white-water rafting or a zip-line canopy trip.

In addition to the typical program courses, instructors will visit local schools to run short activities with students, promote outreach activities for local participants, and may lead short educational trips for adults or businesses.

Costa Rica program instructor specific qualifications:
Required:

• Meet or exceed all general EPI instructor qualifications
• Spanish and English language fluency

Preferred:

• Knowledge and familiarity with Costa Rica, especially the Caribbean slope
• International travel experience, especially in Latin America
• Research experience in Sea Turtle and /or rainforest ecology
• Whitewater rafting or Forest canopy experience

Specific questions for the Costa Rica Program can be directed to Eylen Zuniga A.eylen@ecologyproject.org

Galapagos Islands Ecology Program: We work with local Galapagueños and foreign students primarily between 15-19 years old. Galápagos programs have an emphasis on The Giant Tortoise (Chelonoides nigrita) and the Galápagos archipelago ecosystem. During the Giant Tortoise research, students visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to look for tortoises in the wild and collect important data that the Galápagos National Park (GNP) needs in order to estimate population numbers and trends. Analyzing dung´s samples and looking for eaten seeds are other activities that will help students understand the ecological role of this species. Participants will be part of control and reforestation activities on fragile areas of the island. Another portion of the program for visiting students takes place on Isabela Island where they will explore natural and cultural features, and understand its ecology, and learn more about other species of Giant Tortoises. Most of the research activities are developed with the support of the GNPrangers and Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) scientists.

For visiting foreign students the program’s itinerary includes a cultural exchange in Puerto Ayora town lead by “Mola Mola” Local Ecology Club members.

In addition to the typical program courses, instructors will visit local schools to run short activities with students, promote outreach activities for local participants, and may lead short educational trips for adults or businesses.

Galapagos program instructor specific qualifications:
Required:

• Meet or exceed all general EPI instructor qualifications
• Spanish and English language fluency

Preferred:

• Knowledge and familiarity with Galapagos Island ecology and conservation
• International travel experience, especially in Latin America
• Research experience with reptiles
• Ability to perform and supervise swimming and snorkeling activities
• Bachelor’s degree in ecotourism

Specific questions for the Galapagos program can be directed to Juan Sebastian Torres.juan@ecologyproject.org

To apply: Visit EPI Field Instructor (Multiple Locations application to complete the online application process.