Palo Verde Scientific Director

The Station Director position duties include: Oversight of the management

of Palo Verde Biological Station and its staff, oversight of research conducted

at the Station, participating in OTS courses visiting the station, proposal

writing and project management, interaction and outreach with the local

scientific and conservation community, and establishment of an independent

research program. The Station Director reports directly to his/her supervisor

who is the General Director of OTS; the position also coordinates closely

with the President and CEO and the Science Director of OTS.

 

Qualifications & Requirements

 

Ph.D. in ecology, resource management, or a related field, with demonstrated

and relevant academic, research and field experience in an ecology related

field, preferably in Costa Rica or Central America

 

Extensive knowledge of Costa Rica (or Latin America more generally), including

culture, history, politics and governmental operations, and research community

 

Knowledge of Costa Rican Ministry of the Environment's (MINAE) regulations

and process to obtain research permits

 

Three years of demonstrated management experience

 

Demonstrated experience in field research in a tropical environment

 

Knowledge of the U.S. higher education -system and direct experience with

U.S. college students

 

Experience with budget management, project management, legal compliance,

risk management, and conducting or overseeing the successful completion

of academic and/or research programs

 

Knowledge of international environmental research programs and/or organization(s);

ability to promote the involvement of local and international scientists

and NGOs; ability to negotiate with program partners; and demonstrated success

in grant-writing

 

Demonstrated ability to coordinate and be part of an interdisciplinary teaching

and research team

 

Experience in facilitating organization-wide team work among diverse individuals

 

Experience living and working in Central America, preferably Costa Rica

 

Bilingual Spanish/English required

 

Demonstrated commitment to academic excellence in a field research environment

and prior experience working at a field station in either a research or

management capacity

 

Willingness to work flexible hours and live on-site at the Station with

groups of U.S. undergraduate and graduate students and visiting researchers

 

Ability and willingness to travel locally and internationally to support

the Station's administration and initiatives

 

Preferred Qualifications

 

Two years of university teaching and curriculum development experience

 

Five years of demonstrated management experience

 

Experience managing a residential site, preferably a field based research

facility

 

The general responsibilities of the Director include

 

Administration: This position is responsible for oversight of the administrative

functions of the Biological Station including: staff management, Center's

operations, financial and physical plant management, risk management, and

other administrative duties related to the operation of the Biological Station.

Specifically:

 

Provide direction and supervise growth at Palo Verde Biological Station.

 

Supervise the Station Administrators, scientific and academic staff.

 

Work together with HR Department to recruit, train, and retain qualified

staff.

 

Build and support a strong commitment to team work at the Station.

 

Ensure that the Biological Station operates in a manner that is consistent

with local, regional, and national laws, regulations, policies, and procedures

of the OTS Costa Rica Office (CRO) and North America Office (NAO).

 

Set and enforce facility and asset maintenance, repair, and replacement

schedules.

 

Manage activities to minimize ecological impacts and long-term sustainability

of station facilities and research.

 

Develop and implement data management policies in accordance with international

standards.

 

Develop and oversee annual operating and capital budgets.

 

Oversee monthly and yearly accounting cycles, local payroll, and outsourced

accounting and purchasing

 

Work with CRO and NAO Coordinators and staff (Operations, IT, Finances,

Human Resources and Development), to build and maintain a collaborative

relationship throughout the organization through regular and open communication.

 

Develop, implement, and update, as needed, risk management systems including

emergency procedures, evacuation plan, incident reporting, safety audits,

and waivers and releases.

 

Resolve group management concerns and student discipline problems.

 

Represent Palo Verde Biological Station in CIDECAT and other regional management

committees.

 

Assist the Palo Verde Advisory Committee in its efforts to provide independent

assessments and recommendations.

 

Research and Academic Programs: Facilitate the design, implementation, and

evaluation of academic programs; support the faculty with their course development

and research needs; facilitate obtaining research permits for OET and graduate

students who base their research at Palo Verde; facilitate compliance with

all Costa Rican regulations regarding research; apply for grants that promote

the scientific and administrative needs of the Biological Station; represent

the OTS at academic conferences as appropriate.

 

Develop, implement, and update, as needed a 5 year plan for the Station

to build academic and research programs based on consultation with PVAC,

users of the station, and outside academics.

 

Seek and promote research projects that take advantage of the site, habitats

and ecosystems with new ideas, technologies and potential for integration

with years of research results.

 

Ensure ongoing implementation and evaluation of the Station's 5 Year Plan

including adherence to timelines, publication of results, appropriate data

management, and record keeping, retention of partners, achievement of goals

and compliance with Costa Rican laws and regulations regarding research.

 

Maintain the records of research activities, including copies of publications

and research products, and the geographically-referenced database of projects.

 

Work with educational faculty of OTS courses and outside faculty-led groups.

 

Monitor the station's performance throughout the year.

 

Monitor researcher and student support services.

 

Participate in and occasionally lead the station's monitoring and research

projects.

 

Identify and pursue possible funding sources in support of the Biological

Station's research projects.

 

Public Relations: Representation of the Station in local, regional, and

international areas, including fundraising, as requested. Develop and supervise

the Station's outreach efforts within the local community and Costa Rica.

Support NAO & CRO in its recruiting efforts, as requested.

 

Represent the station and OTS in the Costa Rican and international research

communities.

 

Work with OTS staff to create and publish la Selva-specific promotional

materials and outreach.

 

Identify opportunities to incorporate faculty and students into the Costa

Rican academic, research and local community.

 

Oversee outreach at local, regional, and national levels in the following

types of activities: community, networking contacts, universities, research

organizations, businesses, agencies and institutions.

 

At all times, work to ensure good relations between the Biological Station,

SINAC and local community.

 

Additional Duties

 

Perform duties, as assigned by Costa Rica Director General and OTS President

and CEO

 

Any other duty that his/her acting supervisor assigns that is inherent to

the position and his/her capacity.

 

Compensation

 

Commensurate, based on education and experience

 

Application deadline: October 15, 2017