This is a long term position, options for moving into a paid position very likely! Start date June 23.2010
The work carried out by Global Vision International (GVI) Costa Rica takes a holistic approach to the conservation of the area, helping to monitor every ecosystem of this incredibly diverse area: forest, canal, beach and sea.
As with all conservation, trained personnel, resources and accurate information are essential to make and carry out informed decisions and our programmes have been designed by our award winning team for just this purpose.
During your time, you can gain vital skills and experience; living and working as part of our research team in a remote environment to attain experience essential for future work in the field of conservation or beyond.
We have recently set up a new biological station inside Tortuguero National Park. This unique opportunity makes us the only organisation or group of people to be living inside this protected area. As such, we try to minimise our impact in the way we live and conduct research; observing, recording and being as non-invasive in our work and daily lives as possible.
As a result of our reasonably remote location, the main responsibility of this position is to provide assistance in continuous volunteer management and training, with a sound basis in GVI's Health and Safety regulations and project protocols.
Staff are also required to assist with the planning and execution of the biological projects supporting the local partners, including the Costa Rican Ministry of Environment (MINAE)where possible. Current biological projects include monitoring of sea turtle nesting, jaguar presence and predation of sea turtles, aquatic bird monitoring, camera trapping, mammal studies and other less intensive projects.
Good chance of promotion for 2010 for those candidates with excellent management experience and skills.
Finally all staff will be expected to participate in all projects, with increased responsibilty in certain areas. They are also expected to assist in all aspects of safely and efficiently running the operations of the expedition from weekly shopping for the expedition food to finances, logistical help to scheduling surveys each week for staff and volunteers. Good people management, organizational,and time management skills are essential.
Responsibileties:
Assist in continuous volunteer management with a sound basis in GVI's health and safety regulations.
Provide leadership and training in tropical sciences, conservation and field survey techniques to up to 24 untrained project volunteers.
Rigorous project management, including protocol management, data management and report writing.
Help plan and execute the biological projects, including solid data collection.
Support local partners as well as local, national and international collaborators.
Provide logistical support to the Field Coordinator in the day-to-day execution of the programme.
Communication in Spanish and English.
Required qualifications:
Good Spanish language skills.
BSc or equivalent experience in one of the following fields: conservation biology, wildlife management, biology, zoology, tropical ecology, entomology, herpetology, botany, or other relevant scientific discipline.
Excellent people management skills are essential.
Demonstrated field study experience and international volunteer management experience / experience working with native English-speakers.
Current First Aid qualification.
Ability to work as part of a team and with minimal supervision.
Ability to provide leadership and constant management of volunteers (up to 24).
Willingness to accept basic communal living and very long hours of work in hot & humid/wet conditions.
Willingness to work during the day and night (during turtle season) for 10-week phases.
Must be passionate about wildlife and knowledgeable about current environmental issues.
Full command of MS Office package.
Desired qualifications:
Boat handling and boat driving license (equivalent of RYA Powerboat level 2) highly desirable
Working knowledge of canal bird identification
Working knowledge of other animal groups
EFR instructor qualification
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