*About Ecology Project International: *
EPI is an international non-profit organization dedicated to addressing
critical conservation issues through field-based partnerships between local
experts and high school students. We engage adolescent youth from local
communities and visiting youth from other regions in applied hands-on
science and conservation as they learn about and help protect threatened
species and habitats. Through EPI=E2=80=99s programs in five countries throughout
the U.S. and Latin America, teens are inspired and empowered to engage in
conservation efforts at home and worldwide to become the next generation of
conservation leaders. More information can be found at
www.ecologyproject.org
*About Pacuare Reserve: *
Established in 1989 by a United Kingdom charity, and transferred to Ecology
Project International (EPI) in 2016, its 800 hectares of tropical
rainforest on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica have a high density of
wildlife and its 6km (4 miles) of beach provides the most important nesting
site in the country for the giant leatherback turtles and is home to the
only truly accessible breeding colony of Agami herons in the Caribbean and
northern South America. More information can be found at
www.pacuarereserve.org <https://ank891.wixsite.com/pacuare>
*Job Summary: *
Research Assistants (RA) will be trained in sea turtle monitoring
techniques and will work under the supervision of the Research
Coordinators. RAs will work mainly with adult Leatherback turtles, adult
Green turtles, and Leatherback hatchling. Some Hawksbills may arrive to
the beach but it=E2=80=99s not very common. The primary responsibilities of the
RAs will include leading night beach censuses, conducting morning beach
surveys, tagging and collecting data and relocating and excavating nests.
Monitoring activities are carried out along 6 km of nesting beach. RAs will
be in charge of leading volunteers and/or groups of students while on the
beach, explaining the beach protocol and supervising them on the process of
data collection. RAs are expected to participate in other activities
carried out by the Reserve like personal research projects, environmental
education activities, talks and workshops with students and volunteers,
beach cleaning, recycling projects, or other needs of the station. RAs are
expected to work long hours throughout day and/or night, often with little
sleep. Beach censuses require walking on soft sand and occasionally under
the rain, therefore, a good physical condition is a requirement for the RA
position.
*Qualifications: *
*Required:*
=C2=B7 Graduates of or close to graduating in Biology, Environmental
science or a related field
=C2=B7 Able to communicate both in Spanish and in English
=C2=B7 In good physical condition and able to walk long hours on soft
sand, sometimes under difficult conditions
=C2=B7 Be motivated to work in a remote environment under difficult
conditions (rain, mosquitoes=E2=80=A6) with irregular sleeping hours and restricted
electricity availability.
=C2=B7 Be open-minded, flexible and keep a positive attitude to unexpected
situations and be willing to live and work with a small group of people
*Preferred: *
=C2=B7 Previous experiences working with sea turtles
=C2=B7 Previous experience working and living in Costa Rica, specially in
the Caribbean coast
=C2=B7 Previous experience working in a multicultural team, since RAs come
from different nationalities and they will be working with the local staff
*Schedule and Location:*
February 20 to July 31, 2018. Pacuare Reserve, North Caribbean coast, Costa
Rica
*Compensation:*
RA Positions are voluntary and selected candidates are expected to plan and
finance their own travel to and from the Reserve. RAs will receive 3 meals
a day and basic shared accommodations for the duration of their time
working for Pacuare Reserve.
*Questions can be directed to:*
Roc=C3=ADo Valent=C3=ADn-Gamazo, *rocio.valentin-gamazo@ecologyproject.org
<rocio.valentin-gamazo@ecologyproject.org>*
*To apply*:
Application period closes November 5th; they will be reviewed when
received. Applications can only be submitted electronically. Please, submit
the following information in the next page:
<https://ecologyproject.submittable.com/submit/9e954a04-91f5-4c16-9f91-b59bd04cecb9/research-assistant-pacuare-reserve>
https://ecologyproject.submittable.com/submit/9e954a04-91f5-4c16-9f91-b59bd04cecb9/research-assistant-pacuare-reserve
-A CV or resume with pertinent information
-A cover letter explaining why you are interested in the Research Assistant
position, details of any relevant experiences and a statement of your level
of proficiency in English and Spanish
-Name and email contact of one to three professional references