Requirements
All coordinator positions are only open to people who have had previous experience working with sea turtles and have extensive knowledge of patrolling, scientific data collection and hatchery work, can speak fluent Spanish and English, and have excellent leadership skills. All project sites are very remote, thus a Coordinator must have a high degree of independence, responsibility and commitment. Coordinators are expected to maintain a friendly relationship with all other project volunteers and research assistants, in addition to members from local communities, as positive social relationships are crucial to each projects’ success. All project activities are conducted using the help of volunteer program participants and/or research assistants, depending on the project. Coordinators are expected to orientate and direct project workers upon their arrival and motivate them for the duration of their stay with the project. Project coordinators are responsible for the overall success of the project.
Specific requirements for each project:
Bejuco: must be willing to live in/with a fishing community in a rustic environment. Can resolve minor problems independently and keep a positive attitude at all times. Coordinators at this site are also responsible for coordinating with the community in planning patrols and project logistics. Must be fluent in Spanish. There is no volunteer program at this project.
Corozalito: must have excellent people skills to interact with the local community, organize work within the local school and manage volunteers and research assistants at the project. Coordinators at this site are also responsible for project logistics and organizing and delegating daily household duties. Must be fluent in Spanish. There is no volunteer program at this project.
Costa de Oro and San Miguel: the project coordinator must interacts with the local community, promoting the conservation of sea turtles at this beach. They must also be capable of managing a varied demographic of up to 15 volunteers at a time, supervising all daily schedules, including household duties. Must have previous experience managing volunteers and basic Spanish.
Responsibilities
Training new volunteers in all aspects of the turtle work:
Presentation upon arrival explaining past and present work
How to take and record data accurately on patrols
Finding turtle tracks at night
Finding nests
Identifying different nesting events
Replicating nests
How to work within the hatchery
Identify when a nest is going to hatch
How to carry out nest excavations
Releasing baby turtles
Volunteer management: Coordinators are responsible for receiving all volunteers to the project site; you will be expected to welcome each volunteer and show them around the station house. Coordinators must divide the work equally among all project participants and ensure that each participant receives one day off a week. Managing volunteers is often the hardest part of the job as we receive high number of volunteers all from different areas of the world with different personalities, Coordinators must ensure that each volunteer is looked after for the duration of their stay, and are always on hand to answer any questions they may have. General project responsibilities:
Maintenance of the station house
Maintenance of all project equipment
Updating food lists and ordering fresh fruit and vegetables
Daily imputing of all data from patrols and hatchery
Patrol schedules
Cleaning and cooking schedules
Coordinating arrival and departure of volunteers
Promoting the involvement of the local communities within the project and initiating community activities
Taking tourists out on patrol
Coordinators must report back to project directors regularly, giving updates on the overall health of the project
Benefits/Costs
Project Coordinators will receive a $200/month stipend and have their food and lodging expenses covered. Travel expenses are not covered. Coordinators get one day off per week, and two 5-day vacations, scheduled to renew their visa (see below for dates).
Position Duration
Dates will be finalized by Febrary 28th, 2017
Costa de Oro & San Miguel mid-June 2017 to mid-December 2017
Bejuco & Corozalito July 1st, 2018 to February 28th, 2018
Enlace.