CREMA AND TURTLE TRAX GETTING READY TO RECEIVE FIELD COORDINATORS PROPOSALS FOR 2020-2021 SEASON

Seeking for Field Coordinators

CREMA Project Coordinators 2020-2021 

Period

San Miguel- June 1st to December 15th
Costa de Oro- June 1st to December 15th
Bejuco- June 1st to January 29th
Corozalito- June 1st to January 29th

San Miguel and Costa de Oro are projects with a variable number of volunteers. Coordinators of these projects must be sociable and be willing to work with a constantly changing team.
Bejuco Project is more rustic and strongly involved with the local community.
Corozalito is the most physically demanding project due to the characteristics of its beach.

Location

Positions are available at our four projects located on the Southern Nicoya Peninsula, Guanacaste, in Costa Rica´s Pacific:

1. Costa de Oro
2. San Miguel
3. Bejuco
4. Corozalito

Background Information

The Rescue Center for Endangered Marine Species (CREMA) runs four sea turtle conservation projects on nesting beaches of the Southern Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica. The projects are open annually during the Olive Ridley nesting season. Olive Ridleys are the principal species that nest on these beaches, but there is also sporadic nesting of Green, Leatherback, and Hawksbill sea turtles. Egg poaching is the principal threat to the nesting sea turtles on these beaches. Secondary threats include nest predation, plastic pollution, beach development and tourist traffic. In the beaches CREMA operates we use a multifaceted approach for the conservation of sea turtles, including; beach patrols, relocating nests into project hatcheries, environmental education and awareness with the local community, generating job opportunities for the locals and promoting sustainable tourism development. The Project Coordinator oversees supervising Local Monitors International Research Assistants and short-term Volunteers. Coordinators will also be in charge of leading night patrols and morning censuses, data entry, hatchery supervision, organizing environmental and English classes with the community among other duties.

Duties

Principal responsibilities

Coordinate and supervise the activities of Research Assistants, Volunteers and Local monitors
Lead 3-4 hour night patrols and morning censuses
Collecting biometric data and tagging nesting turtles
Photo ID and Tissue sample collection
Building and maintaining project hatcheries
Hatchery monitoring and nest excavations
Hatchling release
Work together with local monitors
Visit other projects when necessary
Plan and implement environmental and English classes with the community
Maintenance of the station house
Database entry
Prepare weekly schedules
Training volunteers
Maintain professional, open communication with staff and volunteers 
Attend all scheduled staff meetings with the Research and Field Supervisor and the Research and Internship Program Manager
Conduct ongoing supply and equipment inventory
Coordinators will be monthly supervised by CREMA´s Research and Field Supervisor.

Requirements

Coordinators are expected to stay at the project site for the entire period for which they are selected. Preference will be given to potential applicants that meet the following requirements:
BS or Master´s in biological sciences or related fields.
Conversational and written Spanish and English (Obligatory to all the projects)
Previous experience working with sea turtles or conducting field research
Previous experience working in environmental education
Leadership skills
Independent, reliable and responsible
Ability to accept and give feedback
Motivated and positive
Able to adapt to unexpected situations and unfamiliar cultures
Able to undertake physical labor during night and day in extreme weather conditions while maintaining energy and stamina
Previous experience working in a team as leader
Strong interpersonal, communication, decision making, logistical and organizational skills
Comfortable working in the outdoors or in isolated settings

Since many of the responsibilities are physically demanding, Coordinators are expected to be in good physical and medical shape. Also, since our projects are in isolated locations where access to medical treatment can be challenging, participants must disclose any medical conditions or possible risks before confirming their placement with our program.

Benefits/Costs

Meals and accommodation will be covered by CREMA during the length of the project.
Coordinators will be given a stipend of 125,000 Costa Rican colones per month. This stipend is designed to cover living costs.

Additional Contact Information

Cover letter explaining how your experience and skills meet the requirements for this
position and specifying project preference
Up-to-date CV/Resume
List of the email addresses of at least 3 references
Please send applications to the following email addresses:
cmejiasbal@gmail.com; danielarojas159@gmail.com

Important note

This position is no longer available for the 2020-2021 season