Description of Program:

Ecology Project International is offering positions as a Field Instructor at various locations for the 2019 field season. Our programs are experiential, involving inquiry-based field science through curricula and hands-on participation in conservation and research projects. Programs are offered in a variety of outdoor settings (marine coastal, tropical rainforest, mountain, tropical islands, etc.), are typically 4 to 12 days in length, and are delivered to teens and university groups of local or visiting (mostly U.S.) participants.

Schedule and location of current openings (estimated dates, total work days and schedule vary):

  • Belize Marine Ecology Program: February – July 2019
  • Costa Rica Sea Turtle Ecology Program: February – July 2019
  • Hawaii Island Ecology Program: March – July 2019
  • Mexico (Baja California Sur) Ecology Programs:  January  – May 2019

Job Summary:

An ideal candidate will demonstrate experience and aptitude in environmental education as well as the ecosystems, geographies, and cultures of the program they are applying to work in.  Instructors work as a team with support from program staff to plan, lead, and teach EPI’s curriculum.  Instructors coordinate logistics and opportunities with partners, vendors, group chaperones, and participants to craft an inspirational and educational experience.  They are responsible for establishing and maintaining a safe physical and emotional learning environment.

Responsibilities:

All EPI instructors are expected to:

  • Provide and lead a positive experience for EPI participants in the field.
  • Promote and ensure a safe learning/living environment.
  • Conduct all courses with rigorous attention to risk management.
  • Plan, lead, and deliver quality experiential science/conservation education programs to a diverse group of high school students in a manner that blends both EPI’s and the group’s expectations.
  • Establish and maintain clear communication with teachers, chaperones, participants, co-instructor(s), and EPI office staff.
  • Effectively manage logistical challenges and emergencies on course.
  • Respond to medical emergencies and provide appropriate first aid following EPI’s medical protocols and according to your level of training.
  • Be sensitive to the health and welfare of all participants and meet their developmental needs.
  • Show and maintain a positive attitude.
  • Understand, model, monitor, and enforce EPI policies and protocols.
  • Oversee and/or lead research activities in accordance with local research protocols.
  • Lead conservation service projects in accordance with risk management protocols.
  • Keep course equipment clean, organized, and in good working order and communicate equipment needs to supervisor.
  • Participate in all EPI staff development sessions throughout the season, including staff trainings, staff meetings, staff retreats.  Instructors are required to participate in all staff training and the evaluation/feedback process.
  • Complete pre-arrival online training modules in risk management, EPI’s educational framework, and local ecosystem and research background.
  • Mentor EPI interns to develop their skills and achieve outlined expectations.
  • Promptly complete and file paperwork associated with each course.
  • Participate in EPI’s efforts to share the impacts of our activities on participants and conservation.  This includes helping to photo-document the experiences of EPI participants and completing two Student Impact Stories documenting local student experiences each season.
  • Appropriately deliver growth-oriented feedback and coaching to co-instructors to improve performance, resolve differences, and maintain an open, communicative working relationship.
  • Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Additional responsibilities depending on program location may include:

  • Drive EPI vehicles, including hauling a trailer to transport participants and equipment. (Hawaii program)
  • Assist field interns with food purchasing and meal preparation management. (Hawaii program)
  • Set-up and break-down of tents. kitchens, and other camp infrastructure.
  • Supporting programs with data entry, student management and teaching in urban activities including festivals, symposiums or other events, local student recruitment, and other non-course related tasks.

General Instructor Qualifications:

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in education, biology, ecology, natural sciences, or related field.
  • More than 1-year teaching environmental education or leading groups of youth in the outdoors.
  • Experience leading trips and camping in remote areas, and the ability to teach associated skills.
  • Field research experience.
  • Experience living or working in program location or similar environment.
  • Physical and mental condition to lead courses 24 hrs. each day for up to 18 days with a co-instructor in inclement weather, engaged in a variety of activities that require strength, agility, and endurance.
  • Current Wilderness First Aid Training and CPR certification (WAFA or WFR preferred); individuals not certified at the time of application must be willing to complete this certification before staff training.
  • Able to pass a criminal background check.
  • Must be at least 21 years of age.

Preferred

  • Leave No Trace trainer or master educator certification.
  • Experience with inquiry-based learning programs.
  • Knowledge and familiarity with ecosystems for each program.
  • Willing to work hard and actively participate as a member of a small team of instructors.

Current Openings and Additional Site-Specific Instructor Qualifications:

Belize Marine Ecology Program

Program emphasis is the Caribbean environment and conservation. Research focuses on dolphin and manatee behavior, coral reef and tropical savannah ecology, ocean trash, and coastal development issues.  Terrestrial activities include birding, rainforest/savannah explorations, the use of camera traps to monitor megafauna and cultural engagement.

Preferred

  • Experience supervising water-based activities such as snorkeling.
  • Knowledge and familiarity with Caribbean marine and/ or terrestrial ecology.
  • Marine Research experience.

Costa Rica Sea Turtle Ecology Program

Program research emphasis is sea turtle and tropical rainforest ecology.  Principle research activity involves leading groups for night census monitoring leatherback, green, and hawksbill turtle nests. Habitat restoration activities and tropical forest research are regular program activities.

Required

  • Bilingual with English and Spanish fluency.
  • Physical and mental condition to lead groups during multiple night census activities walking at least 4 miles in sandy terrain for up to 5 hrs.

Preferred

  • Knowledge and familiarity with Costa Rica, especially the Caribbean slope.
  • Research experience with sea turtles and/or rainforest ecology.
  • Experience supervising water-based activities such as snorkeling or white-water rafting.

Hawaii Island Ecology Program

Program emphasis is watershed ecology, sustainable living, and conservation within a cultural context. Groups will participate in land and water-based conservation efforts in support of state and federal endangered species recovery efforts. Students will collect data on invasive plant species and conduct marine-life snorkel transects to collect data for on-going reef monitoring projects that support community-based conservation initiatives. Students will also be immersed in local Hawaiian culture and participate in ecological restoration activities to learn unique perspectives and tools for addressing sustainability challenges.

Required

  • Knowledge and familiarity with marine ecosystems, tropical island ecology & geology.
  • Experience supervising open-water activities such as snorkeling.
  • Experience leading groups hiking in a wilderness setting.

Preferred

  • Lifeguard certification.
  • Marine research experience.
  • Familiarity with Hawaiian culture and language

Mexico Baja Ecology Programs

Program emphasis is on various aspects of the desert and marine ecosystems of the Baja California peninsula including marine invertebrates, marine turtles, reptiles, and whales.  Participants may engage in environmental DNA sampling, whale shark monitoring, and community conservation activities.  Curriculum focus on sustainability, climate change, and being an active, contributing member of the community.

Required

  • Bilingual with English and Spanish fluency.
  • Experience supervising open-water activities such as snorkeling.

Preferred

  • Knowledge and familiarity with marine and desert ecosystems.
  • Marine research experience

Compensation:

●Starting Wage: $67 – $87 USD per day. Previous experience and first-aid certification are taken into consideration. Thereafter, daily pay increases according to a 7-tiered pay scale based on field days worked.

●Lodging may be provided during the field seasons.

●Travel reimbursement program for returning instructors available.

●Professional development and pre-employment training at the field site.  Please note that attendance is mandatory and unpaid during instructor training sessions (lodging and meals are provided).

Questions can be directed to Dave Schimelpfenig at the following email: Dave@ecologyproject.org

To Apply:

Visit the following link: https://ecologyproject.submittable.com/submit