Station Director

~ The Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) is a nonprofit consortium of nearly sixty universities, colleges, and research institutions from around the world. ~

In the early 1960's, scientists from U.S. universities forged working relationships with colleagues at the Universidad de Costa Rica in the interest of strengthening education and research in tropical biology. Intense interest, both in the U.S. and in Costa Rica, led to the founding of OTS in 1963.

OTS was founded to provide leadership in education, research and the responsible use of natural resources in the tropics. To this end, OTS offers intensive field courses for undergraduates, graduate students, and natural resource professionals in tropical biology and related disciplines in Costa Rica and South Africa. 

Position Overview

The Station Director position duties include: Oversight of the management of Palo Verde Biological Station and its staff, oversight of research conducted at the Station, participating in OTS courses visiting the station, proposal writing and project management, interaction and outreach with the local scientific and conservation community, and establishment of an independent research program. The Station Director reports directly to his/her supervisor who is the General Director of OTS; the position also coordinates closely with the President and CEO and the Science Director of OTS.

Responsibilities

Administration:

• This position is responsible for oversight of the administrative functions of the Biological Station including: staff management, Center's operations, financial and physical plant management, risk management, and other administrative duties related to the operation of the Biological Station.

Specifically:

• Provide direction and supervise growth at Palo Verde Biological Station.
• Supervise the Station Administrators, scientific and academic staff.
• Work together with HR Department to recruit, train, and retain qualified staff.
• Build and support a strong commitment to team work at the Station.
• Ensure that the Biological Station operates in a manner that is consistent with local, regional, and national laws, regulations, policies, and procedures of the OTS Costa Rica Office (CRO) and North America Office (NAO).
• Set and enforce facility and asset maintenance, repair, and replacement schedules.
• Manage activities to minimize ecological impacts and long-term sustainability of station facilities and research.
• Develop and implement data management policies in accordance with international standards.
• Develop and oversee annual operating and capital budgets.
• Oversee monthly and yearly accounting cycles, local payroll, and outsourced accounting and purchasing.
• Work with CRO and NAO Coordinators and staff (Operations, IT, Finances, Human Resources and Development), to build and maintain a collaborative relationship throughout the organization through regular and open communication.
• Develop, implement, and update, as needed, risk management systems including emergency procedures, evacuation plan, incident reporting, safety audits, and waivers and releases.
• Resolve group management concerns and student discipline problems.
• Represent Palo Verde Biological Station in CIDECAT and other regional management committees.
• Assist the Palo Verde Advisory Committee in its efforts to provide independent assessments and recommendations.

Research and Academic Programs:

• Facilitate the design, implementation, and evaluation of academic programs; support the faculty with their course development and research needs; facilitate obtaining research permits for OET and graduate students who base their research at Palo Verde; facilitate compliance with all Costa Rican regulations regarding research; apply for grants that promote the scientific and administrative needs of the Biological Station; represent the OTS at academic conferences as appropriate.
• Develop, implement, and update, as needed a 5 year plan for the Station to build academic and research programs based on consultation with PVAC, users of the station, and outside academics.
• Seek and promote research projects that take advantage of the site, habitats and ecosystems with new ideas, technologies and potential for integration with years of research results.
• Ensure ongoing implementation and evaluation of the Station's 5 Year Plan including adherence to timelines, publication of results, appropriate data management, and record keeping, retention of partners, achievement of goals and compliance with Costa Rican laws and regulations regarding research.
• Maintain the records of research activities, including copies of publications and research products, and the geographically-referenced database of projects.
• Work with educational faculty of OTS courses and outside faculty-led groups.
• Monitor the station's performance throughout the year.
• Monitor researcher and student support services.
• Participate in and occasionally lead the station's monitoring and research projects.
• Identify and pursue possible funding sources in support of the Biological Station's research projects.

Public Relations:

• Representation of the Station in local, regional, and international areas, including fundraising, as requested. Develop and supervise the Station's outreach efforts within the local community and Costa Rica. Support NAO & CRO in its recruiting efforts, as requested.
• Represent the station and OTS in the Costa Rican and international research communities.
• Work with OTS staff to create and publish la Selva-specific promotional materials and outreach.
• Identify opportunities to incorporate faculty and students into the Costa Rican academic, research and local community.
• Oversee outreach at local, regional, and national levels in the following types of activities: community, networking contacts, universities, research organizations, businesses, agencies and institutions.
• At all times, work to ensure good relations between the Biological Station, SINAC and local community.

Additional Duties:

• Perform duties, as assigned by Costa Rica Director General and OTS President and CEO.
• Any other duty that his/her acting supervisor assigns that is inherent to the position and his/her capacity.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in ecology, resource management, or a related field, with demonstrated and relevant academic, research and field experience in an ecology related field, preferably in Costa Rica or Central America.
• Extensive knowledge of Costa Rica (or Latin America more generally), including culture, history, politics and governmental operations, and research community.
• Knowledge of Costa Rican Ministry of the Environment's (MINAE) regulations and process to obtain research permits.
• 3 years of demonstrated management experience.
• Demonstrated experience in field research in a tropical environment.
• Knowledge of the U.S. higher education -system and direct experience with U.S. college students.
• Experience with budget management, project management, legal compliance, risk management, and conducting or overseeing the successful completion of academic and/or research programs.
• Knowledge of international environmental research programs and/or organization(s); ability to promote the involvement of local and international scientists and NGOs; ability to negotiate with program partners; and demonstrated success in grant-writing.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and be part of an interdisciplinary teaching and research team.
• Experience in facilitating organization-wide team work among diverse individuals.
• Experience living and working in Central America, preferably Costa Rica.
• Bilingual Spanish/English required.
• Demonstrated commitment to academic excellence in a field research environment and prior experience working at a field station in either a research or management capacity.
• Willingness to work flexible hours and live on-site at the Station with groups of U.S. undergraduate and graduate students and visiting researchers.
• Ability and willingness to travel locally and internationally to support the Station's administration and initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2 years of university teaching and curriculum development experience.
• 5 years of demonstrated management experience.
• Experience managing a residential site, preferably a field based research facility.

Compensation: Commensurate, based on education and experience.

To Apply

Please click "Apply on Company Website" below to upload your cover letter, curriculum vitae with list of 2 references and salary expectation.

Application deadline: October 15, 2017

~ OTS is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. ~