Field Instructor

~ 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’s 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 our website.

Position Overview

Ecology Project International is offering positions as a Field Instructor at various locations for the 2018 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.) and are 4 to 18 days in length.

Schedule and location of current openings (estimated dates):

• Belize Marine Ecology Program: February – August 2018
• Costa Rica Sea Turtle Ecology Program: March – August 2018
• Ecuador Amazon to Andes and Galapagos Island Ecology Programs: February – August 2018
• Hawaii Island Ecology Program: March – August 2018

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 and 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.
• Assist field interns with food purchasing and meal preparation management.
• 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.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, biology, ecology, natural sciences, or related field.
• More than 1 year teaching environmental education and leading groups of youth in the outdoors.
• Experience leading trips and camping in remote areas, and 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 and CPR certification (WFR preferred); individuals not certified at time of application must be willing to complete this certification before staff training.
• Legally able to work in program country.
• Able to pass criminal background check.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in related field.
• 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.

Additional Site-Specific Instructor Qualifications

Costa Rica Sea Turtle Ecology Program:

Program research emphasis is sea turtle and tropical rainforest ecology. Principle research activity involves night census looking for leatherback, green and hawksbill turtle nests. Habitat restoration activities, tropical forest research, canopy tours, and white water rafting are also regular activities.

Required:

• Bilingual with English and Spanish fluency.

Preferred:

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

Ecuador – Amazon to Andes Program:

Program focus is on Andean Bear and Tapir research using radio telemetry. Participants will explore Ecuador from the Amazon basin to the spine of the Andes Mountains.

Required:

• Bilingual with English and Spanish fluency.

Preferred:

• Knowledge and familiarity with Amazon rainforest environment.
• Experience leading groups in high altitude environment (over 3000 m.a.s.l).
• Research experience with mammals or rainforest.
• Commercial rafting experience.

Ecuador – Galapagos Island Ecology Program:

Program focus is on Galapagos Tortoise and Marine ecology. Participants will engage in terrestrial tortoise monitoring and marine life investigations.

Required:

• Bilingual with English and Spanish fluency.

Preferred:

• Knowledge and familiarity with Galapagos environment.
• Experience supervising water based activities such as snorkeling.
• Research experience with reptiles or amphibians.

Belize Marine Ecology Program:

Program emphasis is the Caribbean environment and conservation. Research focuses on dolphin behavior, ocean trash, or shark and ray studies. Participants look for the invasive species lionfish and engage in marine transects. Terrestrial rainforest activities include birding, the use of camera traps to monitor mega fauna 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.

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

Compensation

• According to the EPI instructor pay scale ($67 - $124 USD per day, depending on experience). Previous experience is taken into consideration.
• Lodging may be provided during the field seasons.
• Travel reimbursement program for returning instructors available.
• Professional development and training at field site. Please note that attendance is mandatory and unpaid during instructor training sessions (lodging and meals are provided).