Costa Rica Field InstructorJob Announcement**Description of Program**:Our programs are experiential, involving inquiry-based field science through curricula, hands on participation in conservation, research projects and field-based partnerships between experts and students. Programs are residential from 4 to 12 days in length and are offered in a variety of outdoor settings (marine coastal, tropical rainforest).**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 logístical 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.**Qualifications**:- Required:_- Bachelor's degree in education, biology, ecology, natural science, or related field.- More than 1 year teaching environmental education and outdoors leadership with groups of teens and/or young adults.- Experience leading trips in remote areas.- Experience living or working in Costa Rica or in a similar environment.- Physical and mental condition to lead courses 24 hrs. each day for up to 12 days with a co-instructor in inclement weather, engage in a variety of activities that require strength, agility, and endurance.- Able to pass criminal background check.- Must be at least 21 years of age.- Fluent English- Preferred: _- Master's degree in related field.- Experience with inquiry-based learning programs.- Knowledge and familiarity with Costa Rica ecosystems, especially the Caribbean slope.- Research experience with sea turtles and/or rainforest ecology.- Bilingual with English and Spanish fluency**Schedule and Location**:- Costa Rica Sea Turtle Program runs from February to August 2020 (estimate dates)**Compensation**_: _**- According to the EPI instructor pay scale ($67 - $124 USD per day, depending on experience).Previous experience in taken into consideration- Professional development and training at field site. Please note that the attendance is mandatory and unpaid during instructor training sessions.
