Sea Turtle Protection Research Assistant - Costa Rica

As in the rest of the world, Costa Rica's populations of sea turtles are declining at an alarming rate. These majestic creatures have a slow reproduction rate, making it difficult for difficult species to recover from slaughter by poachers and fishermen and increasing the real possibility of extinction.

This is an opportunity to go beyond simply volunteering with turtles, and conduct scientific research, manage teams of volunteers and get involved in serious conservation work. There is also scope to become a Research Coordinator, managing teams of interns in their work. If you are looking for a career in conservation, this is a strong start.

You will be assigned to work with another research assistant during your placement. Your responsibilities vary from site to site, but generally you will be coordinating the work of other project members, recording of all technical data, communicating with project staff and ensuring the overall success of the project. All project sites are very remote, thus a high degree of independence, responsibility and commitment is expected from RCs.

Sea turtle work includes:
* Conducting 3-4 hour night patrols,
* Identifying, measuring and tagging all adult turtles
* Relocation of nests into hatcheries or safe places on the beach
* Daily early morning walks to count turtle tracks and check status of surrounding nests
* Monitor hatcheries around the clock
* Release hatchlings
* Conduct post hatching nest excavations.

Beside sea turtle duties, other responsibilities (depending on site) may include administrating food supplies and organizing cooking duties, as well as camp/hatchery upkeep and construction, which can include carrying heavy logs, shoveling sand, plant control and other strenuous physical activities. You must also maintain a friendly relationship with all other project volunteers and research assistants as well as members from local communities as positive social relationships are crucial to project success.

All project activities are conducted using the help of the volunteer program, depending on the project. You are expected to orientate and direct project workers upon their arrival and motivate them for the duration of their stay with the project. Interns are assigned to work at each project site. Duties will be coordinated by each project coordinator.

Beside sea turtle duties, you will need to partake in food administration and cooking duties, as well as station upkeep, which can include cleaning, shoveling sand, carrying heavy objects, plant control and other strenuous physical activities. It is crucial that selected Interns bring a positive attitude to the project, work well within a team, be adaptable to a variety of situations, and be prepared to partake in ALL aspects of the project.

You will be given easy to follow instructions on getting from San Jose international airport to the project HQ. Alterbnatively we can arrange for airport pickup for an additional cost.

You accommodation will depend upon which project you are placed in, but you will either be staying in the Project HQ building, or in private cabanas on the beach. Our project coordinators will make sure you are confortable and safe. Contact us for further details.

Preference will be given to potential applicants that meet the following requirements:

*  Knowledge of Spanish
*  Independent, reliable and responsible. 
*  Motivated, positive and adaptable to unexpected situations. 
*  Ability to undertake physical labor during night and day in heat and rain. 
*  Comfortable in an isolated setting and working in a team setting. 
*  Previous experience working in the outdoors (especially with sea turtles). 
*  Strong interpersonal communication skills. 
*  Advanced student or recent graduate in biological sciences or related fields. 
*  Available for the duration of the position for which applying.

General Requirements

Fee:

 $200 / $400 USD Project Fee per month (depending upon where you are placed) + £249 GBP Placement Fee
 

What's Included:

Project Fee includes all food, accommodation, orientation, 24 hour support and project activities

We charge a flat, one-off Placement Fee of £249 GBP per person per project. This covers our costs for promoting the project and providing our services. We offer full pre-departure support (for all necessary flights, visas and vaccinations) and ongoing assistance throughout your placement.
 

What's not included:

Flights, airport pickup, insurance, visas (if applicable) and vaccinations. Full assistance will be provided in getting all these arranged.