Research Assistant for Green Turtle Program

We are a not-for-profit organization that ensures the survival of sea turtles through research; education; training; advocacy and habitat protection.

We are looking for Research Assistants (RAs) for our 2025 Green Turtle Program. RAs will be trained in sea turtle monitoring techniques by; and work under the supervision of; the STC Field Coordinators. The season is divided into two time periods; June – August and August – November; with eight RAs in each time period. The RA team will be made up of individuals from several countries from around the world; with emphasis on Latin America and the Caribbean. The primary responsibilities of the RAs will include nightly tagging patrols; morning track surveys; nest monitoring and excavation. RAs are responsible for tagging nesting turtles; collecting biometric data from females; recording nesting activity during track surveys; and other pertinent data collection.

Monitoring activities during the Green Turtle Program are carried out along 8 km (5 miles) of nesting beach. RAs can expect to work very long hours; throughout the day and night; often with little sleep. Beach patrols require walking many kilometers in extremely soft sand and in very extreme weather conditions; therefore an excellent physical condition is a requirement for the RA positions.

RAs are also involved in training short-term paying volunteers in all aspects of the monitoring protocol and supervising volunteer groups during beach patrols. The RAs will also be required to develop and participate in various environmental awareness and educational activities with members of the Tortuguero community; and to assist in the STC Visitor Center to provide information about the work of STC to members of the public.

To apply; please fill out the online application form (available on our website) and send to Dr. Roldan Valverde at roldan@conserveturtles.org; together with: a cover letter explaining why you are interested in a Research Assistant position; details of any relevant experience and a statement of your level of proficiency in English and Spanish; a CV or resume with other pertinent information; names and e-mail contact details of three professional referees.

A total of 16 research assistants (RAs) are needed. The season is divided into two time periods; June – August and August – November; with 8 RAs in each time period.