Research Assistants for Sea Turtle Nesting Conservation Program Costa Rica
Description
Research Assistants are trained to conduct and lead nightly 3-4 hour beach patrols, in which they take biometric data from nesting sea turtles, tag their front flippers, and move their nests to a protected area if there is one available. Other responsibilities vary among the projects, and include the following:
- Assisting in the training of new volunteers
- Leading volunteers and tourists on night patrols
- Conducting morning censuses to check the status of in situ nests
- Recording physical data such as precipitation levels and temperatures
- Building and maintaining the project hatchery
- Monitoring the hatchery during the night and day for emerging hatchlings and intruding predators
- Excavation of nests and collecting data on unhatched eggs
- Community environmental education activities
- Assist in gathering content for digital publications (social media platforms)
- Maintaining and cleaning the station house.
Research Assistants are responsible for assisting the Project Coordinator with all aspects of the project, including managing volunteers, leading night patrols, organizing community environmental education activities, and with the station house maintenance. Although there is an important research aspect integrated in the position; most of these projects are financed via a volunteer program held by Turtle Trax S.A. It is essential that both coordinators and research assistants make a conscious effort to make the volunteers feel included and part of the research team as well as provide them with a positive experience during their stay.
Preference will be given to potential applicants that meet the following requirements:
- Advanced university student or recent graduate in biological sciences or related fields
- Conversational in Spanish and English
- Independent, reliable, and responsible
- Motivated and positive
- Able to adapt to unexpected situations and unfamiliar cultures
- Able to undertake physical labor, both during night and day in extreme weather conditions
- Respectful and curios to other cultures
- Experience working within a team
- Strong interpersonal communication skills
- Comfortable working in the outdoors or isolated settings
- Previous experience with sea turtles or conducting field research.
Since many of the research assistants’ responsibilities are physically demanding, they are expected to be in good physical and medical shape. Also, since our projects are in isolated locations where access to medical treatment can be challenging, participants must disclose any medical conditions or possible risks before confirming their placement with our program. It is important to keep in mind the frequent changes in entry requirements and guidelines from the Costa Rican government and the Health Ministry according to the status of COVID-19 in the country.
Benefits/Costs
Research Assistants (RAs) pay $180 (SM-CD) and $120 (CZ) per week that covers three-basic meals and accommodation for the entire internship. The minimum period is 8 weeks. Turtle Trax and CREMA provide a training workshop upon arrival. This includes several lectures on current sea turtle conservation research topics, safety training, team building activities, and field research training
All RAs have the option of participating in the Independent Research Project Program, in which they can complete a project with their team during the internship with the assistance of one of CREMA’s biologists. All interns must follow the Turtle Trax Program Rules for the entire duration of their placement. Failure to do so results in immediate termination of placement without refund.
Application
To apply, send cover letter, specifying which period and location options you would prefer (presented as full name-letter), Resume/CV (presented as full name-CV), list of the email addresses of at least 3 references. Please submit a resume, cover letter, and three references to gracielapp@cremacr.org, ninive.espinoza@cremacr.org and nestingresearch@gmail.com. Please make the subject line “RESEARCH ASSISTANT POSITION_ (your last name)” so it does not get lost. Candidates who do not meet the skills and qualifications laid out in this document will not be considered.
Details
Organisation:
Centro de Rescate de Especies Marinas Amenazadas (CREMA)
Location:
Guanacaste (Pacifico)
Qualifications/Skills:
Advanced university student or recent graduate in biological sciences or related fields. Minimum age: 20 years. Able to communicate in English and Spanish (conversational) – not excluding. Able to adapt to unexpected situations and unfamiliar cultures. Applicants must be available to work full dates (any term described above). Applicants must be reliable, responsible, self-starters, and have a drive for working in a team. Must have strong interpersonal, communication, decision making, logistical and organizational skills. Must feel comfortable working in the outdoors and/or isolated settings, be in a good physical condition (be able to lift 45Kg [100 pounds], walk on soft sand, etc) and able to undertake physical labour activities during night and day in extreme weather conditions while maintaining energy and stamina. Applicants must be able to accept and give feedback and maintain a motivated and positive environment. Reports to: CREMA’s Sea Turtle Nesting Supervisors (Field and Research) and Project Coordinators.
Dates of program:
Term 1 San Miguel and Costa de Oro: 07th July – 17th September. Term 2 San Miguel and Costa de Oro: 15th August – 25 October. Term 3 San Miguel and Costa de Oro: 05th October – 15th December. Term 1 Corozalito: 07th July – 21st September. Term 2 Corozalito: 25th September – 5th December. Term 3 Corozalito: 21st November – 31 January 2025
Duration of program:
Approximately 3 months per period
Age requirement:
Adults of both sexes 20+
Cost:
Research assistants are expected to stay at the project site for the entire term for which they are selected. RAs pay an US$1200-1800 fee that covers three basic meals and accommodation for the entire internship. Turtle Trax and CREMA provide a training workshop upon arrival. This includes several lectures on current sea turtle conservation research topics, safety training, team building activities, and field research training. All RAs have the option of participating in the Independent Research Project Program, in which they can complete a project with their team during the internship with the assistance of one of CREMA’s biologists. All interns must follow the Turtle Trax/CREMA Program Rules for the entire duration of their placement. Failure to do so results in immediate termination of placement without refund.
Other information:
San Miguel and Costa de Oro: these two beaches host several hundred nesting olive ridley sea turtles per season, with occasional nesting of green turtles. These project sites have a variable number of volunteers and visitors. San Miguel and Costa de Oro participants must be sociable, emphatic, resilient and be willing to work with a constantly changing team. Corozalito: this beach hosts several thousand nesting olive ridley sea turtles per season and occasional nesting of green, hawksbill, and leatherback turtles. It is the most physically demanding project mostly due to the characteristics of its nesting activity. Also require a strong social skill to interact with the communitarian touristic activities.
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