CREMA is seeking scientists to coordinate sea turtle nesting projects for the 2021-2022 season.

 Project Coordinators

The Sea Turtle Nesting Conservation Program from Centro de Rescate de Especies Marinas Amenazadas (CREMA) and Turtle Trax, S. A aims to research and conserve the species of sea turtles that nest in the Southern Nicoya Peninsula and the marine biodiversity that surrounds this coast. We are seeking highly motivated, early-career scientists to work with us. Successful candidates will be actively engaged with an exciting community of volunteers, students, researchers, and local members wrapped in the magnificent mantra of the Costa Rican Pura Vida.

Location

Positions are available at our four projects located on the Southern Nicoya Peninsula, Guanacaste, in Costa Rica’s Pacific:

1. Costa de Oro
2. San Miguel
3. Bejuco
4. Corozalito

– San Miguel and Costa de Oro are projects with a variable number of volunteers and visitors. Coordinators of these projects must be sociable and be willing to work with a constantly changing team. The only project site with two Coordinators is San Miguel, a Research Coordinator, and a Volunteer Coordinator; both will have the same responsibilities regarding research duties and overall project organization, with the exception of volunteer management, which will be the responsibility of the Volunteer Coordinator.

– Bejuco Project is more rustic and strongly involved with the local fishing community.

– Corozalito is the most physically demanding project due to the characteristics of its nesting activity.

Period

San Miguel – June 21st to December 15th, 2021

Costa de Oro – June 21st to December 15th, 2021

Bejuco – June 21st to December 15th, 2021

Corozalito – June 21st, 2021 to January 30th, 2022

Background Information

The Rescue Centre for Endangered Marine Species (CREMA) runs a sea turtle conservation program at four project sites or nesting beaches in the Southern Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica. This program opens annually during the Olive Ridley nesting season (June – January). Olive Ridleys are the most frequent and main species that nest on these beaches, but there is also sporadic nesting of Green, Leatherback, and Hawksbill sea turtles. Egg poaching is a major threat to the nesting sea turtles on these beaches. Secondary threats include nest predation, plastic pollution, beach development and erosion, and tourist traffic. In the beaches, CREMA operates a multifaceted approach for the conservation of sea turtles, including beach monitoring (night patrols and morning censuses), nests relocation into project hatcheries, environmental education, and awareness with the local community, generating job opportunities for the locals and promoting sustainable tourism development. The Project Coordinator supervises Local Monitors, International Research Assistants/Interns, and short-term Volunteers. Coordinators will also oversee night patrols and morning censuses, data entry, hatchery supervision, and management, organizing/planning environmental and English classes (the latter only if/when possible) with the community, among other duties (read below).

Duties

There are four main activities in the nesting areas: a) Beach monitoring, b) Nest management, c) Maintenance and day-to-day duties, d) Public awareness.

During a typical workweek, you will be expected to work 6 days a week. Working hours are usually during the night-time, and the remaining time is spent maintaining equipment and processing data. You will be expected to work on weekends and holidays, but you will be given time off during the week as compensation. There are also opportunities to help with other projects, research initiatives, and local outreach both during and outside of work hours.

Project Coordinators must:

• Coordinate and supervise the activities of Research Assistants, Volunteers, and Local monitors.
• Lead 3-4-hour night patrols and morning censuses.
• Collecting biometric data and tagging nesting turtles.
• Photo ID and Tissue sample collection.
• Building and maintaining project hatcheries.
• Hatchery monitoring and nest excavations.
• Hatchling release.
• Work together with local monitors.
• Visit other projects when necessary.
• Plan and implement environmental and English classes with the community.
• Maintenance of the station house.
• Data entry.
• Prepare weekly schedules.
• Training volunteers.
• Maintain professional, open communication with staff and volunteers.
• Attend all scheduled staff meetings with the Research and Field Supervisor and the Research and Internship Program Manager.
• Conduct ongoing supply and equipment inventory.
• Coordinators will be supervised by CREMA’s Research and Field Supervisor.

Requirements

Coordinators are expected to stay at the project site for the entire period for which they are selected. Preference will be given to potential applicants that meet the following requirements:

• BS or Masters in biological sciences or related fields.
• Conversational and written Spanish and English (Obligatory to all the projects).
• Previous experience working with sea turtles or conducting field research.
• Previous experience working in environmental education.
• Leadership skills.
• Independent, reliable, and responsible.
• Ability to accept and give feedback.
• Motivated and positive.
• Able to adapt to unexpected situations and unfamiliar cultures.
• Able to undertake physical labor activities during night and day in extreme weather conditions while maintaining energy and stamina.
• Previous experience working in a team as a leader.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, decision making, logistical and organizational skills.
• Comfortable working in the outdoors or in isolated settings

Since many of the responsibilities are physically demanding, Project Coordinators 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.

Benefits/Costs

Meals and accommodation will be covered by CREMA during the length of the project.

Coordinators will be given a stipend of 100,000 Costa Rican colons per month ($200 approximately). This stipend is intended to cover living costs.

Additional Contact Information

• Up-to-date CV/Resume.
• Cover letter explaining how your experience and skills meet the requirements for this position and specifying project preference.
• Contact information (names and email addresses) of at least 3 references (either professional or academic).
• Please send applications to the following email addresses:  ninive.espinoza@cremacr.org and drojas@cremacr.org.