*ECOLOGY PROJECT INTERNATIONAL*
*Application period closes July 15th, 2014*
*DESCRIPTION:*
Ecology Project International (EPI), a nonprofit organization, is hiring
instructors to teach outdoor environmental/conservation education in Baja
California Sur, Mexico.
EPI offers experiential educational programs to students in a variety of
outdoor settings. Our mission is to improve and inspire science education
and conservation through field based students-scientist partnerships.
Mexico program teach students based on science inquiry different concepts
of: invertebrates biology, cetacean biology, sea turtles biology,
sustainability development, conservation and leadership.
EPI offers a field-based science/conservation educational program for high
school and junior university students. Our programs are experiential,
involve inquiry-based field science through curricula and hands on
participation in a real conservation/research program; we promote a deeper
understanding of natural systems and the importance of research and
conservation for the long term sustainability of life in Earth. We work
both with local Mexicans and foreign students, ages between 15-19 years
old.
Our Mexico program has an emphasis on Island Ecology, Whales and urban
based outreach activities. The Island Ecology Program consists in camping
in a remote island of the Sea of Cortes, while collecting invertebrate
data. In the Whale Ecology Program students participate actively in the
whale research while navigating in a boat the area between Loreto and Cabo
Pulmo. Field programs are 4 to 9 days in length. The outreach programs
consist in workshops and other educational events, which include working
with students, kids and adults in our Campus, local schools or
communitarian events.
Instructors lead field activities and facilitate the learning experience
based on EPI curricula that promotes the use of real, student-collected
data to further the understanding of the scientific process and its
applications on science, conservation and every-day life.
Instructors may also lead short educational trips for adults or companies
and promote outreach activities for local students.
For more detailed information on our courses and organization, please visit
our website: www.ecologyproject.org
and www.epimexico.blogspot.com
*RESPONSIBILITIES:*
· Provide and lead a positive experience for EPI participants in
the field.
· Promote and ensure a safe learning/living environment.
· Plan, lead, and instruct quality experiential
science/conservation education programs to a diverse group of high school
students in both English and Spanish.
· Plan, lead, and instruct courses based on the group’s
expectations.
· Be sensitive to the health and welfare of all participants and
meet their developmental needs.
· Understand, model, monitor, and enforce EPI policies and
protocols.
· Participate in all EPI staff development sessions throughout the
season, including staff training, staff meetings,
staff retreats, and complete feedback and evaluation forms.
· Oversee and/or lead research activities with accordance to local
research protocols.
· Establish and maintain clear communication with teachers,
chaperones, participants, partners, co- instructor(s), and EPI staff.
· Effectively manage logistical challenges during emergencies on
course.
· Promptly complete and file paperwork associated with each course.
· Mentor EPI interns in the developing their skills and completing
their expectations.
· Help with course logistics while on courses
· Write one local student experience for Mexico newsletter at the
end of the season
· Show and maintain a positive attitude.
*QUALIFICATIONS:*
*Required:*
ÿ Desire to make a difference in the world;
ÿ More than one year teaching environmental/conservation education
and leading outdoor experiences for young adults;
ÿ Experience leading groups and trips in remote areas;
ÿ Bilingual, might be Spanish and English fluent (needs to teach in
both languages);
ÿ In physical and mental condition to lead courses up to 12 days/24
hours a day with a co-instructor;
ÿ Bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, natural sciences, or
related field;
ÿ Field research experience;
ÿ Current Wilderness First Responder & CPR certifications;
individuals not certified at time of application must be willing to
complete this certification before staff training.
ÿ Minimum 21 years of age.
*Preferred:*
- Master’s degree in related field;
- Experience on inquiry-based learning programs;
- Experience living or studying in Mexico or Latin American settings;
- Experience in swimming, snorkel, and boats.
*DATES:*
The complete program season is from October 2014 through May 2015, with a
break in December and January. Partial program season is from mid-January
to May 2015. Instructors will participate in a required unpaid training
session to be held in late September – early October in La Paz, B.C.S., two
days of staff retreat, two times during the season, for program evaluation
and closing event at the end of the season.
*To apply visit *https://ecologyproject.submittable.com/submit *and follow
the directions to complete the on-line application process. All applicants
must apply on-line.*
