Professional Engagement

Sos Nicaragua operates one of the most important turtle conservation projects on the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua on the Island Los Brasiles, León. Within a long-term stay you have the unique opportunity to work in a professional animal and environmental protection project and to gain valuable international experience.

To apply for, send an e-mail to the beach project director David Melero melero@sosnicaragua.org which includes:

  1. Cover letter indicating:
    • Position for which you are applying
    • Why you are interested in the position and motivated to support the turtle conservation project
    • Your strong points
  2. Your profession & experience
  3. CV/Resume

Available positions for the 2020-2021 turtle season between (July – February):

What we offer you?

  • A leading position with team responsibility
  • Deep insights into a professional environmental protection project
  • Free and safe accommodation directly on the beach
  • Three good & healthy meals a day
  • recognized certificate of participation of Sos Nicaragua
  • Not included are expenses for arrival and departure to the turtle station, neither private leisure activities.

 

What’s to be done?

  • Daily early morning walks to count turtle tracks and check status of in-situ nests
  • Proper and professional recording of all technical data
    • identify, measure and tag all adult turtles
  • Monitor hatcheries and record scientific data and conditions
  • Relocate turtle nests into hatcheries
  • Release hatchlings and conduct post hatching nest excavations
    • coordinating the work of the Field Assistants in monitoring the turtle activity on the beach
    • coordinating beach patrols, night patrols and our volunteer and student groups
    • give talks and workshops with students, volunteers and the local community
    • ensuring the overall success of the project
  •  

What we expect from you?

Preference will be given to potential FCs that meet the following requirements.  If you do not meet all of the requirements but are enthusiastic and motivated, we encourage you to apply.  Couples are especially encouraged to apply:

    • Highly motivated, responsible, and have strong interpersonal communication skills
    • Fluency or a solid ability in both Spanish and English
    • Recent graduate or advanced student in biological sciences or related fields.
    • Comfortable in an isolated setting
    • In good health condition to walk long nightly hours
    • Ability to undertake physical labour in the heat and/or rain
    • Previous experience performing field work with sea turtles is desirable
    • Available for the duration of the project or at least 6 months

 

FCs also need to establish a friendly relationship and maintain constant communication with members of the local communities and in-site partners. You are also responsible for further community enriching activities such as beach clean-ups, painting of buildings, coordination of English classes, etc. Keep in mind that the social relationship with members of the community is a very important aspect of these projects.

What we offer you?

  • Unique opportunity to participate in an international recognized animal and environmental protection project
  • Insights and practical experience in professional biological research
  • Help protect the endangered turtles
  • Accommodation directly on the beach, surrounded by a diverse flora and fauna
  • Three good & healthy meals a day
  • Recognized certificate of participation of Sos Nicaragua
  • Not included are expenses for arrival and departure to the turtle station, neither private leisure activities.


What’s to be done?

  • Support field activities with regular volunteers, student groups and visitors
  • Professional recording of all technical data, coordinating the work of other volunteers, working with communities and facilitating successful conservation tourism
  • Nightly patrols of several hours each to identify, measure and tag all adult turtles
  • Relocate nests into the hatchery or mark them in situ
  • Daily early morning walks must be done to count turtle tracks and to check the status of in situ nests
  • Hatchery maintenance
  • Hatchling (baby turtle) release and post hatching nest excavations on a daily basis
  • FAs will be also responsible for camp/hatchery upkeep and construction. This can include:
    • carrying heavy logs
    • shoveling sand
    • hammering nails
    • plant control (using a machetes)
    • watering of plants (during the dry season)
    • and other strenuous physical activities

Note: FAs do not get scheduled days off, they must be negotiated with the FCs and are subject to the needs of the project. FAs are expected to stay at the beach with the project for the entire period for which they are selected.

What we expect from you?

Preference will be given to potential FAs that meet the following requirements.  If you do not meet all of the requirements but are enthusiastic and motivated, we encourage you to apply.  Couples are especially encouraged to apply:

    • Be highly motivated and responsible
    • Be a good team members
    • Be comfortable in extremely remote conditions
    • Get along well with folks from different cultures
    • Ability to undertake physical labor in the heat and/or rain
    • Be in good health condition to walk long nightly hours
    • Support FCs in every aspect of the work
    • Knowledge of Spanish and English
    • Previous experience performing field work (especially with sea turtles)
    • Be available for the duration of the selected time frame, or at least 3 month

 

ATTENTION: FAs are expected to help cover food and project costs in the amount of US$150 per month as well as their costs to and from the project sites.