Research Coordinator

COPROT is looking for an experienced researcher and communicator to manage the overall coordination of our beach monitoring program across both of our base camps and three different sea turtle nesting beaches. This includes maintenance of our existing program, as well as the development of our research areas and impact in accordance with the conservation aims of the project. 

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Responsibilities Include:

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• Management and coordination of field staff and volunteers for the collection of consistent and high quality data on 8km of sea turtle nesting beaches

• Management of the project database, including data input and organization and necessary follow-up with field staff if improvements are needed

• Assessment and improvement of current data collection protocols and beach management techniques across all beaches

• Management of tagging program and blood sampling to ensure high standards, ethical techniques and good management and dissemination of information.

• Maintenance of good communications and provision of support to the field team by holding regular team meetings and/or feedback sessions and support personal development goals of the assistants

• Act as a supervisor for interns carrying out their placements in accordance with the needs of their university 

• Provision of initial training/ assessment/ refresher sessions on beach data collection protocols for all project staff and RAs

• Liaison with relevant SINAC-MINAE functionaries in order to improve our contributions to the national conservation efforts for our target species.

• Development of research ideas for the beach monitoring and potential in-water programs in line with the conservation needs of the area.

• Report writing both for end of season reports, and for peer-reviewed journal articles

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Desired Skills:

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• Previous experience working on sea turtle nesting beaches (minimum 2 full nesting seasons)

• MSc in a biology or conservation related subject

• Proven research capabilities in tropical environments

• Ability to manage large data sets, and analyze data using programs such as R and GiS 

• Excellent communication skills and an avid interest in science communication

• Strong report writing skills and evidence of publications or publication potential

• Good leadership skills and the ability to motivate others

• Good written and spoken English and Spanish

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This position has a start date of 10 June 2024 for a minimum of 10 months, with the opportunity to extend for the right candidate.

This is a salaried position, and accommodation and meals will be provided on the project site (Rio Oro Base Camp).

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For more information and to apply please send your CV and cover letter to laura@tortugasdeosa.org

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COPROT is looking for a proactive and dynamic Volunteer Coordinator (VC) to organize and develop our busy volunteer program and connect with the community. The VC is a senior staff member that is responsible for the volunteer and visitor program on the Rio Oro base camp, as well as general operations and logistics for that project. The VC co-leads the project along with the Research Coordinator.

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Responsibilities include:

• All volunteer arrival coordination and induction. This includes health and safety briefing, signing documentation upon arrival and taking payments.

• Volunteer support and training in project protocols on the beaches and in the hatchery. Theory and practical sessions across their first few days on the project

• Leading morning census and beach patrols, including taking biometric measurements and tagging females.

• Organization of volunteer activities to compliment beach work (beach cleans, plastic upcycling, camp activities, trips and tours)

• Continuous evaluation of volunteer pre-arrival information and quality of volunteer experience through personal observation and feedback sessions. Follow up for reviews that support the growth of our online presence.

• General camp coordination, including resupply and equipment inventories, food lists, gas etc. Maintenance needs of the base camp should be coordinated with the groundskeeper.

• Project health and safety; ensuring risk assessments are up to date, monitoring the safety of project activities, maintenance of first aid kits and first point of contact in an emergency situation.

• Management of camp cash and base camp finances; registering and income and source, and keeping the accounts for any cash spent from the camp cash.

• Tourist engagement outside of the project (hotel presentations, beach sessions/activities, materials for rental properties).

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Desired skills:

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• Great energy and solutions-focused

• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills

• Competent speaking and writing in Spanish and English

• Clear experience and knowledge in conservation and/or community development

• Good organizational skills and the ability to delegate and multitask

• Good leadership skills and the ability to motivate others

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This position has a start date of 10 June 2024 for a minimum of 10 months, with the opportunity to extend for the right candidate.

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This is a salaried position, and accommodation and meals will be provided on the project site (Rio Oro Base Camp).

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For more information and to apply please send your CV and cover letter to volunteer@tortugasdeosa.org

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Don't fit the bill? Get some more field experience as a Research Assistant.