Conservation International Summer Internship, Costa Rica

Conservation International Board Member Byron Trott has generously provided Conservation International with funding to support immersive field based summer internships for US based students. These internships are specifically intended for students interested in gaining career skills in the non-profit or conservation sector, and will offer participants exposure to management and leadership skills, in addition to an understanding of CI’s work. 

For the summer of 2013, Conservation International is offering a summer internship for two students in Costa Rica focused on sea turtle management.  These internships will apply knowledge in areas of natural sciences in terms of improving and supporting research activities in marine resource conservation in Costa Rica, fulfilling personal and professional academic requirements related to biodiversity conservation. The internships will include a three days orientation at Conservation International Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. Conservation International will cover all travel expenses including, travel to Costa Rica, accommodations and food.  Interns must supply their own health insurance and sign a volunteer waiver. 

Interns will be paired together and will go to one of the following locations. 1) Barra de Pacuare Protected Area (a public-private reserve in the Caribbean coast). The work for volunteers is on conservation, research and education on marine turtles. This site is famous because is one of the few protected areas where you can find the leatherback, green and hawksbill turtles.  2) Playa Buena Vista Protected Area.  Work this for marine turtles 3) Matapalo Refuge- Environmental education with local communities on marine conservation 4) Montezuma Refuge. Turtle conservation and marine.  Environmental education and collaboration with local conservation initiatives with local communities.

Internship Duties

• Attend the placement activities, harvesting, replanting, removal, monitoring and surveillance of nests according to preset protocols for sea turtle monitoring
• Attend and participate in data collection on the beaches related to the tasks of monitoring species
• Assist other volunteers in the roles assigned within the project
• Introduce volunteers to the methodology and data collection practices along with the basic biology of sea turtles
• Assist in the release of baby turtles according to protocol
• Perform exhumations in the company of volunteer support
• Record and review the information to be recorded in established formats
• Engage in community outreach and environmental education

In addition, the intern will have to be responsible for the use and maintenance of tools, equipment, and facilities of the project and other activities necessary for the normal performance of the project and consider comments, recommendations and schedules of the volunteer coordinators in the project.

Basic requirements

• Must have valid passport and ability to commit to internship from July 9 to August 17. 
• Must be pursuing a college degree with emphasis on a non conservation degree
• Must be familiar with natural science, conservation or biodiversity concepts
• Must have intermediate command of the Spanish language
• Must be able to work in field conditions including physical labor and adverse weather conditions
• Must have proof of medical insurance and sign volunteer waiver 
• Prior experience working in the field is preferable but not required

To Apply:

Curriculum Vitae and recommendation/reference letter from the respective applicant

Click here to view the website and apply.