Quetzal Education Research Center · Nationwide / location varies · posted today
QERC Spring Semester 2027 position: Program Coordinator Assistant Join the Quetzal Education & Research Center and Southern Nazarene University during the study abroad semester program as QERC’s Program Coordinator Assistant! The assistant plays a key role in the research project and student experience for the semester, supporting students as they experience new places, culture, and class subjects in a Christian education setting. The Quetzal Education & Research Center has been conducting research and teaching students in San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica for over 30 years. This valley was built on ecotourism, specifically bird biodiversity. The station is focused on conservation and biological research, with an emphasis on Christ-centered learning. The semester abroad program runs four months, January through April, with 16 course credits offered to students in the program. These courses include Tropical Field Research, Tropical Ecology and Sustainability, Tropical Medicine, Central American History and Culture, and Biblical Theology and Global Stewardship. Student research currently includes stream ecology and water quality, as well as mosquito biogeography and phenology. The students conduct field work, lab work, and data analysis as part of their semester with the support of professors, the program coordinator, and the coordinator assistant. The students will also travel during the semester. They will see San Jose and the central valley during orientation and departure weeks, during their history course. They will then spend mammalogy and herpetology in the Pacific lowlands. They will then travel to several national parks during the biomes tour. The assistant will not accompany them on the lowlands or biomes tours, instead working on various needed projects around the research center. RESPONSIBILITIES • Facilities Projects - Coordinated by Facilities Manager • Take compost out to the compost pile daily • Bring finished compost to the greenhouse once a week • Harvest from the greenhouse every two days • Weed the garden when necessary • Pick up sticks after a wind event • Wash the inside and outside of the car every two weeks • Move/fill dirt to address potholes and erosion • Programmatic and Academic Projects - Coordinated by Program Coordinator • Keep the lab and classroom clean and tidy by putting away all items used daily • Review and maintain lab equipment and supplies inventory, communicating with program coordinator needed replacements due to breakage or expiration of supplies. • Facilitate long-term research projects • Document activities during the semester via photo and video to be used in marketing materials • If for any reason the Program Coordinator is absent from the station, the assistant must stay at the station and be available for any student needs • Resident Advisor Duties • Foster a positive environment that encourages the formation of relationships between residents • Be mindful of the position of leadership help among peers, the RA should consider their impact on the moral and spiritual development of other students by evidencing good character and professional integrity, upholding all community standards • Provide support and counsel for students as needed, referring students to proper resources • Inspect for cleanliness and maintenance needs within the living area • 20 hours/week, be available in the living area. Being available is defined as being present in the living pursuing specific responsibilities such as distributing information, being in the common space ready to interact with students, supporting student research projects, etc. 20 hours/week of non-class time, be available in common spaces of QERC (i.e. library, dining hall, reception, classroom). Tasks during this time can include but are not limited to; outlined Programatic Projects, Facilities Projects, Academic Projects, and interactions pertaining to student life/wellbeing. • Planning and executing at least one group activity per week for the entire group (i.e. hikes, games, coffee, movie night) • Support students through their own cultural adjustment process and other personal challenges • Lead by example in engagement with host families and neighbors and Spanish language acquisition • Other duties • Provide support to Program coordinator with non-programmatic research projects • Provide support to professors with non-programmatic research projects Required Qualifications: • Southern Nazarene University is an expression of the Church of the Nazarene. According to SNU policy, all faculty and staff must profess faith in Jesus Christ, possess a strong personal Christian commitment and be committed to the SNU mission to make Christlike disciples through higher education in a Christ centered community. • As an institution of the Church of the Nazarene, applicants must understand and embrace the biblical principle that all people are created in the image of God and should be treated with dignity and respect, including a belief in equal opportunity to work, contribute, and flourish without discrimination. • Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Wildlife Ecology, or a related field • Passion to walk alongside college students learning in international and intercultural settings. • Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills. • Strong analytical and organizational skills. • Demonstrated success in cultivating collaborative relationships. • Ability to work independently and as part of a team and effectively interact with students. • Demonstrated ability to prioritize, take initiative, and manage multiple tasks while exercising sound judgement. • Strong interest in tropical ecosystems, biodiversity, and conservation. • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. • Ability to work both independently and as part of a diverse team. • Physical fitness and the ability to work in challenging field conditions. • Working knowledge of or experience using the Spanish language. Preferred Qualifications: • QERC Alumni • Lab management or TA experience • Basic knowledge of local flora and fauna. • Prior experience in fieldwork, research, or similar roles is a plus. • Experience working successfully with others in intercultural settings. • Experience using R and arcGIS • Experience with plant and insect identification • Experience outdoors, including hiking, swimming, etc. • Leadership/RA experience • Speaks conversational Spanish The position for spring 2027 would begin on January 11th upon arrival to Costa Rica and end on May 7th upon departure to the US. There is a stipend of $2000 for the semester and travel, room, and board are provided by the program. Applications will be accepted by November 23rd, 2026, or until an the position is filled. To apply, please send me an email with your CV, unofficial transcript, and a short 1-2 paragraphs of why you are interested in the position; maskren@mail.snu.edu. Applicants may then be asked to fill out a Google form application and have an interview with the coordinator and program director.
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