Internship: Surfing and Ocean Conservation

Photo courtesy of The Barrio Planta Project via Yaosca Jimenez

Over the past several years, more and more tourists have been finding their way to the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua for the waves. Recently, local Nicaraguans from fishing communities have also adopted the sport with a passion. In July 2012 Nicaragua will host the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship.

With the right knowledge, tools, and organizational support, these young locals may be empowered to lead the ocean conservation movement in their communities.

However there are many challenges, for both the young local surfers and the oceans. Local surfers face difficulties due to lack of education (more than half of local surfers surveyed had not finished high school), economic disadvantages, and inexperience at leadership. The oceans and coasts of Nicaragua are being heavily impacted by poorly planned coastal development, river contamination, plastic debris, and human disturbance of key wildlife habitat (e.g. – turtle nesting beaches and reefs).

In 2010, Paso Pacifico began a program to empower local surfing youth in the San Juan del Sur municipality with training and tools to organize and develop leadership as ocean stewards. As we continue to develop this program we seek an intern to support Paso Pacifico’s staff in Nicaragua in activities that support the goal of this project.

Internship duties will include, but are not limited to:

• planning, organizing and facilitating workshops on ocean conservation issues, organizational development, leadership
• coordinating with San Juan del Sur Association to ensure their participation in key surfing and conservation events
• providing leadership training
• planning, promoting and coordinating surf group clean-up events and other ocean protection activities
• reaching out to the foreign surfing community in Nicaragua and beyond to gain support (moral, logistical, financial) for program goals
• recruiting new surfers to participate in events and workshops
• sharing media (photos, written stories) about project with Nicaraguan partners and internationally connecting the local surfing assaciation with other international surf and environment advocacy groups
• representing Paso Pacifico and our mission in a positive manner before the community
• coordinating activities with Paso Pacifico staff in Managua and/or rural offices
• participating in the organization of press conferences
• acting as an ambassador for ocean conservation and a healthy lifestyle
• surfing

Required Skills:

• fluent in Spanish
• works well independently
• passion for ocean conservation
• leadership and public speaking skills
• good writing skills
• flexible
• hard working

Desirable Qualifications:

• surfing photography
• social media
• Bachelors degree in Environmental or Social sciences
• experience in organizational leadership (running meetings)
• experienced driver

Intern must be willing to travel, lodge, and dine in conditions typical for the rural developing tropics. Intern will be required to meet guidelines set out in Paso Pacifico internship agreement. Intern will report to Nicaragua Country Director and will coordinate activities with Paso Pacifico local partners including the Nicaraguan Surf Association and the San Juan del Sur Surf Association. Intern must be flexible in job duties, providing at times support to other Paso Pacifico conservation programs and will also be asked to participate in nation-wide Coastal Clean-up event.

How to Apply:

This opportunity was originally posted at Idealist.org.