Job opportunities

I. Program Description

Dr. Murtinho and Dr. Hayes are offering an opportunity to join them in their research on sustainable development in Ecuador! As part of this project, selected students will learn about the social, economic and environmental conditions of indigenous communities in the Andes of Ecuador. Students will also assess livelihood needs in the context of climate change, and critically assess programs that aim to conserve the environment by combatting poverty and supporting community development. Ultimately, students will work with Murtinho and Hayes in Ecuador to implement a set of community workshops on climate change and ecotourism.

Students participating in this program will:

· Examine the social, cultural, economic, and ecological dynamics of rural communities in the Ecuadorian Andes.

· Examine the predicted impacts of climate change on Andean communities and learn what the Ecuadorian government and communities are doing to adapt to these impacts.

· Learn the pros and cons of ecotourism as a sustainable development tool.

· Create and implement two different participatory community workshops

1) Impacts of climate change and community responses (how science and traditional local knowledge can inform land-use choices)

2) Ecotourism assessment—consideration of pros and cons of ecotourism as a tool for sustainability community development

II. Program structure

The program includes both SU coursework and a practicum in Ecuador. Students selected for this course will enroll in an independent study winter and spring quarter with Hayes and Murtinho. Dependent upon successful completion of the preparatory coursework, students will travel with Hayes and Murtinho for 2 weeks in Ecuador in which they will apply course concepts through a set of participatory development workshops in rural communities in the highlands of central Ecuador.

Preparation at Seattle University

· Spring Quarter 2019: 3 credit directed study “Climate change, land-use and livelihoods in the Ecuadorian Andes” NOTE: Students will enroll in the spring quarter, but will receive an I grade that will be resolved upon completion of the practicum in Ecuador in July.

Practicum in Ecuador (July 6-20, 2019)

· Students will travel with Hayes and Murtinho to Ecuador where they will be based out of Ambato, a mid-sized town in the Ecuadorian highlands. We will use Ambato as a base to visit a set of rural communities, where students will complete the following activities:

o Implement a set of participatory workshops for rural communities on land management and climate change and ecotourism.

o Create and implement a workshop on “English for Ecotourism” in three ecotourism communities.

· Travel costs (airfare, food and lodging) will be covered by a grant from the National Science Foundation.

III. Student Selection Process

Required Qualifications

· High-level Spanish proficiency—you need to be able to deliver a workshop in Spanish and understand participant responses.

· Strong interpersonal skills, particularly in working with peoples from diverse communities.

· Demonstrated ability to work independently

· Demonstrated interest in international development and/or conservation work in Latin America.

· Ability to work in unfamiliar, and at times, challenging conditions (i.e. cold climates, hiking, high altitudes, unusual foods, unpredictable schedules, rural homestays).

· Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

· Courses in Latin American studies, international development, environmental education, research methods, and/or conservation biology

· Experience giving workshops or teaching

· Experience in Latin America

IV. How to apply

In order to apply please send the following to hayest@seattleu.edu by 5pm, Friday February 15.

1. Answers to the following questions

a. Why are you interested in researching and working on conservation and international development issues in Ecuador? (300 words max).

b. Please give an example that demonstrates how you are able to work with diverse peoples (150 words max).

c. What do you consider to be your strongest qualifications for this project (300 words max).

2. Resume

3. Contact information for two references

4. A copy of unofficial transcripts

For more information, please feel free to contact Dr. Tanya Hayes at hayest@seattleu.edu, or Dr. Felipe Murtinho at murtinf@seattleu.edu.