El Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Mixto Romelia was founded on the 24th of November, 1998. Its main
objective is to preserve the biodiversity of Área de Conservación Tempisque (ACT). There are paths within the
various habits found at Refugio Romelia. These terrains are the habitat of a wide variety of endangered flora
and fauna species. Among which there are some of a very concentrated distribution in the northeastern part of
the national territory. The Refugio consists of 295 hectares of land with forests in various stages of growth.
Several creeks of crystal-clear water run throughout these land. Some 50 hectares of the Refugio are public
the property, as is all land within 50 meters of the Costa Rican coastline.
Romelia is located near the village of Montezuma, in the district of Cóbano, in the Central Canton of the
Province of Puntarenas.
Romelia Sea Turtles Conservation Project conducted since 2009, and it has as the primary goal to conserve
sea turtles populations which come to the nest to the beaches of the Refuge. The project includes activities as
monitoring of nesting sea turtles females and activities of protection and tracking of the nests.
The typical workday for intern and coordinator during the season of sea turtles:
• Around 2 hours shift watching the incubator, in the day; a quiet and straightforward task in the hut next to the hatchery on the beach.
• Approximately 2 hours in one of the daily activities such as beach cleanups, vineyard, trail maintenance, environmental education, etc.
• The group of volunteers, including assistants and field coordinator, will be cleaning and cooking (sometimes for days off the cook) so that tasks are distributed among all participants weekly.
• Short meetings to discuss issues related to projects and organize tasks, answer questions. The field coordinator
will also have a separate time for this purpose.
• Night Patrols: 3 or 4 hours walk along the beach to collect data on the population of sea turtles, and to
transfer nests to the incubator. If you do not have to patrol, you will have a night shift in the hatchery taring about
4 hours. These activities conducted in groups. Patrols and shift schedules vary depending on the tides and
the number of staff available.
FIELD COORDINATOR INTERNSHIP
Period: 15th of June – 15th of January
Minimum stay required: 7 months
Requirements:
At least 24 years old.
Student of biology, social sciences, education, or a related field.
Experience managing groups (volunteer coordination, students, etc).
Bilingual (English-Spanish).
NO drugs or alcohol.
Enthusiastic, positive, dynamic, and self-motivated.
In good physical condition.
Able to live in, and handle, tropical climate conditions.
Able to live in an isolated places, Romelia is community. not in close proximity to the
Job Description and Responsibilities:
The principal function of this position is to ensure the success and completion of projects and
activities in the refuge, principally the Sea Turtle Conservation Project, and ensure that
volunteers understand and participate in the projects successfully.
Coordinate, direct, and participate in group work, always following the direction of the
supervisors.
Sea Turtle Conservation Project coordinate and participate:
Night Time and Early Morning Patrols (3-4 hours).
Take biometric data of sea turtles.
Collect and relocate nests to the hatchery and beach.
Release baby turtles.
Exhume nests that have hatched.
Work in the refuge on other activities: vineyard, environmental education, monitoring wildlife,
maintenance of infrastructure, landscaping, and trails, beach cleans, and other projects.
Will be responsible for the collection of scientific data.
Make sure data books are accurate and updated.
Make sure all equipment is in good condition and clean.
In charge of coordinating group work for the different projects in the refuge.
Create and implement environmental education and community outreach.
Hours of work will vary, both during the day and at night.
Assistants
Periods:
-15th of June to September 1st-September 1st to 15th of November-15th of November to
February 1st
This position offers room and board
Requirements:
At least 21 years old.
Student of biology or related field.
Bilingual (English-Basic Spanish but advanced Spanish a plus)
Enthusiastic, positive, dynamic, self-motivated.
Able to work in a team.
In good physical condition.
Able to live in and handle tropical climate conditions.
Able to live in an isolated place, not in close proximity to the community.
Able to stay at the project for 3 ½ months.
Job Description and Responsibilities
Follow instructions from supervisors and work in the different activities and projects in the
refuge.
Work in the Sea Turtle Conservation Project:
• Night Time and Early Morning Patrols (3-4 hours).
• Take biometric data of sea turtles.
• Collect and relocate nests to the hatchery and beach.
• Release baby turtles.
• Exhume nests that have hatched.
Work in the refuge on other activities: vineyard, environmental education, monitoring
wildlife, maintaining infrastructure, landscaping, and trails, cleaning the beach, and other
projects.
Hours of work will vary, both during the day and at night.