Employment Opportunities & Volunteer at BFREE

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Interested in employment opportunities and volunteer experiences at BFREE? Explore below!

BFREE staff enjoying a hike in the rainforest, with multiple staff members standing on a natural staircase among lots of tropical plants.

Employment Opportunities

The Belize Foundation for Research & Environmental Education (BFREE) strives to successfully integrate scientific research, environmental education, conservation, and create sustainable development opportunities for alternative livelihoods for Belizeans. BFREE provides staff with a competitive salary based on work experience. Staff working at the Field Station are provided room and board while at BFREE. Staff schedule is 10 days on-site and 4 days off. Staff receives Social Security benefits and two weeks of paid vacation after working one full year.

If you have any questions about working with BFREE, please contact us by email at jobs@bfreebz.org.

Current Job Openings

Field Station Manager

Field Station Manager Full Job Description

The Station Manager assumes a leadership role at the field station. The SM oversees the field station staff (approximately 25 – 30 persons) and ensures smooth operations for both employees and visitor experiences. The SM encourages and fosters positive attitudes, sets a good example, and prioritizes staff efforts. The SM supports the mission and activities of BFREE and exemplifies a concern for the environment.

Apply: Follow the instructions listed within the job description.

Posted: 12 AUGUST 2024

Deadline: 15 DECEMBER 2024 – Job will be filled sooner if the right person is identified for the role

Start Date: TBD

Cacao Agroforestry Fellow

Cacao Fellow Full Job Description

A full-time position in the BFREE Fellowship Program is now available. The current opening is for a Cacao Agroforestry Fellow assigned to BFREE’s Cacao Agribusiness – Crioco.

The BFREE Science and Education Fellows Program is a two-year immersive work training opportunity for recent Belizean junior college and college graduates who exhibit leadership potential combined with a clear interest in conserving the country’s natural resources.

Apply: Follow the instructions listed within the job description.

Deadline: May 19, 2025

Start Date: TBD

Wildlife Fellow

Wildlife Fellow Full Job Description

A full-time position in the BFREE Fellowship Program is now available. The current opening is for a Wildlife Fellow assigned to BFREE’s Hicatee Conservation and Research Center.

The BFREE Science and Education Fellows Program is a two-year immersive work-training opportunity for recent Belizean junior college and college graduates who exhibit leadership potential combined with a clear interest in the conservation of the country’s natural resources.

Apply: Follow the instructions listed within the job description.

Deadline: May 19, 2025

Start Date: TBD

Volunteer

BFREE offers extraordinary opportunities to learn how a biological research station runs while gaining extensive experience in field methods as a Volunteer Field Assistant. Opportunities are for all ages (18+) and last 2-4 weeks on average.

Hundreds of interns and long-term volunteers have stayed at our tropical field station since its inception. These volunteers have benefited from the unique experience of living and working in the rainforest and have made tremendous contributions to our wildlands conservation programs, environmental research, and education efforts, as well as to the development of our sustainable facilities.

2025 Volunteer Opportunities

Hicatee Turtle Volunteers

BFREE is now accepting volunteers to work with the Hicatee Turtle Conservation Team and the Park Ranger Team. Volunteers will be assigned various roles to support the team depending on the time of the year and the most significant needs.

Assignments may include:

Assisting in care of turtle hatchlings
Assist in feeding and care of adult and subadult turtles
Assist in maintenance of the turtle facility
Data Collection
Documenting, including photography
Trail Maintenance and development

In addition to working with the team, volunteers will be assigned a schedule to assist with general day-to-day needs around the field station, such as helping with meal preparation and clean-up, and trail maintenance. Duties may change as determined by current needs at the time of your assignment.

General Learning Objectives

Requirements

Volunteers should be committed to BFREE’s mission and have a passion for environmental education and conservation. One should have a positive and flexible attitude, desire to learn and work hard, willingness to adapt to a changing work environment and be comfortable living in remote and rustic living conditions in a tropical environment. All volunteers must complete a physician-signed health form of good health.

There is a 13-night/14-day minimum for volunteers. Volunteer work hours typically follow the regular field station work schedule of 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM with a scheduled lunch hour and breaks. Sundays are unscheduled, with some activities available.

Costs

BFREE Field Assistants are volunteer positions. Field Assistants pay for their international airfare and travel costs from the airport to the BFREE Field Station.

A small daily project fee covers lodging, meals, administration, and trainings. Many past students have received funding and/or credit from their host institution to participate. Payment is due 30 days in advance of arrival.

Volunteers who choose not to walk in the 6-mile Entrance Road to BFREE can arrange for transportation at a fee.

Apply