Youth Development Specialist - Volunteer Position - Onsite in Costa Rica - 12 months
Peace Corps
United States
Posted on Jul 2, 2025
About The Job
Projected Departure
June 8, 2026
Duration
12 months
ELIGIBILITY: Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be a U.S. citizen.
Project description
The Ministry of Public Education in Costa Rica has requested the support of a Peace Corps Response Volunteer (PCRV) to serve as a Youth Development Specialist focused on student life/affairs. The Pedagogical Advisory Department within MEP is the local authority for all public education programs related to student life/affairs. These programs include Programa Convivir (focused on improving student relationships and a sense of community in schools), Network for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Orientation Program, Permanence Unit for Reintegration and School Success, attention to the phenomenon of drugs, and management of coexistence in the educational center. All of these programs are aimed at promoting participatory activities within schools in a sustainable manner, promoting sexual and reproductive health, strengthening positive human relationships within the educational community, as well as promoting positive relationships based on respect, participation, identity, a sense of belonging, celebration of culture, and to promote academic success.
A PCRV with a degree in social work or related field, three or more years of relevant experience, such as in organizational development/capacity building, social work for youth, or experience serving youth organizations, and an intermediate-high level of Spanish has been requested to support these initiatives and contribute to the design of new strategies and methodologies to provide guidance and training for teachers, students and administrative staff of MEP’s Regional Office. The PCRV’s will help support the National Coexistence Plan and dropout prevention initiatives at the regional level, and to contribute to the design of new strategies and methodologies to provide guidance and training to teachers, students and administrative staff of the MEP Regional Office in Guapiles. The Volunteer will design and implement activities that promote the development of skills in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) area and develop workshops for the teaching staff of STEAM and Convivir teams on how to implement strategies in the educational centers that promote the development of STEAM skills and support prevention actions for healthy coexistence. The goal of this assignment is to strengthen the student life programs and skills of school staff.
Candidates selected for this position will be arriving in Costa Rica together as a group, so while the departure dates for the whole group could change, dates cannot be changed for individual candidates.
Required Skills
Projected Departure
June 8, 2026
Duration
12 months
ELIGIBILITY: Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be a U.S. citizen.
Project description
The Ministry of Public Education in Costa Rica has requested the support of a Peace Corps Response Volunteer (PCRV) to serve as a Youth Development Specialist focused on student life/affairs. The Pedagogical Advisory Department within MEP is the local authority for all public education programs related to student life/affairs. These programs include Programa Convivir (focused on improving student relationships and a sense of community in schools), Network for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Orientation Program, Permanence Unit for Reintegration and School Success, attention to the phenomenon of drugs, and management of coexistence in the educational center. All of these programs are aimed at promoting participatory activities within schools in a sustainable manner, promoting sexual and reproductive health, strengthening positive human relationships within the educational community, as well as promoting positive relationships based on respect, participation, identity, a sense of belonging, celebration of culture, and to promote academic success.
A PCRV with a degree in social work or related field, three or more years of relevant experience, such as in organizational development/capacity building, social work for youth, or experience serving youth organizations, and an intermediate-high level of Spanish has been requested to support these initiatives and contribute to the design of new strategies and methodologies to provide guidance and training for teachers, students and administrative staff of MEP’s Regional Office. The PCRV’s will help support the National Coexistence Plan and dropout prevention initiatives at the regional level, and to contribute to the design of new strategies and methodologies to provide guidance and training to teachers, students and administrative staff of the MEP Regional Office in Guapiles. The Volunteer will design and implement activities that promote the development of skills in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) area and develop workshops for the teaching staff of STEAM and Convivir teams on how to implement strategies in the educational centers that promote the development of STEAM skills and support prevention actions for healthy coexistence. The goal of this assignment is to strengthen the student life programs and skills of school staff.
Candidates selected for this position will be arriving in Costa Rica together as a group, so while the departure dates for the whole group could change, dates cannot be changed for individual candidates.
Required Skills
- MA/MS in Social Work, Counseling, Clinical Psychology.
- 3 or more years of relevant experience, such as in organizational development/capacity building, social work for youth, or experience serving youth organizations.