About The Job

Apply by :

January 1, 2026

Know By

March 1, 2026

Depart On

September 22, 2026

Duration

2 years, plus 3 months training

ELIGIBILITY: Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be a U.S. citizen.

Project description

Paraguay is the “Heart of South America.” Located in the center of the continent, it is a country known for the warmth of its people, its tranquil lifestyle, and terere – an ice-cold yerba mate infusion. Home to diverse ecosystems such as the Atlantic Forest, wetlands, and savannas, Paraguay has also seen immense land use changes in recent decades in favor of farming. Deforestation and substandard solid waste management practices have led local partners to identify environmental conservation as a top priority for Peace Corps Volunteers.

Community Environmental Promoters work in three main areas: environmental education, reforestation, and zero waste.

• In schools, Volunteers work primarily with teachers and students in 4th-9th grade, though they may also work with younger and older students. Volunteers co-design, co-plan and co-facilitate environmental education initiatives with teachers, such as celebrating environmental holidays. They also co-implement structured eco-clubs and put on environmental events like Earth Hour.
• Volunteers organize tree plantings with both native and exotic species to address rural, low-resourced communities’ environmental and economic realities. Many Volunteers also work with the Paraguayan Forest Service to start and/or manage tree nurseries.
• To promote zero waste practices through initiatives like Basura Cero, Volunteers may work with municipalities on recycling and waste management and participate in community clean up events.
  
  

All Volunteers should feel comfortable working with groups of diverse stakeholders including teachers, youth, farmers, local elected officials, and government/non-government organization workers.

Volunteers facilitate a wide range of activities, and their success depends on their willingness and ability to integrate into the community, speak the local languages, build trust and adapt to the varying needs, ideas and work styles of community members.

Volunteers will receive training to learn how to design, implement, and evaluate primary and secondary project activities. Trainees receive 10-weeks of Pre-Service Training before moving to their communities and then attend additional training events during their two years of volunteer service with their community counterparts.

Required Skills

Qualified candidates will have an expressed interest in promoting environmental awareness in schools and communities, and one or more of the following criteria:

• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any field
  
  

OR

• 5 years' professional work experience