The Alliance for a Sustainable Amazon (ASA), a research-focused non-profit organization working in the southeastern Peruvian Amazon, is seeking a volunteer agricultural field research assistant beginning in March, 2018. The successful applicant will be based at the ASA’s field site in Peru’s Madre de Dios Department. 
 
POSITION: Volunteer Field Research Assistant

LOCATION: Finca Las Piedras, Madre de Dios, Peru

POSITION DURATION: Minimum 6 months

SCHEDULE: 6 days/week, flexibility in scheduling required

START DATE: March 19, 2018

APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 1, 2017 
 

JOB DESCRIPTION 
 
Field Research Assistants (FRAs) work closely with ASA faculty and staff to facilitate ongoing agricultural research and monitoring projects at Finca Las Piedras, the ASA’s field site and base of operations in Peru’s Madre de Dios Department. FRAs are part of the public face of the ASA’s programs in Peru, and are part of a dynamic team of researchers, conservation and development professionals, and students from around the world. In addition to assigned tasks, FRAs are encouraged to develop individual projects within their areas of interest and that overlap with the ASA’s priority research areas. 
 
This is a residency position, meaning that the successful applicant will live on site, full time. FRAs receive the equivalent of one day off per week, although given the nature of field research and ongoing projects at the field site, time off will be scheduled to ensure that a staff member is always available on site daily to perform essential tasks. 
 
The agricultural FRA will contribute primarily to food production and experimental agricultural plots managed by the ASA at Finca Las Piedras. Our projects have two goals: 1) to make the field site as self-sustaining as possible in terms of food production, and 2) to experiment with and promote agricultural best practices, including improved crop and plant varieties, organic production, agroforestry, and integrated pest management. 
 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 
 
Example tasks

-Daily care of the ASA’s shade houses, including watering, weeding, and pest control 
-Planning and preparation of agricultural experiments, including planting seeds and plants in the shade house and experimental plots, clearing land, etc.

-General maintenance and upkeep of the shade houses

-Shade house and experimental plot data collection & management 
 
REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 6 month commitment required (March – September, 2018)

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in agricultural or natural sciences, or related field  

• Knowledge of and experience in agriculture and/or field research (preferred)

• At least basic Spanish (preferred)

• Experience working/living abroad, especially in the tropics (preferred)

• Enthusiasm and strong work ethic

• Flexibility in schedule and work environment

• Maturity/must live with and work well with others in close setting

• Excellent physical condition

• Traveler’s insurance (proof required upon acceptance) 
 

TRAINING

Upon arrival at Finca Las Piedras, FRAs undergo an intensive, two-week training period. Research Assistants are given an overview of current agricultural and biological researchrelated projects, as well as the methodologies used. FRAs will also be trained informally throughout the duration of their term at Finca Las Piedras.  
 

COMPENSATION

This is an unpaid, volunteer position. However, all room and board is provided on-site at Finca Las Piedras, 7 days per week, for the duration of the appointment. Work-related local transportation, including pickup from the Puerto Maldonado airport (PEM) or bus terminal, is covered. FRAs are responsible for their international flight to Peru (if applicable), including airfare, taxes, airport fees, flight insurance, etc., and domestic air or land travel to Puerto Maldonado. 
 

HOW TO APPLY

The following are required to apply for this position: 
 
1. A cover letter of interest

2. Current CV/resume with contact information for two references

3. Most recent unofficial university transcript 
 
Completed applications should include each of the three required items, and should be submitted as a single PDF document, in the order listed above, by the application deadline (December 1, 2017). Document title should read: “last name”_“FRA agriculture application”.pdf 
 
Send completed applications to: info@sustainableamazon.org with “Agricultural Assistant application” in the subject line.