Youth Development Educator - Volunteer Position - Onsite in Costa Rica • North America - 2 years, plus 3 months training

About the role

Ready to help the next generation become confident leaders? Costa Rican schools and communities are looking for you! Young people in Costa Rica represent nearly one-third of the population, making them one of the country’s greatest assets for the future. More than a third of children under the age of 12 live below the poverty line though, and girls ages 12–19 face disproportionate responsibilities at home than boys the same age. This limits their opportunities for healthy development and places additional pressure on schools that are navigating issues such as violence, drugs, mental health concerns, and resource deficiencies.

Recognizing education’s critical role in national development, the Ministry of Public Education is interested in strengthening life skills education, encouraging youth leadership, and expanding prevention-focused programs. As a Youth Development Educator, you will collaborate with school staff to equip youth with essential life skills. Working alongside teachers and counselors, you will create opportunities for youth to become positive community leaders through service, recreation, arts, and cultural activities. Over time, this work strengthens families, schools, and community networks, contributing to safer, more supportive environments and advancing Costa Rica’s development goals.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a community assessment with school staff, counselors, and leaders to identify priority youth needs.
• Develop and implement a strategic youth development work plan.
• Deliver engaging life skills lessons that build communication, emotional well-being, and problem-solving abilities.
• Lead structured empowerment programs for girls and targeted education activities for boys.
• Facilitate sports, arts, and recreational activities.
• Guide youth participation in service-learning and volunteer projects.
• Collaborate with teachers and service providers to foster a united, supportive network.
• Engage parents and caregivers in activities that promote positive family relationships.
• Work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as enriching art classes and team sports.

Requirements

Qualified candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:

• Bachelor's degree in any field.
• Language: Spanish
• Completed 4 years of high school Spanish coursework in the past 8 years
• Completed college-level Elementary II Spanish semester (Elementary III in quarter system) within the past 6 years
• Score between 50-62 on the Spanish College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam in the past 6 years
• Score Novice-High or Intermediate-Low on official American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in Spanish within the past 6 years

Schedule

Duration: 2 years, plus 3 months training

Key dates:
Apply by: December 15, 2026
Know by: February 1, 2027
Depart on: July 11, 2027