About Wild Sun Rescue

Wild Sun Rescue is a licensed wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center located in Cabuya on Costa Rica's southern Nicoya Peninsula, adjacent to the Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve. Since opening in 2016, Wild Sun has rescued and rehabilitated more than 1,400 wild animals representing dozens of native species while working toward their successful return to the wild.

Our mission extends beyond rehabilitation. We are building a conservation organization that combines wildlife medicine, ecological research, environmental education, habitat restoration, and community engagement to create lasting conservation solutions throughout the region.

The rescue center is surrounded by tropical rainforest, beaches, rivers, and one of Costa Rica's most important biological corridors. The area supports howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, scarlet macaws, parrots, anteaters, coatis, tayras, and an extraordinary diversity of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and tropical plants. Every day offers opportunities to work in one of the world's richest ecosystems while making a measurable difference for wildlife conservation.

Position Overview

Wild Sun Rescue is seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated conservation biologist with a Master's degree or higher to lead our education, research, and internship programs.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys mentoring university students while developing applied conservation projects that create tangible outcomes for wildlife and habitat protection.

The successful candidate will coordinate multiple educational programs, supervise interns and volunteers from around the world, and help shape the future direction of Wild Sun's conservation initiatives.

This is a leadership position with substantial autonomy. We are looking for someone who wants to build programs, develop partnerships, inspire students, and produce conservation work that has lasting impact.

Primary Responsibilities

Program Leadership

Lead and coordinate Wild Sun's educational and professional development programs, including:

• Biology Internship Program
• Pre-Veterinary Internship Program
• Grant Writing Volunteer Program
• Continuing Education retreats for veterinarians and veterinary professionals
• University research placements
• Visiting researchers and academic collaborations
• Additional educational programs as they are developed

Responsibilities include recruiting, scheduling, curriculum development, participant mentoring, project coordination, quality assurance, and continual improvement of each program.

Biology Internship Coordination

Lead a hands-on biology internship that prepares students for careers in conservation.

Responsibilities include:

• Supervising biology interns
• Teaching field methods and ecological techniques
• Delivering lectures and workshops
• Developing field exercises
• Mentoring student research
• Evaluating intern performance
• Ensuring each intern contributes meaningfully to Wild Sun's conservation objectives

Applied Conservation Research

Develop and oversee research projects that directly support Wild Sun's mission.

Potential initiatives include:

• Habitat suitability assessments for future wildlife reintroductions
• GIS mapping of wildlife electrocutions to identify mitigation priorities and support conservation advocacy
• Research supporting responsible pet ownership legislation
• Biological corridor planning and landscape connectivity
• Reforestation planning and habitat restoration
• Wildlife monitoring using camera traps and field surveys
• Biodiversity inventories
• Human-wildlife conflict mitigation
• Conservation planning for threatened species

Research should be designed to answer practical conservation questions that guide management decisions and improve outcomes for wildlife.

Scientific Leadership

The coordinator will help establish Wild Sun as a regional leader in applied conservation science by:

• Developing long-term research programs
• Building collaborations with universities
• Supervising undergraduate and graduate research
• Writing scientific reports
• Preparing manuscripts for publication
• Assisting with grant proposals
• Presenting conservation findings
• Building partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and conservation organizations

Organizational Development

The coordinator will also contribute to the long-term growth of Wild Sun by helping identify new educational opportunities, developing innovative conservation initiatives, supporting fundraising efforts, strengthening academic partnerships, and improving existing programs.

Qualifications

Required:

• Master's degree or PhD in Biology, Wildlife Biology, Conservation Biology, Ecology, Zoology, Environmental Science, or a closely related field
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills
• Strong written and verbal English
• Experience supervising students, volunteers, or research assistants
• Ability to work independently in a dynamic field environment

Preferred:

• GIS experience
• Scientific writing and publication experience
• Grant writing experience
• Tropical field experience
• Conservation education experience
• Spanish language skills
• Wildlife rehabilitation experience

Compensation

This is a conservation fellowship-style position designed for professionals who are motivated by meaningful impact and exceptional experience.

Compensation includes:

• Private on-site accommodation
• Utilities and internet
• Living stipend
• Opportunity to develop independent conservation projects
• Scientific leadership experience
• Collaboration with veterinarians, conservation professionals, and universities
• Opportunity to publish applied conservation research
• Work in one of Costa Rica's most biologically diverse regions

Why Join Wild Sun?

This position offers a rare opportunity to shape an expanding conservation organization while mentoring future conservation professionals and developing research that directly influences wildlife management, habitat restoration, environmental policy, and biodiversity conservation.

Rather than producing research that sits on a shelf, your work will help protect wildlife, guide restoration efforts, strengthen conservation policy, improve rehabilitation outcomes, and inspire the next generation of wildlife professionals.