Position Summary: The HWM works closely with the Center Director, and the Community Coordinator and Cultural Liaison to coordinate all non-academic components of the program, including student health and wellness, risk management, group dynamics, community engagement, and daily program operations. The HWM will communicate with faculty and the kitchen manager to disseminate information about student needs on field trips and excursions and is responsible for ensuring that student dietary or other needs are communicated.
Location: Bocas del Toro, Panamá
Program Schedule: Start date: August 2022. Applications reviewed on rolling basis. Initial contract will be through mid-July 2023 with possibility for extension.
Virtual training will be required in early August prior to departure to Panamá.
Reports to: Center Director
Duties & Responsibilities
Under the oversight of the Center Director, the HWM, as an individual and as a member of program faculty/staff team, will:
Student Affairs:
Deliver in-country orientation and ongoing training to students in the areas of community building, critical thinking, cross-cultural issues, conflict resolution, self-awareness, communal living, and physical health/mental health and safety
Assist the HQ Admissions team in the delivery of an online Pre-Departure Orientation as needed
Act as a resource to students for their program-related, personal, and medical needs
Facilitate communication within the student group and act as a liaison between staff and students
Preemptively monitor and address individual student and group attitudes and behavior
Keep the Center Director informed of potential problems
Participate in resolving group conflict and student conduct
Facilitate establishment and support of student committees
Develop and schedule on-campus activities
Safety & Risk Management:
Support Center Director and Faculty in overseeing the safety of all program participants
Adhere to, actively model, and enforce all school-wide and program rules and polices
Utilize incident reporting system, providing written reports to SFS Headquarters
Work with and support Center Director with carrying out on-site safety audits
Work with faculty and staff to review safety protocols and risk management plans
Review and submit a Risk Management Plan to SFS headquarters prior to all field trips and excursions
Participate in the review and revision of program risk assessment and management plans, including COVID-19 protocols
Work with Center Director and staff to coordinate the program’s emergency plans, including for evacuation and fire safety
Recommend and review policies and procedures for risk management
Serve as a main point of contact for student emergencies, effectively managing crisis situations
In consultation with the Center Director, facilitate the safety and health portions of the on-site orientation
Keep all medical kits and safety supplies stocked and up to date
Re-order medical supplies as needed
Accompany students to hospital or clinic
Coordinate rooming and quarantine in event of COVID-19 infections
Coordinate food delivery to quarantined students in event of COVID-19 infection
Community Outreach:
Work with Community Coordinator and Cultural Liaison and other staff to develop and implement community outreach activities
Program Support:
As directed by the Center Director, develop or update program schedule, regularly communicating these updates to students
Maintain student activities recreational equipment in well-working condition and report broken items or re-order when necessary
Attend new program staff training prior to and during the program
Provide periodic reports, marketing materials, and student input to SFS headquarters
Participate in preparation of final reports and program field preparation guide revisions
Participate in planning activities prior to program start and in review post-program
As requested by the Center Director, assist with other logistical, group management, and administrative tasks
Communicate with kitchen about student birthdays and dates for packed lunches
Log receipts related to student health and wellness activities and expenses
Report non-functioning bathrooms or other student room issues to maintenance
Daily Program Life:
Live on-site for the duration of each program period and engage with students during mealtimes
On a rotating basis, take responsibility for Program-specific staff of the day duties
Take part in, and occasionally lead, program upkeep projects, social, and field activities
Serve as program caretaker during breaks as requested by the Center Director
Drive standard transmission vehicles
Create staff of the week and student of the day schedules
Create chore list for student of the day
Determine roommate assignments and create nametags for student dorm rooms
Go on excursions and field trips when necessary for safety reasons and be prepared to respond in the event of an emergency
Prepare all safety equipment for excursions (buoys, medical kits etc.)
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree
Advanced language ability or fluency in Spanish and English
Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification (if you do not possess this, SFS may assist you in obtaining this certification)
Experience living, working, or studying abroad
High emotional and cross-cultural intelligence
Professional experience with group facilitation or leading experiential education programs
Willingness to live and work on a residential campus, including use of shared facilities and participation in campus activities and community outreach
Accustomed to working long hours in remote environments with limited resources
Experience with crisis management, emergency response, physical and mental health support, and risk management
Commitment to ensure good relations between the SFS and the local community
Clean driving record
Ability to obtain proper work visas (with assistance from SFS)
Preferred Qualifications:
Pre-existing work eligibility in Panama
Fluency in Spanish
Advanced medical certification (e.g. EMT or WEMT certification)
Master’s degree
Experience living, working, or studying in program region
Familiarity with navigating medical resources in developing countries
Background in wilderness, travel, or tropical medicine