Institutional Mission:
The School for Field Studies (SFS) creates transformative study abroad experiences through field-based learning and research. Our educational programs explore the human and ecological dimensions of the complex environmental problems faced by our local partners, contributing to sustainable solutions in the places where we live and work. The SFS community is part of a growing network of individuals and institutions committed to environmental stewardship.

SFS Position on Diversity and Inclusion: 
SFS was founded with the belief that stewardship of our planet is the responsibility of people all around the world. Addressing complex global issues requires the active inclusion of stakeholders with varying perspectives and identities. We recognize that to successfully address threats to our natural world, we must look beyond social constructs designed to divide us. Just as we value biodiversity in all of its forms, we value and engage with a multitude of diverse perspectives and people in the countries where we work and the students and staff we serve. 

Position Title: 

Health and Wellness Manager (HWM) 

Location:                     

The SFS Centre for Rainforest Studies in Yungaburra, QSLD, Australia 

Reports to: 

Centre Director 

Position Summary: 

The HWM works closely with the Center Director and the Program Manager to coordinate all non-academic components of the program, including risk management, group dynamics, community engagement, and daily program operations to undergraduate students from American colleges and universities. 

Duties & Responsibilities 

Under the oversight of the Centre Director and Program Manager, the HWM, as an individual and as a member of the Centre faculty/staff team, will assist in the following areas:

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 health and safety 

• Act as a resource to students for their program-related and personal needs 

• Facilitate communication within the student group and 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 management issues and student discipline problems 

• Facilitate establishment and support of student committees 

Safety & Risk Management 

• Take responsibility for the safety of all program participants 

• Adhere to, actively model, and enforce all school-wide and program rules and polices 

• Coordinate incident reporting system and on-site safety audits 

• Ensure that Incident Reports are provided to SFS headquarters 

• Submit a Risk Management Plan to SFS headquarters prior to field trips  

• Participate in the review and revision of program risk assessment and management plans 

• Coordinate the program’s emergency plans, including for evacuation and fire safety 

• Recommend and review policies and procedures needed to manage risks 

• Coordinate the safety and health portions of the on-site orientation 

• Maintain all medical kits and safety supplies 

Community Outreach 

• Work with Centre faculty/staff to develop and implement community outreach activities 

• Arrange recreational programming for students within the local community 

• At all times, work to ensure good relations between the Centre and local community 

• Organize and facilitate guest speakers from the community 

Program Support 

• Coordinate and communicate scheduling of program to students as needed 

• Participate in training activities for new program staff 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 

• In cooperation with other program staff and as delegated by the Center Director, provide day-to-day coordination of interns 

• 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 

Daily Centre Life 

• Live on-site for the duration of each program period and take meals with students 

• On a rotating basis, take responsibility for Centre-specific staff of the day duties 

• Ensure that all staff understand the responsibilities of the staff of the day role 

• Take part in, and occasionally lead, Centre upkeep projects, social, and field activities 

• Serve as Centre caretaker during program breaks as requested by the Centre Director 

• Perform Centre maintenance duties and assist site manager with routine tasks where required 

• Occasionally, participate in food preparation for students 

• Drive standard transmission vehicles as needed 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree and experience living, working or studying abroad  

• Ability to obtain proper work visas (with assistance from SFS) required 

• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification, or ability to obtain WFR certification by program start date

• 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 emergency response, crisis management, and/or risk management 

• Clean driving record and able to operate manual transmission vehicles 

• Significant experience living, working, or studying internationally 

• High emotional and cross-cultural intelligence 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience living, working, or studying abroad 

• Familiarity with navigating medical resources in developing countries 

• Background in wilderness, travel, or tropical medicine 

• Residential affairs experience in higher education 

 Other Expectations: 

• Willingness to work flexible hours and live on site at the field station with a small team of permanent staff, groups of US undergraduate students and visiting researchers or programs 

• Commitment to ensure good relations between the SFS and local community 

• Ability to remain calm when encountering and navigating difficult situations  

• Represent SFS at local and international conferences 

Compensation/Benefits 

• Covered travel from home of record at the beginning and end of program. After one year, one additional round-trip to home of record during non-program time, or another destination of equal or lesser value. 

• On-site room and board (all meals also provided while programs are in session) 

• Auto-enrollment in an Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance plan effective from the first day of employment 

• International health insurance reimbursement at 80%, increasing with each year of service, up to 100% 

• Option to participate in SFS’s 403b retirement plan through Fidelity Investments and eligible for SFS matching contribution program after one year of service. 

To Apply:  

Submit a cover letter and resume outlining relevant experiences via the online application on the SFS Careers page at https://fieldstudies.catsone.com/careers/  

Equal Opportunity Employer: SFS is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, caste, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetics, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, national origin or ancestry, ethnic origin, or veteran status. 

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)