Rural Ecotourism Specialist
Project Description
The Comisión Nacional Forestal (CONAFOR – National Forest Service) in Mexico has requested the support of a Peace Corps Response Volunteer (PCRV) to serve as a Rural Ecotourism Specialist. CONAFOR is working with communities and ejidos (an area of communal land used for agriculture in which community members have usufruct rights rather than ownership rights to the land) to help them adapt to, and overcome, some of the environmental challenges they are experiencing, and three ejidos—Ejido San Agustín Tlaxco, Ejido NCPE Mariano Matamoros, and Ejido El Rosario—have been identified as having the potential to implement sustainable rural tourism projects to promote regional development and reduce environment degradation. CONAFOR is interested in collaborating with a PCRV to support, guide, and train the ejidatarios (members of the ejido) on planning and implementing sustainable rural tourism projects.
The PCRV will work in coordination with their CONAFOR counterparts to become familiar with each ejido, its members and their interests, needs, priorities, and resources available and define a work plan for each ejido. The PCRV will also provide support to create and operate a community tourism service provider and co-design and facilitate adequate training for the ejidatarios based on previously identified knowledge and skills needed in relation to tourism development and management, tourism service operations, etc.
Please note that departure dates and other details of this project could change because of the uncertainties as Peace Corps and local partners resume volunteer operations. Candidates selected for this position will be arriving in Mexico together as a group, so while the departure dates for the whole group could change, dates cannot be changed for individual candidates.
Volunteer safety is of paramount importance, and the protections of U.S. citizenship promote volunteer safety. Under Mexican law, anyone born in Mexico who became a U.S. citizen after 1998 or anyone holding dual U.S. and Mexican citizenship is considered a citizen of Mexico, and not of the United States. If such an individual faced a legal, safety or other emergency situation in Mexico, the Peace Corps' ability to intervene could be limited. Therefore, the PC will not place in Mexico individuals who are either dual citizens of Mexico and the U.S. or who were born in Mexico and became U.S. citizens after 1998. If you fit either of these categories, we encourage you to look at other opportunities with PC Response.
Partner Information
Comisión Nacional Forestal (CONAFOR – National Forest Service)
Required Skills
• Bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology, ecology, resource conservation, forestry, business development, entrepreneurship, or related field
• Two years of experience with ecotourism or sustainable economic development
• Advanced Spanish
• High tolerance for ambiguity and high level of flexibility
The Peace Corps embraces and leverages the diversity of its volunteers as a reflection of America's diversity. Peace Corps Response is committed to reflecting the diversity of the United States in the professionals we send into the field to support the mission of world peace and friendship. Applicants with diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Serving in Mexico
Learn more about the Volunteer experience in Mexico: Get detailed information on culture, communications, housing, health, and safety -- including health and crime statistics -- in order to make a well-informed decision about serving.
Medical Considerations
Before you apply, please review Medical Information for Applicants to learn about the medical clearance process.
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