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Connect with the Peace Corps
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Apply to the Peace Corps
The application process begins by selecting a service model and finding an open position.
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If you are flexible in where you serve for the two-year Peace Corps Volunteer program, our experts can match you with a position and country based on your experience and preferences.
Serve where you’re needed mostCommunications and Marketing Specialist
Community Economic Development
Job highlights
- Exchange creative communications and marketing strategies with other professionals in the field.
- Strengthen Spanish language skills through daily collaborations and interactions.
- Experience Costa Rica’s rich culture and the pura vida lifestyle.
Costa Rica • North America
In partnership with: Municipal Government
Get answers live — every weekday at .
Apply by
July 15, 2026Know by
September 1, 2026Depart on
February 2, 2027Duration
12 monthsAbout the project
Marketing and communications professionals, your skills are requested by municipality workers in Costa Rica who wish to promote opportunities and services among citizens.
The Municipality is both a town and canton (similar to a county) southeast of downtown San José, the capital of Costa Rica. In 2016, the Municipality opened a press office to centralize and optimize communications as well as to distribute useful information to community members. The press office has since employed various promotions, such as brochures, billboards, and multi-channel advertisements. Despite these efforts, the municipality recognizes there is still much more work to do. For example, there have been missed opportunities to inform the community of major events, such as job fairs, cultural activities, and tax collection events, resulting in low attendance levels. By strengthening the municipality’s marketing and communications, local stakeholders aim to better support the community’s interests and needs. A better-informed citizenry will be more engaged and exhibit higher levels of satisfaction with their local government.
As a Communications and Marketing Specialist, you will collaborate with the local government to develop a cohesive and holistic communications strategy. Together, you will expand the press office’s reach and their tools’ effectiveness. You will also identify opportunities to connect municipality offices and stakeholders in a shared goal.
Learn more about what Volunteers do in country by visiting our Costa Rica project page.
Required skills
Qualified candidates will have the following criteria:
Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or hospitality and tourism.
AND
Three years of experience in tourism marketing and/or hospitality planning and project implementation.
Language: Spanish
A. Completed 4 years of high school Spanish coursework in the past 8 years
B. Completed college-level Elementary II Spanish semester (Elementary III in quarter system) within the past 6 years
C. Score between 50-62 on the Spanish College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam in the past 6 years
D. 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
Required behavioral competencies
These competencies are essential for all service assignments and are assessed in the application and interview process:
Motivation for and commitment to service
Adaptability and open-mindedness
Problem solving and resourcefulness
Behavioral maturity and professionalism
Photos from Costa Rica
How you and the community will make an impact together:
Design a new communications and marketing strategy that results in improved information dissemination, both internally and externally, while remaining aligned with the municipality’s objectives.
Design promotional and informational campaigns for municipal programs, events, services and activities.
Create digital content, graphic designs, audiovisuals, and other resources on the municipality’s social media platforms and external channels.
Coach municipal staff on customer service, assertive communication, and managing communication outlets.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as English tutoring and coaching youth sports.
The type of housing assigned will depend on availability at the time and place of the Volunteer’s assignment. Housing may take various forms, including independent living in an apartment, studio, house, or sharing with a family within a family compound. The Volunteer will be able to walk, bike, or use public transportation to commute.
Learn more about the living conditions, including detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and health/crime statistics on our Costa Rica country page. You can also delve into stories about local communities by reading our blog or Volunteer stories.
Meet a Volunteer in Costa Rica
Henry B.
Elementary English Education Volunteer
"Dancing is big in my community, and it has been a great way to meet people and to distinguish myself from the tourists who are constantly coming through town."
See full Volunteer profile
After two weeks of orientation on topics such as health and safety, you will move to an urban community where you will collaborate with the Municipal govevernment. You will work with the partner and your community to assess the local needs and develop a work plan in line with their established goals.
Peace Corps/Costa Rica will support you if you choose to work with a local tutor who can further advance your language skills to better connect with the community.
To learn more about serving as a couple in Costa Rica, visit the country page.
Application process
From application to departure takes around nine months. Learn about the application process for Volunteer opportunities.
Medical/legal clearance
You will need to be cleared medically and legally in order to serve in Costa Rica. Review information on medical clearance and legal clearance to learn about the process.
