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Serve where you’re needed mostYouth Development Specialist
Youth in Development
Job highlights
Costa Rica • North America
In partnership with: Ministry of Public Education (MEP)
Applications are now closed. View current openings.
Apply by
November 15, 2025Know by
January 1, 2026Depart on
June 8, 2026Duration
12 monthsAbout the project
The Ministry of Public Education in Costa Rica has requested the support of a Peace Corps Response Volunteer (PCRV) to serve as a Youth Development Specialist focused on student life/affairs. The Pedagogical Advisory Department within MEP is the local authority for all public education programs related to student life/affairs. These programs include Programa Convivir (focused on improving student relationships and a sense of community in schools), Network for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Orientation Program, Permanence Unit for Reintegration and School Success, attention to the phenomenon of drugs, and management of coexistence in the educational center. All of these programs are aimed at promoting participatory activities within schools in a sustainable manner, promoting sexual and reproductive health, strengthening positive human relationships within the educational community, as well as promoting positive relationships based on respect, participation, identity, a sense of belonging, celebration of culture, and to promote academic success.
A PCRV with a degree in social work or related field, three or more years of relevant experience, such as in organizational development/capacity building, social work for youth, or experience serving youth organizations, and an intermediate-high level of Spanish has been requested to support these initiatives and contribute to the design of new strategies and methodologies to provide guidance and training for teachers, students and administrative staff of MEP’s Regional Office. The PCRV’s will help support the National Coexistence Plan and dropout prevention initiatives at the regional level, and to contribute to the design of new strategies and methodologies to provide guidance and training to teachers, students and administrative staff of the MEP Regional Office in ciudad Quisada, San Carlos. The Volunteer will design and implement activities that promote the development of skills in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) area and develop workshops for the teaching staff of STEAM and Convivir teams on how to implement strategies in the educational centers that promote the development of STEAM skills and support prevention actions for healthy coexistence. The goal of this assignment is to strengthen the student life programs and skills of school staff.
Candidates selected for this position will be arriving in Costa Rica together as a group, so while the departure dates for the whole group could change, dates cannot be changed for individual candidates.
Learn more about what Volunteers do in country by visiting our Costa Rica project page.
Required skills
Qualified candidates will have the following criteria:
• MA/MS in Social Work, Counseling, Clinical Psychology.
• 3 or more years of relevant experience, such as in organizational development/capacity building, social work for youth, or experience serving youth organizations.
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:
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
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.
