Field Biologist for Osa Conservation in Costa Rica's southern Pacific Ocean
Wildlife Biologist: Osa Conservation is hiring a Field Biologist for our conservation campus in Costa Rica's southern Pacific Ocean.
Position: Field Biologist-Wildlife Program
Location: Osa Conservation Campus
Status: Full-time Organizational Overview
Osa Conservation (OC) works to protect and restore one of the most biologically intense places on Earth — the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica. Our work integrates science, ecosystem restoration, community engagement, and education to ensure long-term biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Our multidisciplinary team of approximately ~90 staff members works across terrestrial and marine ecosystems to generate science-based solutions that protect biodiversity while supporting local livelihoods. The Wildlife Program focuses on addressing major threats to biodiversity, including gaps in ecological knowledge, habitat fragmentation, and climate change. Through landscape-scale monitoring, restoration science, and participatory conservation approaches, the program generates scientific evidence to guide conservation actions across the Osa Peninsula and beyond.
Position Overview
The Field Biologist plays a key role in implementing wildlife monitoring and biodiversity research programs, with a strong focus on bird monitoring and landscape-level biodiversity assessments. The role combines field research, data management, and scientific collaboration while contributing to citizen science initiatives and conservation outreach activities. Based at the Osa Conservation Campus, the Field Biologist will conduct fieldwork across the conservation landscape, including remote sites within the Osa Peninsula and surrounding protected areas.
Key Responsibilities
Implement and improve Osa Conservación’s long-term monitoring efforts, primarily focused on, but not limited to, birds in southern Costa Rica. Lead and implement wildlife monitoring activities using conservation technologies, including, but not limited to, camera traps, acoustic devices, mist netting, mobile applications, and digital platforms. Support citizen science initiatives and community field activities, mostly leading bird walks and promoting the use of platforms like eBird and iNaturalist to stimulate sustained participation in biodiversity monitoring. Provide technical support on data collection, analysis, and database handling, following standardized protocols to integrate monitoring results into conservation planning. Participate in educational and science communication activities in cooperation with the Campus and other OC Programs, organizing bird hikes and talks for students and visitors, and hosting lodge talks, mostly regarding OC’s bird research and conservation work. Support the general Wildlife Program activities such as assisting Field Technicians, interns, and volunteers during fieldwork, maintaining monitoring equipment and inventories, writing reports and scientific articles, and any other activities requested by the Wildlife Program Team Leader.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Ecology, Conservation Biology, Natural Resource Management, or related field
- Experience conducting biodiversity monitoring and ecological field surveys
- Knowledge of bird monitoring techniques
- Experience working in remote field environments
- Experience managing ecological datasets
- Valid driver’s license (manual transmission preferred)
- Strong organizational and communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in a related field
- Experience working in tropical ecosystems, Knowledge of Neotropical bird communities
- Experience with mist-netting techniques
- Experience with GIS software (QGIS or ArcGIS)
- Experience using R or other ecological analysis software
- Experience with conservation technologies such as camera traps, acoustic monitoring, or drones
- Fluency in Spanish and English: Working Conditions
This position requires frequent work in remote field locations under challenging environmental conditions, including extended fieldwork and physically demanding activities.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a CV and cover letter to hr@osaconservation.org with the subject line “Field Biologist Application” by the end of the day on May 8th 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.