Youth Development Educator

Special benefits

• Extensive language, technical, and intercultural training
• Hands-on, valuable international work experience
• Travel to and from country, housing and monthly living allowance, and full coverage of medical and dental needs during service

• Competitive advantage for federal hiring and opportunities to save on graduate degrees and other education programs
• Monthly accrued Volunteer service award (readjustment allowance) totaling $10,800 before taxes, with option to access for ongoing financial obligations

Key dates

Apply by
December 15, 2026

Know by
February 1, 2027

Depart on
July 11, 2027

Duration
2 years, plus 3 months training

About the project

Ready to help the next generation become confident leaders? Costa Rican schools and communities are looking for you!

Young people in Costa Rica represent nearly one-third of the population, making them one of the country's greatest assets for the future. More than a third of children under the age of 12 live below the poverty line though, and girls ages 12-19 face disproportionate responsibilities at home than boys the same age. This limits their opportunities for healthy development and place additional pressure on schools that are navigating issues, such as violence, drugs, mental health concerns, and resource deficiencies. Recognizing education's critical role in national development, the Ministry of Public Education is interested in strengthening life skills education, encouraging youth leadership, and expanding prevention-focused programs.

As a Youth Development Educator, you will collaborate with school staff to equip youth with essential life skills. Working alongside teachers and counselors, you will create opportunities for youth to become positive community leaders through service, recreation, arts, and cultural activities. Over time, this work strengthens families, schools, and community networks, contributing to safer, more supportive environments and advancing Costa Rica's development goals.

Learn more about what Volunteers do in country by visiting our Costa Rica project page .

Requirements

Behavioral competencies

These competencies are essential for all service assignments and are assessed in the application and interview process:

1. Motivation for and commitment to service
2. Adaptability and open-mindedness
3. Problem solving and resourcefulness
4. Behavioral maturity and professionalism

Education/experience

Qualified candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:

Bachelor's degree in any field.
Spanish language

Qualified candidates will meet one of the following criteria:

1. High school: Completed 4 years of Spanish coursework within the past 8 years
2. College: Completed Spanish Elementary II (e.g., 102, 1002) in the semester system (Elementary III in quarter system) within the past 6 years
3. College Level Examination Program (CLEP): Score 50-62 on the Spanish exam in the past 6 years
4. American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL): Score of Novice-High or Intermediate-Low on official Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in Spanish within the past 6 years
5. Native Spanish speaker