Director of Field Operations, Health, and Safety

Location: All of Osa Conservation´s Campuses, properties, and facilities

Status: Full-time; remote work with at least 2 weeks onsite at any of the Campuses or facilities.

About Osa Conservation:

Osa Conservation’s mission is to conserve the globally significant terrestrial and marine biological diversity of the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica by implementing ecosystem stewardship, enhancing scientific understanding, providing education and training, and creating sustainable economic opportunities. We believe in a holistic approach to conservation, one grounded in a systematic understanding of the ecological, social, and economic relationships that shape environmental problems. Our work is founded in science and supported by strategic partnerships, well-informed decision-making processes, and a strong commitment to improving lives through protecting nature. We recognize that in order for conservation to succeed, it must be coupled with science, community engagement, and strong systems of support upon which to collaboratively build a more sustainable future.

Summary of this Role:

This leadership position plays a key, central role in designing, implementing and supervising the overall operations and health and safety strategy of Osa Conservation ́s Campuses, including all infrastructure, facilities and properties. As Director of Field Operations & Health and Safety, this role is responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining health and safety protocols and measures within the organization as the lead manager of OC´s Health and Safety Committee.

In collaboration with the COO, this role is also expected to be involved in day-to-day field operation matters. Reporting to both the COO and to the Executive Director, this position is expected to form part of, and actively participate in the senior management group of OC.

As part of the senior leadership team of the organization, this position should take the lead in providing leadership to OC´s Campus operations and health and safety management, with effective planning, key decision making, creation and implementation of policies. This includes creating safety policies, conducting risk assessments, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and providing proper and timely safety training.

Osa Conservation encompasses a team of almost 60 full time staff, 3000ha’s of private land dedicated to research, education and conservation, and facilities that make up the Conservation Campus (x2 field stations, a VIP visitor retreat, a regenerative farm, over 25 km of trails). In a short term, OC will begin the
development of a new Campus and staff facility in the Highlands, for which this role will play a key role in it´s planning, construction and operations.

As one of the most critical and top positions within the organization, this position requires the candidate to have a keen eye for health and safety measures and attention to detail; to be a skilled communicator and leader, ensuring that OC has all necessary systems and resources to safely operate in it´s 2 campuses, the Puerto Jimenez office and Marine Facility.

This position is hired and supervised by the COO and the ED of OC. It supervises the OC Campuses Directors, and subsequently their teams. Excellent management skills, a solid and vast experience in health and safety management, supervision and protocols, good communication, team-building, and conservation abilities are required.

Main Responsibilities:

• Head and lead Director of the organization’s health and safety committee; ensuring an active, well formed and balanced committee with effective leadership, diverse representation and commitment from all programs, and clear, well-defined objectives in order to foster a safety – conscious culture and monitor enforcement of all protocols.
• Develop, update and supervise enforcement of health and safety organizational policies and protocols and ensure compliance with relevant national regulations and standards.
• Draft, implement and supervise annual health and safety work plans for OC Campuses´, properties and facilities.
• Communicate health and safety information to all levels of the organization and promote awareness of safety protocols.
• Develop and implement safety training programs for all employees.
• Conduct regular safety audits and inspections in order to closely supervise the effectiveness of safety measures and identify areas of improvement from day-to-day operations of OC Campuses and programs.
• Conduct through risk assessments to identify potential risks or hazards in the workplace and implement preventive measures across all Campuses and programs.
• Implement mechanisms for continuous improvement in safety performance and track indicators related to health and safety.
• Investigate incidents, track safety performance, and implement corrective actions to prevent future occurrences across all programs.
• Provide high level planning and technical support to COO and to OCC´s Directors. Provide input into multi-year implementation, staffing and infrastructure plans, as well as input into OCCs Governance.
• Work closely with the COO, the organization ́s lawyer, and any necessary outside consultant on ensuring high level standards for constructions projects, trail and road maintenance, operation permits, among others.
• Oversee proper implementation of health and safety measures within outside contractor agreements, construction or any other outside professional services contracts.
• Work with the Executive Director and senior staff to ensure that OC´s mission and vision is fulfilled through strategic planning of Campuses´ operations.
• Responsible for the enhancement of Osa Conservation’s image by maintaining the Campuses at a high standard of operations, infrastructure and safety measures.

Qualifications Required:

• Commitment to and experienced in the environmental sector, conservation, and/or property management.
• Graduate education – Bachelor’s Degree, Masters or PhD in a relevant and related field (environmental/management/non-profit management).
• Ideally 5+ years direct experience in project management with regards to health and safety management and enforcement.
• Experience in communications is a plus. Or extensive experience from another field with at least 5+ years in management and leadership roles – and some experience with non-profits/environmental fields.
• Entrepreneurial and demonstrated ability to troubleshoot/ problem solve within the framework of a dynamic, international team in remote field conditions.
• Willing to be onsite and present for a significant amount of time at the Osa Conservation Campuses in Costa Rica.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Spanish and English.