About this role
Environmental Educator
Project Description: Communities across Paraguay are looking for dedicated individuals who are passionate about environmental education and eager to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders.
Paraguay sits at the crossroads of several distinct ecoregions, encompassing tropical and subtropical forests, vast grasslands, and expansive wetlands. These landscapes support extraordinary biodiversity: more than 8,000 plant species, around 100,000 species of invertebrates, roughly 720 species of birds, and hundreds of mammals, reptiles, and fish. However, rapid land‑use changes—particularly the expansion of soybean farming in the Atlantic Forest and cattle ranching in the Chaco—have led to significant habitat loss. This environmental pressure is pushing emblematic species, such as jaguars, tapirs, and giant anteaters, toward endangerment. Deforestation is also contributing to higher temperatures, increased soil erosion, reduced water retention, and declining agricultural productivity, all of which affect human health and wellbeing. Solid waste management is also a critical challenge; as most communities resort to burning as the solution to plastic pollution. Governmental leaders have identified building the country’s environmental adaptation and resilience as a priority, but additional help is needed to achieve long-term progress. As an Environmental Educator, you will collaborate with schools, government officials, and community leaders to strengthen environmental education and awareness. By developing practical learning opportunities and promoting effective, nature-based solutions, you will help communities keep their environment cleaner, healthier, and more resilient for the future.
Required Skills: Associate degree in any field and at least two years of full-time, post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles). OR Bachelor's degree in any field. OR High school diploma or GED and four years of full-time, post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).
Living Conditions: Volunteers will live with a Paraguayan host family during training and for the first two months of their service, after which they are permitted to move to independent housing. Volunteers will likely live in small houses made of bricks or wood, while others may live in apartments in larger towns. All Volunteers have potable running water and electricity, though frequent outages are common. Volunteers may need to walk or bike up to 4 miles from their house on dirt roads to access transportation.
Job Highlights: Develop valuable skills in tree planting, ecosystem restoration, solid waste management, and environmental education—experience that strengthens your qualifications for a global environmental career. Contribute directly to Paraguay’s environmental adaptation efforts to build long-term resilience. Learn to speak Guarani and Spanish, deepening your cultural understanding and strengthening your ability to connect with communities.
Activities: Complete a community diagnostic to identify key resources and opportunities. Facilitate creative, practical environmental education activities in schools to build awareness and spark student engagement. Design and lead dynamic environmental clubs for youth that foster leadership, curiosity, and hands‑on learning. Organize and facilitate environmental summer camps and community events that promote outdoor learning. Facilitate tree planting initiatives to reduce extreme heat, restore green spaces, and cultivate healthier, more livable communities. Establish and maintain tree nurseries that support long-term reforestation and shade-tree projects. Support solid waste management practices, such as composting and waste‑reduction practices. You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as facilitating English language learning activities and developing community gardens.
Training: As an Environmental Educator, you will be trained on environmental education, tree planting and care, and solid waste management. Peace Corps/Paraguay will teach you Spanish and Guarani to help you comfortably live in and connect with the community.
After 10 weeks of training, you will move to a rural or semi-rural community where you will collaborate with educators and government officials to assess the environmental education needs and develop long-term solutions based on the identified priorities.