Guanacaste Dry Forest Conservation Fund (GDFCF)
Part-time | Approximately 20 hours/week | Remote – United States or Costa Rica
The Opportunity
The Guanacaste Dry Forest Conservation Fund (GDFCF) is seeking a highly organized, creative, bilingual professional to help us tell extraordinary conservation stories, strengthen our organizational systems, and keep the many moving pieces of a small international conservation organization moving forward.
This is not a traditional administrative position—and it isn’t primarily a fundraising position.
We’re looking for someone who enjoys wearing multiple hats: someone who can turn an exciting scientific discovery into an engaging social media post, help organize a Board meeting, keep grants and reports on schedule, coordinate a website project, research a new opportunity, and make sure important follow-up actually happens.
Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who takes ownership. The right person will be curious, learn the organization through close collaboration with the COO and colleagues in Costa Rica and the United States, anticipate what needs to happen next, and help make it happen.
The Communications & Operations Coordinator will work directly with and report to GDFCF’s Chief Operating Officer and collaborate with the Chair and other board members, donors in Costa Rica, conservation practitioners, scientists, partners, and colleagues in the United States and Costa Rica.
About GDFCF
GDFCF is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the conservation, restoration, scientific research, and long-term sustainability of Área de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG) in northwestern Costa Rica. GDFCF’s formal mission statement is to: “Promote the long-term survival of the ecosystems and biodiversity of the Área Silvestre Protegida (wild protected area) of Área de Conservación Guanacaste in Costa Rica through conservation, education, science-based management and biodiversity development.”
ACG protects an extraordinary landscape spanning tropical dry forest, rainforest, cloud forest, and marine ecosystems. GDFCF works closely with ACG and Asociación de Conservación Guanacaste Bosque y Mar, creating a genuinely international and bilingual working environment.
What You’ll Be Doing
Communications & Storytelling
You’ll help us tell the remarkable stories coming out of ACG and make sure those stories reach existing supporters as well as new audiences.
You’ll help manage GDFCF’s social media presence; develop website stories, newsletters, and digital content; turn scientific research and conservation work into compelling and accessible stories; create graphics using Canva or similar tools; coordinate with our external website and communications team; organize photography and digital media; and support communications in both English and Spanish.
As you learn the organization, you’ll increasingly manage GDFCF’s day-to-day communications independently, from maintaining the communications calendar to developing, coordinating, and publishing content.
Development Operations
You’ll help keep the systems behind our fundraising and donor stewardship work organized and moving.
You’ll track grants, proposals, reports, stewardship activities, and deadlines; research prospective funders and grant opportunities; maintain donor records; support donor acknowledgements and communications; coordinate aspects of fundraising campaigns; assist with donor visit logistics; and help ensure that commitments and follow-up are completed on time.
This role supports GDFCF’s development program but is not primarily a frontline fundraising position.
Board & Organizational Support
You’ll take an active role in keeping GDFCF’s Board and committee work organized and efficient, including scheduling and logistics, agendas and meeting materials, Board packets, first drafts of minutes, action-item tracking, and follow-up.
Activity in this area varies throughout the year and increases around Board and Executive Committee meetings.
Special Projects
We’re a small organization supporting a large and dynamic conservation effort, and new opportunities and challenges arise regularly.
You might research a technology solution, coordinate a consultant, support an event, investigate a prospective funder, organize information for a new initiative, or take on a project that wasn’t anticipated when you started.
Comfort with—and enjoyment of—this kind of variety is important in this role.
What We’re Looking For
You’ll need to have:
- Professional fluency in both English and Spanish, with excellent written English.
- Excellent writing and communication skills.
- Strong organizational and project-management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Strong social media and digital communications skills.
- Excellent judgment and attention to detail.
- Confidence with technology, including Google Workspace, and the ability to learn new tools quickly.
- The ability to work independently and effectively in a remote environment.
- The ability to travel between Costa Rica and the United States, at times staying in those locations for a week or more.
- Initiative—the ability to identify what needs to be done, set priorities, and move work forward independently.
- Professionalism, discretion, and personal integrity.
Even better if you have:
- Nonprofit or conservation experience.
- Development-operations experience.
- Canva or website-management experience.
- Experience with donor databases or CRMs, such as Little Green Light.
- Experience supporting a Board or senior leadership.
- Experience living or working in Costa Rica or experience working effectively across cultures.
- Experience using AI tools thoughtfully and effectively in professional work.
- A strong interest in conservation, biodiversity, and science.
We know excellent candidates don’t always check every box. More important than having held a particular job title is your ability to organize complex work, communicate exceptionally well, exercise good judgment, learn quickly, and take ownership.
How We Work
This role has substantial independence.
You’ll work closely with and report to the COO, who will set overall priorities and provide strategic direction. Within that framework, you’ll have considerable independence to manage your work, anticipate needs, and move projects forward.
Some responsibilities will initially involve supporting existing work. Others will become yours to manage. As you learn the organization, you’ll take increasing responsibility for recurring processes and defined areas of work, while continuing to collaborate closely with the COO and others across GDFCF, ACG, and Bosque y Mar.
Position Details
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Schedule: Part-time, approximately 20 hours per week. The position may have the potential to expand to full-time in the future, depending on organizational needs and resources. Some flexibility in working hours will be required around Board meetings, deadlines, and occasional events.
Location: Remote; United States or Costa Rica; with some expected travel to both places.
Languages: Professional fluency in English and Spanish required
Anticipated start: October/November 2026
Compensation: For candidates based in the United States, the anticipated salary range is $32,000–$38,000 per year for approximately 20 hours per week, depending on experience and qualifications. Candidates based in Costa Rica would be employed through our local NGO, Bosque y Mar, with compensation established according to its salary structure and applicable employment conditions.
How to Apply
If you would like to apply, please fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/EjCXQ6SDy679f1TB6
Selected candidates will be invited to interview. Finalists will also complete a short, practical exercise designed to reflect the actual work of the position.
