Apply by
January 1, 2025
Know by
March 1, 2025
Depart on
August 31, 2025
Duration
2 years, plus 3 months training
Project description
Since 1963, over 5,000 Volunteers have served in Guatemala making it one of the Peace Corps’ longest standing posts. Volunteers serve in municipalities in one of six departments in the Western Highlands. A country of striking features and a strong indigenous culture, Guatemala's natural beauty and powerful identity stand prominent in Central America. Indigenous populations make up about half of the population, with a high concentration in the Western Highlands. More than 20 indigenous languages are spoken alongside Spanish. Strategically located, with substantial natural resources and a young multi-ethnic population, Guatemala has enormous potential to generate growth and prosperity for its people. High rates of childhood malnutrition and low rates of opportunities for youth, women and the indigenous populations threaten Guatemala’s ability to reach its full potential. Peace Corps Guatemala responds to these inequalities through strategic governmental collaborations and community empowerment within four program areas: Youth in Development, Maternal and Child Health, Community Economic Development, and Rural Extension.
Over 50 percent of Guatemala’s population is currently under the age of 25. This poses both a challenge and an opportunity. Some youths are not provided with sufficient information and agency to make decisions about their health and well-being. Parents, service providers, and community leaders can empower youth to be positive agents of change in their communities.
The Youth in Development program seeks to support Guatemalan youth in their transition to becoming healthy, productive, civically engaged adults. To reach this goal, Volunteers will collaborate with youth and key community members to strengthen knowledge and skills in the areas of health, well-being, and life skills. Projects will promote and strengthen community engagement and build capacity among youth service providers, educators, and community leaders in the implementation of positive youth development methodologies.
Volunteers will collaborate with local youth service providers to provide learning and engagement opportunities to youth between the ages of 12 to 18 and implement positive youth development activities. Youth service providers can be teachers, principals, municipality workers, NGO workers, or any other local member that works with training and empowering youth. The Volunteers’ primary role is to serve as a Program Coordinator and co-lead youth development efforts inside and outside of school, typically in a public middle school setting. The Volunteer serves as a trainer, co-facilitator, and mentor to collaborate on designing and implementing health and life skills training for Guatemalan youth with the youth service providers. Topics include life skills development, sexual and reproductive health, substance abuse prevention, service learning, leadership, and community engagement. Common Volunteer activities in the school setting include but are not limited to life skills classes, youth clubs, school fairs, school assemblies, arts, and work with student councils. Common Volunteer activities outside of the school setting include but are not limited to participation in local community meetings, sports, church groups, women’s groups, environmental clubs, and work with Non-Governmental-Organizations (NGOs).
A large part of the role is collaborating directly with youth and adults in both traditional and non-traditional learning environments and being sensitive and flexible to cultural norms.
Climate change activities
Trainees and volunteers will receive an introductory package to climate change and climate literacy starting in pre-service training with additional training in service to support their action in communities. Examples of potential activities Volunteers may find the opportunity to partner on include co-facilitating educational activities on climate change, adaptation and resilience for in-school and out-of-school youth like climate literacy sessions, school gardens, and service-learning opportunities.
Required Skills
Qualified candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any field
OR
- 5 years' professional work experience
Desired Skills
Competitive candidates will have one or more of the following:
- Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Education, Youth Development, Applied Behavioral Science, or a related field.
- Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Social Studies, Psychology, Education, Youth Development, Applied Behavioral Science, or other related field and at least 3 months of experience working with youth and/or families.
- 3 years of professional experience working with youth and/or families, preferably from under-resourced communities, OR
At least one year of demonstrated experience and competency in three or more of the following (in order of priority):
- Developing, designing, and/or delivering life skills workshops through areas such as but not limited to health, education, formal/informal teaching, guidance counseling, mentoring, recreation and sports, fine arts, or community-organized events.
- Transferring knowledge and skills to youth in one or multiple settings such as but not limited to schools, community centers, youth groups, and non-profit organizations.
- Experience working with local networks to promote positive youth engagement coordinating and facilitating individual and group activities and/or training sessions for youth and adults in the community on various topics.
- Experience with strong communication and interpersonal skills to establish solid working relationships with important local stakeholders in an intercultural environment.
- Experience both working independently and as part of a team.
Required Language Skills
Candidates must meet one or more of the language requirements below in order to be considered for this position.
- Completed 4 years of high school Spanish coursework within the past 8 years
- Completed minimum 2 semesters of Spanish college‐level coursework within the past 6 years
- Native/fluent speaker of Spanish
Candidates who do not meet the language proficiency levels above can take the language placement exams to demonstrate their level of proficiency. Applicants must attain a score of 50 on the Spanish College Level Examination Program CLEP exam or a score of Novice‐High on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL OPI). Volunteers need to demonstrate an Intermediate Mid level of oral and written proficiency in Spanish for community placement by the end of Pre-Service Training. Most Volunteers will work directly in Spanish, and some will work in communities with Mayan languages with support from a Spanish/Mayan speaking community member. Mayan languages will not be taught during Pre-Service Training. Volunteers serving in areas where Mayan languages are spoken may elect to study the local language once they arrive to their community to assist with integration into the community and basic communication. Peace Corps Guatemala can provide funding to engage in tutoring in their host community.
Living conditions
Community and Housing
Most Volunteers live in medium-sized to larger rural communities (3,000 - 40,000 people). Most communities have electricity and running water, but the supply may be intermittent. Fruits, vegetables, and meats are available in the community or in nearby communities. Housing typically consists of cement block structures with a private bedroom and shared kitchen, bathroom, and living rooms. The phone plan Peace Corps provides includes credit for some local calls and limited internet. Most Volunteers have access to internet in their communities either in a local internet café or by purchasing additional internet data.
Host Family Situation
Volunteers will be required to live with a host family for the full duration of their service in Guatemala. This is to increase integration and for continuous orientation to the local safety and security concerns. It is important that applicants be willing and eager to interact and live with a Guatemalan host family. Many Volunteers cook for themselves during service, but some opt to eat with their host family or in small local restaurants.
Diversity Challenges
While Guatemala is generally tolerant, values concerning sexual orientation and gender identity may be different from those in the U.S. Volunteers will need to be mindful of cultural norms and use their judgement to determine the best way to approach communicating sexual orientation and gender identity in their communities and host countries. Volunteers who are of an American racial, ethnic, or national minority or whose religious or spiritual beliefs differ from the majority of their country of service may find they experience a high degree of curiosity or unwanted attention from host country nationals. Staff and currently serving Volunteers will address these topics during Pre-Service Training and identify support mechanisms for incoming trainees.
Climate
Volunteers are placed in Guatemalan communities which may be quite mountainous and, due to the altitude, can be cool to cold at night. Dressing in layers is the best way to deal with the daily temperature variations. The sunlight is strong, even during colder temperatures.
Dress
Personal appearance is important to people in Guatemala, so professional or business casual dress is expected. Dressing appropriately helps Volunteers to gain respect in their host community, facilitate integration, and increase credibility and effectiveness. It is advised to take cues from Guatemalan colleagues, and dress to meet/exceed their standards of professionalism.
To be culturally appropriate during service, men and individuals who do not
present as women should avoid wearing earrings. Volunteers with multiple piercings should initially refrain from wearing multiple earrings. Volunteers must have no visible facial or body piercings and tattoos will need to be concealed. In Guatemala, tattoos may be associated with criminal activity. Likewise, having visible body piercings may make it more difficult to integrate into the host community. Peace Corps/Guatemala staff ask Volunteers to be flexible regarding personal appearance to facilitate integration in training and during service.
Cultural Considerations
Guatemala is a very traditional and religious society. People’s roles in regard to gender, work, and the community are more clearly defined along gender roles than in the U.S. Volunteers must be aware, tolerant, and respectful of their practices, customs, way of life, and adapt accordingly.
The cultural and security considerations for alcohol use differ greatly in Guatemala and the United States. Volunteers must understand and evaluate the social and cultural implications of alcohol use in their communities. Peace Corps service has many stressors and it is important for applicants to bring healthy self-care practices and coping strategies that will help them serve positively. Conversations
and guidance on coping strategies will be shared during the Pre-Service Train
Learn more about the Volunteer experience in Guatemala: Get detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and health/crime statistics in order to make a well-informed decision about serving.
Medical considerations
Before you apply, please review medical clearance and legal clearance to learn about the process.
Couples information
