International Field Studies, Inc. (IFS) is a non-profit organization promoting science education and conservation since 1970. IFS manages Forfar Field Station on Andros Island, The Bahamas. IFS provides students with the unique opportunity for hands-on, outdoor, environmental education. Offering trips that range in length from one week to one semester, subjects such as marine biology, botany, ornithology, geology, oceanography, or ichthyology can be covered individually as areas of specialization or comprehensively in a broad overview of subtropical ecology. There are also many topics to be explored in the social sciences as there is a rich culture and interesting history embodied in the people on the island.

Andros is the largest island in The Bahamas but is sparsely populated with little development. Located off the east coast of the island is the third largest fringing barrier reef in the world and the Tongue of the Ocean. While Andros is home to different plant communities and a wide variety of endemic plants and animals, geologists are also attracted to many features in The Bahamas, including the thick limestone foundations of the islands and the deep channels that cut between them. Andros is famous for its 178 inland and 50 oceanic blue holes.

Environmental Education: IFS employees supplement the group leader's knowledge with local site information and topical lectures. The level of assistance with educational programming will vary according to the group leader’s expertise and experience. IFS employees should be prepared to act as naturalists with a general knowledge of all the terrestrial and marine ecosystems of Andros.

Trip Facilitation: IFS employees are expected to stay in close contact with the group leaders, transport groups to their desired sites, and monitor the group's safety while doing so.

Field Station Operations: There are daily, weekly, and monthly tasks to be completed to maintain the full operation of the field station. Each IFS employee will be involved in varying degrees with the daily tasks, such as interacting with the guests, working the Lodge, running errands, unloading shipments, communicating with the office in Columbus, Ohio, and other duties as necessary.

Maintenance: All employees participate in the maintenance and repair of the vehicles, boats, buildings, other equipment, landscaping, and other facilities tasks as needed. 

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Education, Marine Biology, Ecology, Fisheries, Botany, Geology, Environmental Biology, or similar science or education major
• Experience with swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, lifeguarding, and/or species identification
• Experience with facilitation and leading trips
• Experience creating and presenting educational programming (middle school to adult audiences a plus)
• Key personality traits include: ability to live and work in a small group environment with limited personal space in rustic and rural conditions, flexible and adaptable, responsible and safety conscious, relatable and personable with students/group leaders/visitors/locals, a team player with a good work ethic
• Must have a valid Driver’s License and be comfortable driving large vans on unpaved, rural roads
• Must consent to and pass a background check
• Physical requirements: Must be able to spend time snorkeling, swimming, walking for up to 8 hours a day, climb up and down ladders, must be able to lift 50 lbs, and must be able to drive a van for up to 1.5 hours at a time
• PADI Dive Instructor or PADI Divemaster certifications are preferable, but not required