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Rural Extension Agent

Peace
Corps

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COUNTRY
Guatemala
REGION
Central America and Mexico
SECTOR
Agriculture
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
Spanish

ACCEPTS COUPLES
Yes
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
16

APPLY BY
July 1, 2017
KNOW BY
Sept. 1, 2017
DEPART BY
Feb. 26, 2018

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Project Description
Rural Extension Agents work to support the government of Guatemala in meeting the
challenges of food insecurity through strengthening the Ministry of Agricultures national
extension system. The purpose of the Rural Extension Project is to strengthen the capacity of
extension agents and community promoters in planning, organization, and management for
the effective delivery of knowledge and rural extension services.

Key Activities:
Rural Extension Agents will work toward the project purpose through implementation of the
following key activities:

Community Diagnostics: Utilize participatory diagnostic tools to assess the needs of

extension agents and community promoters as well as the needs within the communities being
served.
Resource Management: Aid in the compilation of an inventory of existing educational
resources and develop new materials to fill gaps.
Technical Assistance: Support extension agents and community promoters with the
implementation of:
o Planning skills
o Design for behavior change
o Adult experiential learning methods and session plans
o Diverse extension strategies (e.g., fairs, farmer exchanges, experimentation)
o Leadership skills and strategies to form and strengthen community groups
o Coaching
o Strategies to promote inclusion of diverse groups in extension services
o The process for participatory community development
o Effective monitoring and evaluation practices

Co-Facilitation/Mentoring: Co-facilitate and mentor community promoters through training

in:
o Improved farming practices (agriculture and small animal husbandry)
o Improved household practices (nutrition and hygiene)

Required Skills
Qualified candidates will have an expressed interest in working in agriculture and 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
Experience in agriculture or animal husbandry.
Experience in home health in rural communities.
Involvement in rural community planning, organizing, mentoring, or leadership processes
within the past four years.
Willingness to work in unstructured settings.
Experience working in an adult-centered teaching environment.
Self-starter, open-minded, friendly, and persistent in the face of challenges.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Required Language Skills

Candidates must meet one or more of the language requirements below in order to be
considered for this position.

A. Completed 4 years of high school Spanish coursework within the past 8 years
B. Completed minimum 2 semesters of Spanish collegelevel coursework within the past 6
years
C. 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. Competitive applicants typically
attain a score of 50 on the Spanish College Level Examination Program CLEP exam or a score
of NoviceHigh on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL OPI).

Additional Language Information

Volunteers need to demonstrate an Intermediate level of oral and written proficiency in

Spanish for site placement by the end of Pre-Service Training (PST). Most Volunteers will work
directly in Spanish and some may work in Spanish with a Mayan language translator.
Volunteers serving in areas where Mayan languages are spoken will study the local language
once they arrive in their community to assist with integration into the community and basic
communication.

Living Conditions

Guatemala (meaning land of trees) is a populous country of diverse nature and culture. The
colorful communities of its Western Highlands, where all Peace Corps Volunteers live, are the
home of traditional societies of Mayan decent. Living conditions in these beautiful yet
multifaceted societies are complex; therefore factors such as housing, climate, food, dress
code, diversity, and security are addressed below to provide a better understanding of what
aspiring Volunteers will experience in service.

Housing:
To increase integration and for continuous orientation to the local safety and security
concerns, Volunteers are required to live with a host family for the duration of their training
and service. It is important that applicants are not only willing but eager to interact and live
with a Guatemalan host family. Note that during Pre-Service Training (PST), couples will live in
separate communities and can visit one another on the weekends.

Climate:
Volunteers are placed in medium-sized to larger rural communities (3,000 - 30,000 people) in
the Western Highlands of Guatemala which is quite mountainous and due to the altitudes, can
be cool to cold at night. Volunteers should bring clothing appropriate for layering to
accommodate warm days and cold nights. The rainy season begins in May and continues
through October, so rain gear is also useful.

Food & Amenities:

Most Volunteer communities have electricity and almost all have running water, but that does
not guarantee a steady, continuous supply of either. Fruits, vegetables and meats are available
either in site or in nearby communities. Volunteers may cook for themselves or eat with a host
family during service. Local cell phones are provided by Peace Corps for all Volunteers.
Volunteers access internet in their communities either in a local internet caf or by purchasing
a small modem that can provide basic internet service.

Dress Code:
As a Rural Extension Agent, you must be mindful of your appearance as it relates to the
occasion. Conservative plain clothes and work shoes are acceptable when doing laborious
activities, while business casual attire is most appropriate when visiting government agencies,
attending a meeting or party. Professional (business casual) dress is also expected when in
Peace Corps/Guatemala offices.

Diversity Considerations:
Volunteers who are of an American racial, ethnic, or national minority may find they
experience a high degree of curiosity or unwanted attention from host country nationals.
Ethnically, nationally, or racially diverse Americans may be asked where they are actually
from or if they are really American. Many Volunteers have been able to turn these
encounters into learning experiences, share American values, and deepen local community
members understanding of Americans.

Values concerning sexual orientation and gender identity in Guatemala may be different from
those in the U.S., so Volunteers will need to be mindful of cultural norms, and use their
judgment to determine the best way to approach sexual orientation and gender identity in
their communities. Staff and currently serving Volunteers will address this topic during Pre-
Service Training, and identify support mechanisms for incoming trainees.

Security:
Guatemala presents a complex security environment for Volunteers and increased vigilance
regarding personal safety is always necessary. Peace Corps has made tremendous efforts to
maintain safety and security of all Volunteers by implementing comprehensive and strict
transportation and travel policies. It is expected that Volunteers adhere to these policies and
all post guidelines. For these reasons, we are looking for mature applicants who will willingly
comply with all policy restrictions.

Learn more about the Volunteer experience in Guatemala:

https://www.peacecorps.gov/guatemala/
Get detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and safety to make a well-
informed decision about serving.

Learn more about the Volunteer experience inGuatemala: Get detailed information on culture,
communications, housing, and safety including crime statistics [PDF] in order to make a
well-informed decision about serving.

Medical Considerations in Guatemala

Guatemala may not be able to support Volunteers with the following medical conditions:
asthma, including mild or childhood; insulin-dependent diabetes.

The following medication(s) are not permitted for legal or cultural reasons: none identified.

Volunteers who should avoid the following food(s) may not be able to serve: none identified.

After arrival in Guatemala, Peace Corps provides and applicants are required to have an
annual flu shot, to take daily or weekly medication to prevent malaria, and to receive
mandatory immunizations.

Before you apply, please also review Important Medical Information for Applicants (PDF) to
learn about other health conditions typically not supported in Peace Corps service.

Does this sound like the position for you?

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 Learn what it's like to serve in Guatemala

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