Hiring on Shared Values
SFS staff are creative, hard-working, patient, tolerant, people-focused professionals with a sense of commitment to environmental advocacy through education and grass-roots, hands-on, community-based action. Whether staff members come from an environmental, academic, administrative, or operations background, they all share the SFS values and are passionate about the mission of the School.
Work That Matters
With 30 years in an evolving niche industry we pioneered, SFS is the leader in college field study abroad programs with research and community development goals in coastal ecosystems, marine resource conservation, tropical rainforests, and wildlife management.
Technology and cross-departmental initiatives empower our staff to collaborate and impact the organization and ultimately the global communities we serve.
New Staff Welcome
New Hire Orientation at SFS comes in two forms. For field staff, there is a Pre-Arrival HR Orientation over Skype or telephone that covers SFS history, culture, industry stats, and benefits. HQ staff have the opportunity to go through the same Orientation in-person and within the first two weeks, to meet individually with every department head, including the President. This initiation provides a warm welcome and provides the framework for a successful transition into your new role at SFS.
Employee Recognition Program
Our Superb Teamplayer and Role model (S.T.A.R.) employee recognition program is another unique aspect of our culture. Two employees are recognized semi-annually. In addition to receiving a certificate, SFS gear, a designation logo for their email, and recognition through SFS's internal email to all staff/faculty, employees also receive a cash bonus.
SFS also recognizes employees for length of service. Annual parties at each field center recognize employment anniversaries at five-year intervals. The honorees receive a certificate and a cash bonus based on their years of service.
Work/Life Balance
SFS encourages an equitable work/life balance for all employees. At HQ we support this by offering flexible work schedules, occasional telecommuting, and an Employee Assistance Program that is open to employees and their families. In the field, staff also have intersession time (periods without students at the programs) to travel and conduct personal research.
Fun for Students and Staff
SFS believes the workplace should be a fun and positive environment. Both students and staff are with SFS to work and learn, but the goal is to have fun doing it through an enriching experience of a lifetime unlike any other. Learning in the field is an adventure filled with personal growth, research opportunities, community involvement, and lifelong connections. SFS offers a casual dress code at its Headquarters and field centers and strives to reduce the stresses that are part of everyday life. At Headquarters, employees have occasional game days, enjoying Nintendo Wii tournaments and native games from our field center host countries.
SFS Equal Opportunity Employment Pledge
SFS is committed to provide equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, caste, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetics, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, national origin or ancestry, ethnic origin, or veteran status.
Due to national regulations in Turks & Caicos Islands, a criminal background check is required as a condition of employment for all TCI positions.
Inquiries regarding SFS's compliance with equal opportunity legislation may be directed to Abby Sutherland, HR Generalist/Administrative Coordinator, The School for Field Studies, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 534-G, Beverly, MA 01915; telephone 978.219.5107; or with the EEOC at http://www.eeoc.gov/employees/howtofile.cfm.
