Hours: Monday – Friday 09.00 – 18.00* (*some out of hours work may be required for group trips)

Location: Santiago, Chile

Job purpose: Assist with all areas of the company in line with the organization’s mission.

Company profile: Voluntary Horizons is a small volunteer tour operator, formed with support from CORFO (part of the Chilean government). We focus on the organization of volunteer programs from groups of foreign students, and combine these with cultural interaction and some tourism activities.

We have a strong responsible tourism policy and a strong focus on social development as well as environmental conservation through the projects we run. We currently operate in Chile, Argentina, Nicaragua and Bolivia.

We are currently seeking an enthusiastic intern to join our team in the office,

We look for the following qualities in our interns:

•           Highly organized.

•           Detail oriented.

•           Proactive Individual

•           Strong communications and interpersonal skills and a positive attitude.

•           Punctual and responsible.

•           Open minded and keen to learn.

•           Experience in tourism / working in an NGO / or other service related role.

•           Knowledge & interest in tourism, social development and/or the environment.

•           Bilingual: English-Spanish.

•           Competent user of Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook.

Roles & responsibilities:

We pride ourselves on getting our interns really involved. Although some tasks will be more junior at the beginning as you are learning about the organization you will be given the opportunity to really get involved in company activities, taking responsibilities and being able to have an impact on the company through your work. This is a great way to improve your CV and gather valuable work experience which will stand you in a good position in the job market later.

You will have the opportunity to work on tasks such as the following:

Client Support:

• Welcome, receive, orientate and support individual volunteers whilst in Chile.
• General support to tour groups as and when needed.

Marketing

• Social Media Campaign: Updating social media sites, registering in new sites.
• Creating a database of videos & photography.Creation of a newsletter.

Sales

• Contact with interested volunteers.
• Collecting prices from suppliers.
• Quote preparation.
• Sales contact with potential partners / clients.

Operations:

• Assisting with program organization, reservations and logistics.

Administration:

• General administration, running errands, filling, etc.
• Client file management and analysis of accounts.
• Preparation of tour and client documentation.

Conditions:

-          We request that are interns complete a minimum duration of 5 months as unlike most companies in Latin America, at Voluntary Horizons we integrate our interns into the company as a fully integrate part of the team like any other and this means that a considerable amount of time is taken in training people.

-          All Interns must have and show comprehensive travel and health insurance for the time they will do their internship.

-          We generally request that our interns take 2 weeks Spanish classes before beginning their internship, unless they are already very strong in Spanish.

-          We speak Spanish in the office however most of our staff our bilingual (English – Spanish). We request that our interns communicate with people in the office in Spanish to ensure they learn as much as possible.

-           At Voluntary horizons internships are unpaid.

Company Travel:

We try to make it possible for our interns to join a group trip if there is one running in Chile or Argentina at the time to allow them to see how the trips run in practice, and to be able to gain the experience of participating as an Assistant Group Leader. This has always been viewed by interns as a perk of the internship, and as a very enjoyable experience. It is also a chance to see how the work that is done in the office is put into practice.

The intern may be invited to participate for part, or all, of the time of the trip depending on the manager´s discretion.  (This is optional, and of course the intern has the right to choose to not participate in this experience if they do not wish to).

Participation of course depends on a suitable trip running during the time of the internship.

There may also be the opportunity to participate in other activities out of the office on occasions such as accompanying individual volunteers to Project Sites.

We encourage our interns to plan some personal time in for travel in Chile and/or South America around their Internship as it is not easy to visit all locations in weekends trips due to distances being so large.

Application:

Please send a CV/resume and a covering letter to: info@voluntaryhorizons.com explaining:

1. Why you are interested in the role and
2. What you feel you can bring to us at Voluntary Horizons
3. Dates you would be available for the intern, including duration.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Position Length: 3 month position

Are we accepting applications at this time? Yes

They are due: Accepted on a rolling basis

Job Description

The Video Production Intern will develop short educational and promotional videos in line with the organization’s mission. Tasks include cataloging, backup, and other maintenance tasks.

Interns will be evaluated on the quality of their work and their follow-through with project completion. They will be expected to set personal development goals and develop an action plan to achieve them, while producing short videos for Voluntary Horizons.

Internship Goal

Upon successful completion each intern will be able to independently develop a video project from concept through production to posting on the web.

Position Location:

Voluntary Horizons Office*, Santiago, Chile. (*Travel may be required).

Possible Video Projects:

• Trip Videos
• Training Videos
• Documentary Style videos on Project results
• Testimonials’
• How-to’ skills videos
• Environmental concepts
  (See example Voluntary Horizons videos on our website)

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Graduate
• An understanding and passion for the Voluntary Horizons mission
• Experience with non-linear video editing software, ideally Final Cut Pro
• Collaboration and cooperation to achieve group goals
• Experience with web-based video distribution tools (ie. YouTube, Vimeo, Blip, Facebook, etc.)
• Physically able and with enthusiasm to participate in group travel programs.
• Attention to detail
• Most importantly, have a great attitude and be a team player

Skill Development Opportunities:

• Improve videography skills
  • Camera work
  • Interviewing
• Improve production skills
  • Project planning
  • Teamwork
  • Editing
  • Video distribution

College Credit is available. Please tell us about your

Criminal Record Check:
A criminal record check is required from all Voluntary Horizons employees.

Contact: Interested individuals should send a CV/resume, cover letter, details of their equipment (camera model) and a sample video to eliana@voluntaryhorizons.com.

From Voluntary Horizons

Time to say goodbye to Chile! After the ride from Pichilemu back to Santiago, we had lunch, saw some student demonstrations against issues in the education sector in Chile passing through the centre and then the group had some time to visit Patio Bellavista to do some last souvenir shopping and buy some presents for the family in the US. We even managed to find a Poncho for Declan for which he was looking for the whole trip! In the afternoon it was time to go to the airport and sadly we had to all say farewell as the group left, on their way home. Posted by Andrea Ullrich – VH Assistant Group Leader

Thursday, March 15, 2012
Our group has left Santiago and is currently en route to the US. They will arrive in Denver in the morning and be back in the Springs by noon!  Posted by Linda Harris, Head of Upper School

Thursday, March 15, 2012

We had one final Chilean breakfast around 8:00 at our cabañas in Pichilemu. After this, we loaded the bus and headed to Santiago. It was a three-hour bus ride, but eventually we arrived in Santiago for a delicious lunch! During lunch, there happened to be a riot outside with students protesting the education system. We all went shopping at a nice plaza and were able to purchase final souvenirs. After this, we got on the bus and headed to the Santiago Airport where we said goodbye to our instructors. Post by Olivia L. and Declan G., Class of 2012

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

From Voluntary Horizons

Pichilemu, Presentations about Homestays & Surfing. The morning started with a lot of sad faces from both the students and the local people as we had to finally say goodbye to our host families and leave Los Coipos. It was really sad to say goodbye as many friendships were made during the short time in Los Coipos. We headed onto Pichilemu, a small surf town on the coast, where we had some time to look around town before the group did some presentations about their experiences in Los Coipos. The conclusion was that everyone really enjoyed the time in the families and it was a great experience for everyone.

In the late afternoon it was time to get wet! We headed to the beach and met our surf instructors. We all got our wetsuits on and did some training at the beach before it was time to get on the board which was not easy at all! Although surfing looks really easy, getting on the board was really hard to do and staying on it even harder! Although it was really exhausting, everyone had lots of fun and was excited about it. Then it was already time to get ready for the farewell dinner which we had in a restaurant at the beach which had an amazing atmosphere. After dinner, we sat at the beach stargazing and reminiscing on our time together in Chile. Posted by Andrea Ullrich – VH Assistant Group Leader

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Just in from Jen Hedden: We have arrived in Pichilemu for surfing lessons! All are doing well and looking forward our next adventure. Post by Linda Harris, Head of Upper School.

Thursday, March 13, 2012

From Voluntary Horizons

Wool workshop, discussion about Fair Trade, Inauguration & Cultural Show.Time has passed by so quickly and we are all feeling sad that it’s already our last day in Los Coipos! This morning we were taught by the village ladies about how they process their wool. We were shown the whole process, from sheering a sheep to knitting the clothing and we even helped out catching the sheep and then sheering them! The hardest and funniest part was probably trying to catch a sheep in first place to begin to sheer it but Ryan managed it! We had heaps of fun!

Eva showed us how she cleans and dies the wool. She also displayed the different products she made. After the workshop the students were given a presentation on Marketing by our Anthropologist Ameriga and then split into groups to develop ideas for a business plan for the women of Los Coipos in order to help them commercialize their wool products better. Julie led a discussion where we discussed our understanding of Fair trade and closed off our feelings. Most of the group concluded that they wanted to become more conscious consumers and think more about how they were buying, from whom, and the impact their purchases have in the world in the future.

In the evening we finally had the inauguration of the playground and lots of people including the local Mayor from the community showed up who seemed to be really happy about having a playground for the local kids now. We then participated in a cultural show together with the whole community and the local kids danced some Cueca before it was time for our group to dance. Jen (Miss Hedden), Tanzeela and Rachel looked fantastic as they danced, dressed up as huasas with the local boys… And then it was time for the boys dance competition! Jackson, Declan and Ryan were competiting to win the poncho. It was not an easy decision at all, and it was close between Ryan and Jackson, but finally Jackson won the Poncho with some fantastic dancing and a very happy dance partner! The evening ended with a Barbeque where we had some our last chance to interact with the local people before it was time to sadly say Goodbye. Posted by Andrea Ullrich – VH Assistant Group Leader

Monday, March 12, 2012

From Voluntary Horizons

Trekking, empanada making lessons & beekeeping demonstration. We started the Monday with doing some exercise which was much needed after all the delicious food we were eating in the village!! We sat on the back of Adans tractor and headed up the hills until we then started our hike to a view point close from where we had a great view of the Andes Mountains and we even could see Argentina. Although the hike was really exhausting in the sun, the view on top of the hill was a rewarding experience and worth the effort! Coming back to Los Coipos very hungry we had lunch before beginning an Empanada making given by the local women. We ended up with delicious Empanadas! In the late afternoon, we had some time to learn about beekeeping and visit the facilities of one of the local beekeepers. We also visited his work place and got to try some of his honey which was very tasty! Once we tried it was hard for some of us to stop eating it! In the evening the group had some time to prepare activities for the cultural show and some students took more lessons in Cueca. Adan announced he was so impressed with the enthusiasm of the guys with Cueca and their dancing skills that he would give a prize of a poncho to the best and most coquetta dancer in the cultural show tomorrow night!. Posted by Andrea Ullrich – VH Assistant Group Leader

Sunday, March 11, 2012

From Voluntary Horizons

Visit to Hualañe grape producers and to Iloca.The day started with a ride to Hualañe where we had among others a presentation of a small Organization of grape producers who have been certified by Fair Trade and are selling their grapes to Miguel Torres for their fair trade wine. The organization was founded by several small grape producers two years ago who united to achieve Fair Trade status in order to sell their grapes at a fairer price. Without Fair Trade their grapes were not selling at a price even high enough to cover their costs and so they were considering abandoning their vineyards, yet now they explained how their lives have changed and they are earning a living from their production and have many projections and dreams for the future,. After a short presentation from the Fair Trade representative of Miguel Torres, we visited two of the producers vineyards before heading back to eat a tasty BBQ the producers had prepared for us. In the afternoon we headed to Iloca, a small city at the coast. There we had a look on the artisan market and the group had some time to buy some souvenirs and to enjoy the beach. Posted by Andrea Ullrich – VH Assistant Group Leader

Sunday, March 11,2012

Just in from Jen Hedden: We are in a Hualane, a small town today and so I am able to send you a text message. A quick summary: The playground we built is now finished and the local children LOVE it! Our students will have wonderful memories of spending time with their new little friends. We have all learned the national dance of Chile, the Cueca, and our Homestays are going great! Of course, LOTS of Spanish is being practiced and learned. All is well! Post by Linda Harris, Head of Upper School 

Saturday, March 10, 2012

From Voluntary Horizons

Construction of playground and drama workshop. When we arrived at the playground site this morning there were many local children already playing on the playground although it was not even finished yet! This was amazing as it gave us a huge indication of how much it’s going to get used.

Since there wasn’t school on a Saturday to teach the local kids English, we had a drama workshop with some members of the local community in the Sede (community centre) organized by Natalia. It was great fun!

We did different exercises related to the physical movements, voice and gestures. Among them was an exercise where we imitated the sounds of the environment in Los Coipos and also from the Colorado Springs. Because it was not always clear which sound one was imitating, it was a really fun exercise and we were all rolling around in laughter. Meanwhile, some of the group continued to work on the playground, Jen, Greg especially battling with joining the tyres together, but they achieved it! The playground was finished by the evening time and Andrew and Jordan even made a small bench for people to sit on too. We finished the afternoon with a game of football. Posted by Andrea Ullrich – VH Assistant Group Leader

Friday, March 9, 2012

From Voluntary Horizons

Construction of the playground and teaching English. On Friday morning Julie gave us a small tour around Los Coipos community centre and we visited the Community Centre and learnt how different volunteers have played such a fundamental part in the development of the village since the earthquake. We then began our Project Days. Our objective was to construct a playground for the children of Los Coipos who had nowhere apart from the football pitch to play.  The plan is to construct a see-saw, some swings, a tower with a slide and a wall of tyres in just 2 days.

We organized the groups so that we had students rotating with their activities as they had also prepared lesson plans to teach English to the local children in the school.

We made huge advances today and with the help of a local builder and other helpers from the community as well as our driver. By the evening there was already a lot done! We had constructed most of the see-saw, the swings, a tower with a slide and began the tyre wall for the local kids to play on.

After dinner, Andrea, a local girl, gave us lessons in Cueca the Chilean national dance. We tried to learn the Chilean dance, some with more, other with less success. This was great fun and some of the boys with their huaso hats and ponchos really looked the part! Travis and Alex showed us some of their dance culture displaying the Shuffle, and Travis showed us the Robot! The Coipinos loved seeing this. Posted by Andrea Ullrich – VH Assistant Group Leader

Thursday, March 8, 2012

From Voluntary Horizons

Visit to Miguel Torres Winery, Sagrada Familia & Los Coipos. The group began the day with a visit to the vineyard Miguel Torres who showed us inside their facilities and explained the process of making wine.Later we had a talk from a Fair Trade Vineyard Vinos Lautaro. Both vineyards are working with Fair Trade but in different ways. After lunch at the house of one of the grape producers, we visited the monument Lautaro in the village of Sagrada Familia and learnt how the vineyard was given its name. We said farewell and it was time to head to Los Coipos. On the way we saw different areas which were still noticeably damaged by the earthquake. When we arrived in Los Coipos we received a friendly welcome by the local people and had our first dinner cooked by the local women. We learnt about the history of the earthquake in the village, the housing that had been damaged by the earthquake two years ago and the different stages of reconstruction and government support including the recent arrival of the permanent housing. Then everyone was introduced to their homestay families and then it was time to rest as the next day the project work started. Posted by Andrea Ullrich – VH Assistant Group Leader

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

From Voluntary Horizons

Wednesday was dedicated to Fair Trade and the group had various talks about topics related to Fair Trade. Firstly we had an introduction to Fair Trade and an explanation of the certification process from the Chilean representative of the Fair Trade Labeling Organization (FLO). We then were given a talk by an Anthropologist on ethical issues in the fashion industry, and many of the group was surprised and upset to discover how some of their clothes were made and the impact it has on other people’s lives across the world. We then met two Chilean clothing designers who specialize in sustainable fashion. They told their story and showed us some of their collection and many of the group bought some t-shirts. Posted by Andrea Ullrich – VH Assistant Group Leader

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

From the students:

We arrived in Santiago, feeling yet a little lagged from out 15-hour trip, none the less, we were all pumped up to tour the city. On our first day, We visited political buildings, such as the Plaza de Armas and Moneda, and got a good feel for life in the city. Most streets were one way without outrageous traffic – something we weren’t really used to! After we finished with our tour, we proceeded to head out to our first day at El Rancho de Chilcal in the Maipo Valley. There we went rafting and got to tackle a few class 3 rapids. The next day we were privileged to have a fashion designer who has a show on television come to explain the complexities of the textile industry in Chile. Also, two different designers with their own businesses spoke and we were able to purchase some of their clothing. Later that second night, we went to the hotel where we had a lovely night’s sleep and prepared for our tour of the vineyards. Post by: Michael R., Class of 2013 and Travis M., Class of 2013

From the teacher:

Just in from Jen Hedden: We are now in our hotel. Have had two very full days! It’s 1 am now and we are just settling in for the night. Sorry, no internet access as of yet. Will send a blog entry by phone as soon as we can (see above). Post by Linda Harris, Head of Upper School

Thursday, March 6,2012

From Voluntary Horizons

Hi, I´m Andrea and along with Natalia, we are the group leaders for this trip. Today we welcomed the group at the airport in Santiago and headed straight to the Historical Centre of the Capital. There Natalia gave us a short walking tour through the city to explore its history while we were passing the Government Palace, the district with the government ministries, and the main square the Plaza de Armas. Although everyone was tired after the long flight and the walk, next stop was Cajon del Maipo, a Canyon of foothills to the Andes mountains. After arriving at our accommodation, we had a quick lunch and it was time to go rafting! Despite some nerves at the beginning, it was great fun for everyone. Dinner was a great opportunity for the group to get to know each other better and also to get to know us and the other staff of Voluntary Horizons, Julie and Andrew. There was also time to talk about the expectations of the trip before everyone went to bed happy, though pretty exhausted. Posted by Andrea Ullrich – VH Assistant Group Leader

Monday, March 5, 2012

We are departing today start our adventure to Chile. The past couple of days we have had various speakers. One of the speakers was a Chilean Air Force lieutenant. He talked about interesting facts on Chilean culture. The Leepers also came and talked about economics in Chile. We also did some preliminary research on Chile like what fair trade is, the effect of the earthquake and a brief history. Once we land in Santiago we will go rafting. – Post by Madison H., Class of 2013 and Travis M., Class of 2013