Job highlights
- Gain valuable, field-based experience in identifying and improving water and sanitation issues in rural communities.
- Sharpen your Spanish language skills through daily conversations and collaborations.
- Create a lasting impact while immersed in Peruvian culture.
Special benefits
- Extensive language, technical, and intercultural training
- Hands-on, valuable international work experience
- Travel to and from country, housing and monthly living allowance, and full coverage of medical and dental needs during service
- Competitive advantage for federal hiring and opportunities to save on graduate degrees and other education programs
- Monthly accrued service award totaling $10,800 before taxes, with option to access for ongoing financial obligations
Key dates
- Apply by: August 15, 2026
- Know by: October 1, 2026
- Depart on: March 28, 2027
- Duration: 2 years, plus 3 months training
Description and qualifications
About the project
Sanitation specialists, public health workers, and recent graduates are needed to in the highlands of Peru to support safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene improvements.
Access to clean water and proper sanitation is essential for health and well-being, yet many rural communities in Peru face challenges maintaining safe water systems and adopting hygiene practices. Aging infrastructure requires work, but little or no funding is available to make repairs. Training is needed to support local water technicians and rural water service providers so they can effectively carry out water maintenance and management tasks, especially after staff departures. In addition, there is a lack of public awareness about how consumption affects water availability, and the importance of access to safe drinking water.
As a Water Sanitation and Hygiene Educator, you’ll collaborate with local leaders, schools, and health professionals to strengthen the water system management and promote hygiene education. Your work will help communities improve water infrastructure, adopt safe practices like handwashing and water treatment, and build resilience for a healthier future. By equipping families and schools with knowledge and tools, you’ll contribute to breaking cycles of waterborne disease and create lasting change.
Learn more about what Volunteers do in country by visiting our Peru project page.
Required skills
Qualified candidates will have an expressed interest in working in general health or hygiene education/sanitation and in hands-on skilled work and one or more of the following criteria:
• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any field
OR
• 5 years’ professional work experience with an expressed interest in general health or hygiene education/sanitation and in hands-on skilled work
Language: There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position.
Desired skills
All candidates who meet the required skills are encouraged to apply. Additional skills that may make you a more competitive candidate include:
Experience or certification in potable water/sanitation systems management, water/wastewater treatment plant operations, or hazardous materials management.
Experience facilitating adult learning, especially related to sanitary and hygiene education.
Experience working with community-based organizations and leaders, especially in a rural context.
