Become a Part of Our Team in Bolivia!

Thank you for your interest in working at the College in Bolivia!  The success of the UAC-CP is dependent upon the special skills that each person shares with the College. We are particularly grateful for our visiting professionals from all over the world who contribute to that success.

We are always looking for hard-working, dedicated, and mature professionals who can help us carry out the mission of the College—to provide higher education to the poor; to prepare young men and women who are called to serve the poor; to guide young adults in their search for truth through education, research, and community extension outreach; and to integrate the work of the College throughout Bolivia’s rural area. 

There are many ways that people can contribute to the UAC-CP. Most often short-term and long-term visiting professionals come with a special interest or unique area of professional or personal expertise.  Please note that we consider the needs of the College first. For that reason, we have identified specific job opportunities that fit specific demands at the College.  Please review those job descriptions to determine whether the current needs of the UAC-CP fit your interests. If you have a unique skill set that you think would contribute to the College's success, please contact us.

Employment at the UAC-CP is based on an individual and on-going basis. There are several factors that we take into special consideration in order for applicants to be approved to come work and live in Carmen Pampa.  In particular, we consider the applicant’s time availability, applicable work skills, and Spanish proficiency (some positions require a higher proficiency level, others less). Because UAC-CP professional visitors generally all live together in community, we must also consider room availability in the guesthouse.

It is important to note that life and work at the UAC-CP is not for everyone.  Located in a relatively remote and underdeveloped rural area (at least three hours in public transportation from Bolivia’s capital city, La Paz), daily life at the UAC-CP is not without its physical and emotional challenges (e.g. occasional water and electrical outages, slow or intermittent Internet access, infrequent/unscheduled transportation, limited social outlets apart from the College, etc.).  That said, people who make every effort to embrace the unique opportunity of living and working at the College find the experience to be intensely rewarding and life-changing.

Things to consider if you’re thinking about working in Bolivia:

Hallmarks of Effective International Employees:

1. It helps to be outgoing and self-motivated. People who get out of the house to talk to community members and actively look for things to do when their "job" slows down find their experience here to be more meaningful. They feel helpful here where one minute a translator is needed, and the next someone to swing a hammer, and then someone to re-boot a computer.

2. It is best to be fearless in speaking Spanish. None of us speak perfectly, some are very far from being fluent, but volunteers need to jump in without worry about their limitations and communicate using whatever words and non-verbal cues they can muster. Students and local people here are usually very tolerant and patient.

Note about speaking Spanish: People must be able to communicate to some extent in Spanish. Exceptions may be made depending on a volunteer’s skills or job. Excellent Spanish language programs of six weeks to five months are available in Cochabamba, Bolivia and are highly recommended for those with little or no Spanish language background.

3. A sense of humor is essential. Things here move at a very different pace, with much more emphasis on relationships than on accomplishments. For an outsider the frustration level can be very high. As in many of life’s situations, people with the ability to see the humor of the situation can make all the difference.

Specific job opportunities available at the UAC-CP

Take a few minutes to review these position descriptions and decide if your talents and interests match the needs of the UAC-CP.

English Teacher - Support English language learning by teaching, tutoring and assisting with curriculum development.

Interpreter - Interpret and serve as a guide for international visitors to the College.

Language Lab Coordinator - Manage the English Language Lab and teach English classes.

Photographer - Photograph the reality of life at the College and in surrounding communities to share with supporters and donors.

If you are considering working in Carmen Pampa, Bolivia, please download and carefully read the Pre visit Handbook for Visiting Professionals and Teachers.

Still have questions? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Application Process

If you are convinced that living and working at the UAC-CP is the thing for you, complete the following steps to apply for posted positions. Keep in mind that acceptance is not guaranteed and your application will be considered based on the current needs of the College.

1. Read all general UAC-CP information.
2. Review Job Posting Opportunities
3. Complete the UAC-CP Visiting Professional Application Form and e-mail to Hye-Jung Park at hjparkcorea@yahoo.com and Hugh Smeltekop at boliviahugh@gmail.com.  Include any additional questions you might have about the program or additional information about yourself.
4. As part of the application process, you must also submit two professional references. We ask each of your references to complete the UAC-CP Reference Form and e-mail them to Hye-Jung Park at hjparkcorea@yahoo.com and Hugh Smeltekop at boliviahugh@gmail.com.
5. Once all application materials have been received, we will set up a phone/Skype interview with you.
6. People who have been accepted to the program must sign and return the Visiting Professional Expectations Agreement form and the Carmen Pampa Fund News Release form before they will be officially invited.
7. Professional Visitors will be sent pre-departure information (including visa application materials).
8. Upon arrival, people will be given a copy of the Professional Visitor Handbook and participate in an orientation program.