Program Leader Spring - Summer 2026Rustic Pathways is a student travel organization that offers the worlds finest experiential education community service foreign language and adventure programs. Our destinations stretch from the white-sand beaches of Fiji to the rainforest canopies of Costa Rica the high Atlas mountains to the Great Barrier Reef and many places in between. We provide superior quality travel and service in some of the most welcoming countries for students around the world. Rustic Pathways demands professionalism and integrity across all of our operations insists on quality in all aspects of our programs and places a strong emphasis on the protection safety and well-being of our students and staff. We empower students through innovative and responsible travel experiences to positively impact lives and communities around the world.Program Leader at Rustic PathwaysThe PositionAs a Program Leader you are a visitor in the country of operation. Your primary responsibility is the care and well-being of our students while they travel. You are a primary responder in all escalated situations incidents and emergencies. In partnership with your co-leader youll collaborate to create a safe and successful program experience for all Rustic Pathways students. Youll work directly with local leaders community partners activity operators and Rustic Pathways managers. You are a liaison between the program experience and all stakeholders providing trip updates and managing communication with parents and the global Rustic Pathways team. Expect to spend long days in some of the most welcoming communities on the planet. Community service professionals customer service experts globally conscious travelers logistics lovers and youth development facilitators are encouraged to apply. Rustic Pathways is committed to increasing diversity in our staff and recognizes the benefit of having a diverse inclusive work environment. We actively encourage those from equity-seeking groups to apply. We believe in the value of diverse perspectives and experiences represented by our leaders.Must be safety-oriented with a passion for experiential education. The position requires a lot of physical and emotional stamina.This is a seasonal position.ResponsibilitiesEmbody Rustic Pathways mission vision and valuesAct as a role model and mentor to studentsProtect the safety of students and children by abiding by our zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate behaviorMonitor and manage student well-beingFollow Rustic Pathways protocols while on the programAddress any student health issues and communicate action plans with parentsCommunicate daily updates and photos to our team to share with parents and provide real-time info regarding student health and behavioral issuesRespond calmly to issues as they arise with a focus on customer service and safetyDemonstrate responsible leadership and judgment including cultural sensitivityCreate positive and inclusive group dynamicsPartner with local Program Leaders to ensure students understand the history culture and context of the places visitedModel responsible travel by adhering to Rustic Pathways sustainability protocolsFacilitate discussions drawing from your own personal experience and Rustic Pathways discussion guidesJob QualificationsExperienceAt least 2 years of relevant experience in service-learning tourism outdoor leadership youth mentorship customer service or experiential education.At least 2 years of experience working with young adults andor adolescentsAt least 6 months of experience living andor working in an international multicultural or cross-cultural environmentEducationBachelors degree from an accredited college or university OR equivalent work experienceRequirementsMust be 22 years of age or older before your start dateDemonstrated maturity and leadership skillsProfessional working proficiency in EnglishBasic CPR and First Aid certification from a licensed providerNOTE Certifications must ONLY be obtained through classroom or a blended online classroom training. Online-only certifications are not acceptable. Certificates must be submitted to Rustic Pathways at least three weeks prior to the start of Program Leader trainingFluency in Spanish is required for Costa Rica Dominican Republic and PeruProfessional working proficiency in Arabic Burmese Fijian French Haitian Creole Hindi Karen Khmer Italian Japanese Lao Mandarin Chinese Mongolian Nepali Quechua Shan Swahili Thai or Vietnamese is a plusA valid drivers license and a clean driving record are required for programs in the United States Australia and New ZealandWorking knowledge in the following areas andor rolesAdventure Guiding Outdoor Education or Wilderness TherapyTeaching andor instruction specifically middle school or high school in a multicultural environmentTeaching any subject to non-native English speakersLeadership InstructionCustomer ServiceVolunteering with AmeriCorps Peace Corps andor national service or comparable positionsSociology or AnthropologySocial Justice Immigration or MigrationMarine Biology Environmental Studies Conservation or Wildlife BiologyPublic Health Global Health or Water sanitation and hygiene programMountaineering or Technical ClimbingCommunity Service CoordinatorSurf InstructorSoccer CoachCamp CounselorPreferred Certifications including but not limited toWilderness First ResponderWilderness EMTOcean LifeguardTeaching Certifications ex. TEFLTESLKnowledge Skills and AbilitiesAppreciation for diversity in cultures and experiencesExcellent verbal and non-verbal communication skillsPatient enthusiastic analytical flexible and solution-orientedPassion for discussion-based learning and helping students make meaning of their experiencesUnderstands the value of experiential education and travel for high school studentsUnderstands the value of parental communication for high school travelEager to learn from colleagues and enjoys open collaboration and teamworkAble to maintain excellence under pressure and ever-changing conditionsLocationAbility to work in one of our country destinations for at least 1-10 consecutive weeks at a time start date determined by mandatory in-person training dates which vary by country operation.CompensationThe weekly rate for this position is between 400 to 1200 per week weekly rate is determined by the number of years of Rustic Pathways program leader experience and by country operation.A Note About Equal Employment Opportunity QuestionsThough you are not required to answer them we do encourage applicants to answer the Equal Employment Opportunity questions on our application. We cannot see your answers as we review your application. We only see the data as a full set not connected to any identifying data on your application. In order to most effectively work to increase diversity equity and inclusion at Rustic Pathways we need the data to know where we stand. Numbers are powerful. Please help us to improve as an organization by answering these questions if you are comfortable doing so.Equal OpportunityRustic Pathways is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex including sexual orientation and gender identity or expression national origin disability protected Veteran Status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal state or local law.At-Will NoticeEach employee of Rustic Pathways is employed at will" which means either the Company or the employee may terminate the employment relationship at any time for any or no reason with or without advanced notice. No individual or representative of Rustic Pathways can change this at-will relationship absent a specific written contract signed by the Companys Chief Executive Officer or designee.