Program Leader (Spring - Summer 2026)

Overview Join to apply for the Program Leader (Spring - Summer 2026) role at Rustic Pathways . Rustic Pathways is a student travel organization offering experiential education, community service, foreign language, and adventure programs. Destinations range from Fiji to Costa Rica, the Atlas Mountains, and the Great Barrier Reef. We emphasize professionalism, safety, quality, and well-being of students and staff, and empower students through responsible travel experiences to positively impact lives and communities. The Position As 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, you'll collaborate to create a safe and successful program experience for all Rustic Pathways students. You'll 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. 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. Responsibilities Embody Rustic Pathways' mission, vision, and values Act as a role model and mentor to students Protect the safety of students and children by abiding by our zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate behavior Monitor and manage student well-being Follow Rustic Pathways' protocols while on the program Address any student health issues and communicate action plans with parents Communicate daily updates and photos to our team to share with parents, and provide real-time info regarding student health and behavioral issues Respond calmly to issues as they arise with a focus on customer service and safety Demonstrate responsible leadership and judgment, including cultural sensitivity Create positive and inclusive group dynamics Partner with local Program Leaders to ensure students understand the history, culture, and context of the places visited Model responsible travel by adhering to Rustic Pathways' sustainability protocols Facilitate discussions drawing from your own personal experience and Rustic Pathways' discussion guides Job Qualifications Experience: at least 2 years in service-learning, tourism, outdoor leadership, youth mentorship, customer service, or experiential education At least 2 years of experience working with young adults and/or adolescents At least 6 months of experience living and/or working in an international, multicultural, or cross-cultural environment Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience Requirements: Must be 22 years or older before start date; demonstrated maturity and leadership skills; professional working proficiency in English Basic CPR and First Aid certification from a licensed provider (certifications must be classroom or blended online + classroom; online-only certifications are not acceptable; certificates must be submitted at least three weeks prior to start of Program Leader training) Fluency in Spanish is required for Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, and Peru; proficiency in other languages is a plus Valid driver's license and clean driving record required for programs in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand Working knowledge in areas such as adventure guiding, outdoor education, teaching in multicultural environments, leadership instruction, customer service, and related fields Preferred certifications: Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness EMT, Ocean Lifeguard, Teaching Certifications (e.g., TEFL/TESL) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: appreciation for cultural diversity, strong communication, patience, enthusiasm, flexibility, solution-orientation, passion for discussion-based learning, and ability to maintain excellence under pressure Location & Schedule Ability to work in one of our country destinations for 1–10 consecutive weeks at a time (start date determined by mandatory in-person training dates, varying by country operation). Compensation The weekly rate for this position is between $400 to $1200 per week, determined by years of Rustic Pathways program leader experience and country operation. Employment Details Seniority level: Entry level Employment type: Contract Job function: Sales, General Business, and Education Industries: Wireless Services, Telecommunications, and Communications Equipment Manufacturing Equal Opportunity & At-Will Rustic Pathways is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration 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 law. We ask applicants to answer Equal Employment Opportunity questions on our application; answers help us improve diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. All data is anonymized during review. At-will notice: Each employee is employed at will, and either the company or the employee may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any or no reason, with or without notice, unless a written contract exists signed by the CEO or designee. J-18808-Ljbffr