Leadership
Since 1951, much of Putney Student Travel’s success in creating and running summer programs stems from hiring engaging, enthusiastic, creative, responsible, and adaptable leaders and instructors. Our leaders enjoy working with teenagers in dynamic environments and foster meaningful experiences for their students that extend well beyond the length of the program. Not only do our leaders manage group dynamics, health and safety, and program logistics, but they serve as mentors and help students develop their soft skills: leadership, social-emotional learning, resiliency, confidence, and cultural awareness.
We strive to hire and retain staff who represent the vast diversity of the countries, communities, cultures, and students we work with across the globe. We encourage applicants from historically marginalized groups and we are actively engaged in creating an inclusive work environment for leaders of all identities.
Leadership on all programs requires extensive interaction with, and mentoring of, students ranging from 6th through 12th grade. As a result of hiring people with foundational technical and interpersonal skills, we are able to grant leaders a high degree of independence and responsibility.
Putney has a clear code of conduct (outlined below) that our students agree to in order to participate. We expect our leaders to model and enforce these expectations and standards throughout the program as well and model positive collaboration with their co-leader(s) and local partners. Working as a co-leadership team is paramount to the success of any program, and the size of each team varies. Groups of 18 students or fewer are led by a two-person leadership team, and groups with 19 or more students may have a leadership trio. Our campus-based programs with Columbia, and Harvard, and MIT are led by larger teams of instructors with an on-site Program Director.
Our returning leaders agree that some of the most important skills necessary for facilitating a successful program are abundant energy, empathy, flexibility, passion for cultural exchange, ability to establish boundaries, and a deep desire to engage with youth.
Career, Exploration, Service, & Language programs:
Campus Programs — Instructors & Program Assistants:
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, but we encourage you to apply early in the cycle (November–March). Qualified candidates will be invited to interview via a video call and/or may be offered an interview in person at our office in Vermont.
We appreciate your patience during the hiring process as we work to put together holistic leadership teams for each program. We are proud to have a high percentage of returning leaders each year and prioritize placing them first. First-time Putney leaders can expect placement decisions beginning in March until all positions are filled.
A more exact decision-making timeline will be clarified during your interview as circumstances may differ.
We highly value the continuity and experience that comes with leading the same program multiple times. We prefer that first-year leaders return to the same program should they return for a second summer.
All leaders are required to attend an intensive in-person training every year. During training, leaders participate in discussions, seminars, activities, and workshops that cover topics such as the Putney philosophy, leadership skills, managing group dynamics, and health and safety protocols. Attendance at leader training is mandatory.
Training in Vermont will take place from May 27 to May 31, 2026. The days of training are not compensated, but Putney covers all reasonable travel to and from Vermont, as well as room and board for the duration of training.
We require that our students refrain from the following behaviors while participating in our programs. We expect leaders to adhere to this code of conduct as well and to enforce these rules with their students while on the program to ensure a safe and positive environment for all students, leaders, and local partners.
In addition to offering competitive stipends that are fair and equitable, we cover all reasonable domestic and international travel to and from training as well as to and from your program destination(s). While under contract, we also cover all other program-related expenses, such as accommodations, activities, and food.
Stipends are calculated based on level of education, number of years leading for Putney, years of related experience in teaching or leading similar programs, fluency in relevant languages, experience in the program destination, skills relevant to the program theme(s) (professional photographers, wildlife biologists, etc), and advanced medical training above basic First Aid and CPR.
Each stipend is calculated on an individual basis, taking into consideration the criteria above in addition to the length and type of trip. Therefore, it can be difficult to estimate exact pay until all factors are accounted for. First year leaders on a shorter program can expect to receive a base pay starting around $1,400 per program. For more experienced leaders on longer or more specialized programs the base pay may start closer to $1,500 or $2,000 per program. More specific ranges can be outlined in the later stages of the hiring process and an exact stipend amount will be detailed in the official job offer. All stipend estimates and specific amounts are given in pre-tax dollars.
Before submitting your application below, please carefully browse our website and familiarize yourself with the programs for which you are most qualified.
In your application materials, be sure to highlight your language abilities as well as time spent in countries outside of the U.S., specifically the countries where you are interested in leading programs. Please also elaborate on your experiences working with students in a professional capacity. For campus program teaching positions, please highlight any experience that would make you an effective instructor/facilitator of the program’s theme.
Please apply for the programs for which you are the most qualified. Every candidate will be considered for all open positions with Putney Student Travel, as well as our programs with Harvard Chan C-CHANGE and the Columbia Climate School.
Please contact the Hiring Directors if you have specific questions about employment opportunities or the hiring process.
Providing immersive summer travel programs for middle & high school students since 1951.