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Join Our Leadership Team

Extraordinary 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.

Join Our Summer Leadership Team

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.

Ideal Candidates

It is unrealistic for a candidate to embody everything on this list, which is why we hire holistic leadership teams. Our most successful candidates meet some combination of the following criteria:

A desire to work with, educate, and lead youth from a wide range of backgrounds
Specific relevant in-country experience
Advanced proficiency or fluency in the language (as relevant)
Experience working with students and the ability to problem solve and facilitate an engaging learning environment
Patience and adaptability
An ability to assess risk and make smart decisions regarding the health, safety, and overall well-being of the group
A passion for travel, exploration, and the program theme
Dedication to responsible travel and a commitment to fostering respectful and meaningful cultural exchange between the group and local communities
For Career program leaders, experience working professionally in the field of the program theme
Instructors on our campus programs with Columbia, Harvard, and MIT hold advanced degrees and/or have considerable professional experience with the program theme in addition to teaching experience
The ability to be “on” 24 hours a day and to manage and communicate their own personal needs

More Information

Specific Leadership Requirements

Career, Exploration, Service, & Language programs:

• A bachelor’s degree or higher or considerable professional work experience in a field related to the program theme
• Working proficiency in the local language of the destination; fluency is required for Language programs. Preferential placement for candidates with experience teaching the target language
• Significant experience living or traveling in the program country or region
• Certification in Basic CPR/First Aid at your own expense before the start of the program. Many of our leaders hold more advanced certifications such as WFA, WFR, or EMT
• A valid driver’s license (relevant for some programs, but not all)
• Ability to attend mandatory leader training in Vermont in late May/early June. More details on training will be outlined during the interview process
• For Service-based programs, enthusiasm for engaging in highly physical projects

Campus Programs — Instructors & Program Assistants:

• A bachelor’s degree or higher or considerable professional work experience in the seminar topic. Applicants for Program Assistant positions must have completed their second year of college
• Significant experience working with high school students
• Significant experience teaching or working within the program theme/seminar field and enthusiasm for creating their own hands-on, project-based curriculum
• Program Assistants must be flexible and resourceful, willing to take ownership of tasks as well as be able to follow instructions and work independently without a lot of direct supervision
• Certification in Basic CPR/First Aid at your own expense before the start of the program
• Ability to attend mandatory training in the program destination a week prior to the start of the program
• A valid driver’s license

Application Timeline

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.

Background Checks

All offers are contingent on an annual background check, including returning leaders. For programs where you will be responsible for driving students, this includes a driving report.

Leader Training

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.

Code of Conduct

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.

Possessing, consuming, or distributing alcohol or drugs.
Displaying a consistently negative attitude toward leaders, fellow students, or the goals of the program; or an unwillingness to participate in program activities or projects.
Riding on mopeds or motorcycles, electric scooters, hitchhiking, or riding in unauthorized vehicles.
Leaving the group without authorization, including leaving residences or hotels after lights-out.
Visiting in rooms of other students unless prior arrangements are made with leaders.
Stealing, or deliberately damaging any buildings, furnishings, or other property.
Engaging in behavior (including speech) that intimidates any person, or that compromises the inclusive atmosphere of the program as determined by Putney Student Travel. This includes the expectation that any physical contact between students will include each person’s spoken and ongoing affirmative consent.
Body piercing or tattooing during the program.
Consuming tobacco products (including e-cigarettes).
Not abiding by Putney Student Travel’s cell phone policy.
Engaging in behavior contrary to local government protocols or Putney Student Travel’s health guidelines implemented during the coronavirus pandemic for the safety of the community.

Early Leaders

Many programs require that one or more leaders travel to the destination up to one week in advance of the program start for preparation. These pre-trip days are compensated as part of the contract.

Compensation

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.

Application

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.

2026 Leadership Application

Putney Student Travel Programs

Coming Soon!

Questions?

Please contact the Hiring Directors if you have specific questions about employment opportunities or the hiring process.

Special Programs

Join Our Leadership Team

Extraordinary Leadership

Join Our Summer Leadership Team

Ideal Candidates

More Information

Application

2026 Leadership Application

Questions?

Programs

About

Details

Next Steps

Begin Standard Application

Traveled With Us Before?

Applying For a Scholarship?

Get the inside scoop
on summer programs!

Special Programs

Join Our Leadership Team

Extraordinary Leadership

Join Our Summer Leadership Team

Ideal Candidates

More Information

Application

2026 Leadership Application

Questions?

Programs

About

Details

Next Steps

Begin Standard Application

Traveled With Us Before?

Applying For a Scholarship?

Get the inside scoop on summer programs!

Get the inside scoop
on summer programs!