Challenge yourself academically at the world's most prestigious universities
Non-profit organization offering student travel scholarships
High school youth summit focused on public health, climate change, and equity
Campus-based climate change program for grades 9–12
Since 1951, much of Putney Student Travel’s success in creating and running summer programs stems from hiring incredibly engaging, enthusiastic, creative, responsible, adaptable, and dedicated 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.
At Putney Student Travel, we strive to hire and retain employees who represent the vast diversity of the countries, communities, cultures, and students we work with across the globe. As a result, we are not only committed to, but passionate about employing leaders from all backgrounds. We encourage applicants from historically marginalized groups and we are actively engaged in creating an inclusive work environment for leaders of all identities.
Successful candidates must be able to motivate and engage students in a wide range of situations and settings. Leadership on all programs requires extensive interaction with, and mentoring of, students ranging from 6th through 12th grade. As a result of hiring people who already have what it takes to facilitate safe, engaging, and meaningful programs, we are able to grant our leaders a high degree of independence and responsibility. Excellent personal leadership skills, the ability to problem-solve, and comfort handling multiple ongoing tasks are crucial. Successful candidates have the ability to inspire, empathize, educate, establish boundaries, enforce expectations and program standards, and collaborate as a team with their co-leader(s). 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 are led by larger teams of instructors with an on-site Program Director.
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.
Our returning leaders agree that some of the most important skills necessary for a successful program are abundant energy, flexibility, passion for cultural exchange, and deep desire to engage with youth.
It is unrealistic for all candidates 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:
Career, Exploration, Service, & Language programs:
Pre-College programs & Oxford Academia — Instructors & Program Assistants:
Applications are accepted and 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 offices 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 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.
Whenever possible, we prefer that candidates lead multiple programs a season. We also prefer that first-year leaders return to the same program should they return for a second summer.
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.
All leaders are required to attend an intensive training every year. During training, leaders participate in active and engaging 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.
Leader training in Vermont will take place from May 28 to June 1, 2025. 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 on 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.
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.
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, years of related experience in teaching or leading similar programs, fluency in relevant languages, 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, and the number of trips led in a particular summer. Therefore, it can be difficult to estimate exact pay until all of these factors are accounted for. With that said, first year leaders on a shorter program can expect to receive a base pay starting around $1,000 per trip. For more experienced leaders on longer or more specialized programs the base pay may start closer to $1,500 or $2,000 per trip. 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.
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.
