Program Director / Mentor

We are Global Leadership Adventures (GLA), a well-established organization committed to delivering life-changing journeys for high school and middle school students. Our mission is to inspire the next generation to realize their potential to transform the world and their role in it. We proudly operate our global travel service-learning programs in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the United States. We also offer transformational virtual programs that help guide teens looking to discover their passions through global engagement and forge an academic, social or career path that reflects their personal and professional goals. GLA has welcomed and trained hundreds of staff from all over the world to lead superior-quality trips. For more than a decade, program leaders (Program Directors & Mentors) have been carefully selected from a pool of highly-qualified, well-traveled, passionate educators seeking a fulfilling summer experience abroad -- now we are also excited to welcome staff who are interested in leading meaningful programs in the U.S. or virtually. Spend your summer living alongside high school students who want to explore the world and learn about other places, cultures and ways of living and being, guiding them throughout their experience and facilitating an engaging and meaningful program experience. GLA 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 in our leaders. Our international teams are hired to work in collaboration with our local counterparts, either on the ground or remotely. All field positions are based in the program location and require a minimum commitment to the program dates. Staff are hired to work multiple, consecutive program sessions throughout the summer. All virtual positions are based remotely and require a secure internet connection and commitment to the program dates. 

Job Overview

Position Responsibilities

FIELD STAFF

Directors collaborate with the Local Program Director (from the host country or region) to facilitate a positive summer experience for Mentors and participants. Program Directors work to maintain the safety and health of each student, ensure program logistics are properly coordinated and implement GLA’s service-learning leadership curriculum. Communication, teamwork and flexibility are critical throughout this process. Local Directors are responsible for managing, supporting, and guiding local team members in their roles.

Mentors participate in all aspects of programming alongside students, including community service and excursions. Mentors facilitate activities implementing GLA’s service-learning leadership curriculum, as well as discussion and reflection sessions to help students process their experiences. Mentors will facilitate discussions directly with a small group of students regularly and occasionally lead activities with larger groups of students.

Director responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

All Directors must attend in-person Director Training from June 1-5, 2022

• Read and prepare questions on all resources provided by GLA
• Lead one awesome team building activity or workshop

Plan for and prepare for the program:

• Participate in introductory and planning calls with your Local Program Director
• Complete all mandatory online training modules prior to the summer
• Participate and/or lead introductory and planning calls with Mentors
• Co-lead In-Country Training with Local Program Director 5 – 7 days prior to your program start date

Work to establish positive team dynamic with Local Program Director, Mentors, and all support staff:

• Support Mentors in their own professional development by conducting goal-setting sessions, check-ins and providing feedback both throughout the summer and at the end by completing a Staff Performance Evaluation
• Live alongside students; you are responsible for the students 24 hours a day, 7 days a week while programs are in session
• Protect the health and safety of students at all times
• Facilitate the implementation of GLA’s service-learning leadership curriculum
• Guide students through personal growth experiences
• Resolve student discipline issues
• Provide constructive feedback for further program and curriculum development

Communicate with GLA headquarters and parents/guardians: 

• Manage parent/guardian communication, as well as communication with GLA HQ
• Contact parents/guardians as needed when issues arise on program regarding their student
• Utilize the appropriate summer communication protocol for providing updates

Mentor responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

Participate fully in GLA Mentor Training:

• Read and prepare questions on all resources provided by GLA
• Participate in introductory and planning calls with your team
• Complete all mandatory online training modules prior to the summer
• Attend In-Country Training 3-5 days before the start of your program

Work to uphold a positive group dynamic:

• Live alongside students; you are responsible for the students 24 hours a day, 7 days a week while programs are in session
• Protect the health and safety of students at all times
• Work as part of a team to implement GLA’s service-learning leadership curriculum
• Mentor and counsel students through personal growth experiences
• Provide constructive feedback for further program and curriculum development

Special Benefits

Compensation and Benefits 

FIELD STAFF

• Competitive stipend with a base rate of $525/week for Directors and $375/week for Mentors
• Living expenses (food and lodging), including days in between program sessions
• Roundtrip airfare or ground transportation to your program site
• Additional stipends for safety certifications: WFR ($200), WAFA ($150), Lifeguard ($150)
• Flexibility to extend travel plans before or after contract dates
• Medical and evacuation insurance for the duration of your contract (non-U.S. programs only)
• Experiential education work experience alongside like-minded individuals
• Professional development and networking opportunities
• Five-day professional training with fellow staff members in sunny Southern California (Directors only)
• The ability to make an impact on students and local communities

VIRTUAL STAFF

• Competitive stipend of $300/week for virtual facilitators
• Flexibility to work remotely from wherever you have a strong internet connection
• Flexible administrative hours outside of fixed live session schedule
• Professional development and networking opportunities
• Two-day professional training (remote) with fellow staff members
• The ability to make an impact on students and local communities

Minimum Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or several years of experience working within the experiential education field (Field Staff only - Virtual Facilitator role requires a university degree)
• A minimum of two years of experience working with teens; either teaching in a classroom or in an alternative education or childcare setting
• Mastery relating with teenagers
• Extensive international travel experience or cross-cultural experience for our non-U.S. programs
• Extensive regional or thematic experience for our U.S.-based programs
• For virtual programs: experience facilitating online youth programs utilizing the Zoom video conferencing platform; experience working with online learning management systems
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and cross-cultural awareness
• Flexibility – our staff have the ability to find comfort in the discomfort, no matter their location
• Exceedingly personable and positive demeanor
• Collaborative in nature; skilled in problem solving
• Staff must possess the ability to actively participate in all elements of the program’s experience –  the position requires a lot of physical and emotional stamina, with a focus on safety and risk management.
• Ability to talk things out and a willingness to express your professional opinions while considering your personal feelings and the feelings of your colleagues
• Natural aptitude to motivate and energize students in a variety of settings and situations
• Ability to confidently lead an ice-breaker activity

Required Certifications

• Directors: CPR and First Aid Certification; Epinephrine Administration Training
• Mentors: CPR and First Aid Certification
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination
• Proof of medical insurance for U.S.-based programs

*Note: GLA does not accept online CPR/First Aid certifications. Certifications must be attained prior to staff’s contract start date and will be at the expense of the candidate.

[Some programs require a wilderness certification (Wilderness Advanced First Aid or Wilderness First Responder); some programs require a Lifeguard certification.]

Preferred Extras

• Fluency in Spanish for programs in Spanish-speaking countries
• Fluency in French for our French language program
• Advanced language skills in a language of the country where you are interested in working
• Wilderness certifications as mentioned above for programs in remote locations; an additional stipend is offered for staff certified as a WFR or WAFA
• Lifeguard certification as mentioned above for water-based programs; an additional stipend is offered for staff certified as lifeguards
• Extensive experience in the country or region where you are interested in working
• Knowledge of or experience with the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda for virtual programs
• Experience working with animals and familiarity with veterinary care for our animal and wildlife programs
• Strong biology or environmental background – for biologically and ecologically diverse programs like the Galapagos
• Strong background in STEM, history or political studies for relevant Europe Discovery programs
• Master’s degree in a field related to the program theme
• Strong athletic background for our sports-based programs
• Ability to swim, hike, surf and keep up with teens