Position Responsibilities

Start Date: June – August 2024
Job Type: Temporary

INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

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 the program 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.

All new Directors must attend in-person Director Training from May 29 – June 2, 2024

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

International Directors Responsibilities include (but are not limited to) the following:

• 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
• Work to establish a positive team dynamic with the 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
  • Guide students through personal growth experiences
  • Resolve student discipline issues
  • Provide constructive feedback for further program and curriculum development
  • International Directors facilitate the implementation of the leadership curriculum
• Communicate with headquarters and parents/guardians: 
  • Manage parent/guardian communication, as well as communication with 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

Mentors participate in all aspects of programming alongside students, including community engagement and excursions. Mentors facilitate activities implementing the 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.

Mentors Responsibilities include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Participate fully in Mentor Training:
  • Read and prepare questions on all resources provided by Terra
  • Participate in introductory and planning calls with your team
  • Complete all mandatory online training modules prior to the summer
  • GLA Mentors attend In-Country Training 5 days before the start of the program
  • TTN Mentors attend In-country training 2-3 days before the start of the 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 the leadership curriculum
  • Mentor and counsel students through personal growth experiences
  • Provide constructive feedback for further program and curriculum development

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  (Directors & Mentors)

• Bachelor’s degree or several years of experience working within the experiential education field. A minimum of two years of experience working with teens; either teaching in a classroom or in an alternative education setting
• Two years of experience working with groups aged 14 – 21 year old
• Mastery relating with teenagers
• Extensive international travel experience for our non-U.S. programs
• Extensive regional or thematic experience for our U.S.-based programs
• Flexibility – our staff have the ability to find comfort in the discomfort, no matter their location
• Exceedingly personable and positive demeanor
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and cross-cultural awareness
• Collaborative in nature; skilled in problem solving
• Good physical and mental health – staff must possess the ability to actively participate in all elements of the program’s experience
• 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 ice-breaker activities and collaborate with fellow staff teams to implement games, energizers, and leadership activities.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

• Directors: CPR and First Aid Certification
• Mentors: CPR and First Aid Certification
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination. 
  • All  Staff should be fully vaccinated and up to date with their Covid-19 vaccination. This means they have the booster as eligible and available in their country. Consult the CDC to learn what up-to-date means for you here.

*Note: Teen Travel Network 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 candidates.

[Some programs require a wilderness certification (Wilderness Advanced First Aid or Wilderness First Responder); some programs require a Lifeguard certification. The staff member who holds this certification (regardless of position) will ensure safety standards are met for their corresponding certification.]

PREFERRED EXTRAS

• Fluency in Spanish for programs in Spanish-speaking countries
• Advanced language skills in a language of the country where you are interested in working
• Lived experience in metropolitan cities or at least previous experience navigating metropolitan cities via public transportation.
• 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 or open-water lifeguards
• Extensive experience in the country or region where you are interested in working
• Experience working with animals and familiarity with veterinary care for our animal and wildlife programs (For programs in direct contact with animals)
• Strong biology or environmental background – for biologically and ecologically diverse programs like the Galapagos
• 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
• A people person
• Fun, dynamic and ready for a challenge
• Emotional intelligence & Spatial awareness

BENEFITS & COMPENSATION

• Competitive stipend with a base rate of $550/week for Directors and $400/week for Mentors
  • Base rate eligible for negotiation based on experiential education fieldwork with similar organizations in the industry
• 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)
• International work experience alongside like-minded individuals
• Professional development and networking opportunities
• Five-day professional training with fellow staff members (Directors only)
• The ability to make an impact on students and local communities.

*Note: Local Directors will provide an invoice for Professional Services in order to receive payment for this role.

HOW TO APPLY

Application Process: 

Please be aware that all International Directors are required to attend the ID training in Costa Rica from May 29 to June 2, 2024 (Terra Education will cover all transportation, food and accommodation during the dates previously mentioned)

We will begin interviewing for positions in January 2024. The hiring process has multiple steps, including two to three interviews and careful placement – this can take 3-4 weeks, depending on our capacity. Communication will mainly be done via email; please remember to check your spam folder for a response from us regarding the status of your application.

Terra Education is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment 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 applicable local law.

Step 1: Online Application

Fill out and submit an online application. You will be asked to upload a cover letter*, resume and two references, as well as to respond to scenario questions. Applicants who do not complete the entire application process will not be considered. If you experience any issues or do not receive a confirmation email, please email staffsupport@experiencegla.com 

*Note: Your cover letter should highlight why you are the right person for this position, your experience in facilitating experiential education programs (in-person), youth development and leadership, and any experience you have living/traveling the country or region where you are interested in working. Please 

Step 2: Interview Process

If your application is selected, we will invite you to a first-round interview via Zoom. After the first interview, candidates who are selected to move forward in the interview process will have to complete one to two more interviews, depending on placement, before they are offered a contract.

Step 3: References and Background Check

We will contact your references. Assuming all goes well, you will be offered a position and then we will run a background check on you. Once the check comes back clear, you’ll begin the onboarding process!

To apply now, follow this link: http://www.tfaforms.com/309213

Please submit an online application to be considered for this role. We will reach out to you via email to notify you of next steps.