Flight Leader (Summer 2025)

Mentor, OH

Seasonal

Program Operations

Entry Level

Flight Leader (Summer 2025) at Rustic Pathways

The Company

Rustic Pathways is a student travel organization that offers the world's finest experiential education, community service, foreign language, and adventure programs. Our destinations stretch from the white-sand beaches of Fiji to the rainforest canopies of Costa Rica to Australia's Great Barrier Reef, and many places in between. We provide superior quality travel and community service in some of the world's most welcoming countries for students. Rustic Pathways demands professionalism and integrity across all of our operations, insists on quality in all aspects of our programs, and places a strong emphasis on the safety and well-being of our students and staff. We empower students through innovative and responsible travel experiences to positively impact lives and communities around the world.

Position Overview

The Flight Leader role is an unpaid, seasonal, volunteer position just right for highly motivated and passionate individuals who value experiential education and international travel for students. Flight Leaders are compensated with international travel for chaperoning a group of high school students on a flight from the USA to one of our several international destinations during the summer season - June through Mid August. The primary role of the Flight Leader is to ensure the protection and care of Rustic Pathways’ students while traveling to/from their international location, and to forge positive social connections between students as they commence travel. They work directly with our students, our Airport Coordinators, and other Flight Leaders in one of our gateway airports - JFK, LAX, MIA, and EWR on departure and arrival days. Once the flight lands in the international destination, Flight Leaders escort the group of students through immigration and customs to meet our Rustic Pathways Program Team who will then take the group of students to start their summer program.

After the group of students has been safely handed off to our staff in-country, Flight Leaders continue on their own personal adventure in the country until it is time to bring the group of students back to the USA. (Personal time in our country destinations can last for one, two, or three weeks at a time.) When their program ends, Flight Leaders chaperone the group of students on the flight back to the U.S. gateway airport, lead them through US immigration and customs and ensure they meet their connecting flights home, if applicable.

Flight Leaders monitor, mentor, and assist our students as they embark on, in many cases, their first international flight and adventure to another country! For all travelers, the first international flight is exciting, scary, hopeful, uncertain, and a host of other conflicting emotions. Flight Leaders have the unique opportunity to impact our students by securing their well-being, calming fears, building social support, getting them excited for the amazing opportunity ahead of them, and preparing them to enjoy the time spent in our amazing destinations.

IMPORTANT NOTE: While the round-trip international airfare is provided by Rustic Pathways, all Flight Leaders must pay for their own airfare to their assigned domestic airport as well as any accommodation, meals, transportation, internal flights, and any other travel expenses (including visas and immunizations) they incur as part of their personal travel plans.

Responsibilities

You report to the Airport Coordinator and work with other Flight Leader(s) at one of our gateway airports as you do the following:
Greet families as they arrive and account for every student on the group flight departing or returning that day. Help support the check-in process.
Give instruction and updates to Unaccompanied Minor Coordinators as necessary.
Protect the safety of students and abide by Rustic Pathways’ zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate behavior.
Safely escort students between the USA and the international destination.
Build connections between students and create a positive social atmosphere.
Provide clear instructions and directions to our students about departure and arrival gates, connecting flights, US & international immigration and customs procedures, lost baggage claims, and appropriate conduct during international flights.
Mentor, monitor, and account for every student in the airport and on the group flight.
Guide, protect, clarify, and support all students in your group.
Follow and implement all safety procedures and policies during interactions with students and their families.
Keep the Airport Coordinator and other Flight Leaders updated on student well-being and flight information.
Respond calmly to student issues as they arise.
Act as a role model for our students by embodying the Rustic Pathways mission, vision, and values.
Work in a flexible manner and undertake other duties as reasonably requested.

Requirements:

Must be 22 years of age or older by June 1, 2025.
Must have international travel experience, as you will be guiding students through this process.
Must have relevant leadership experience working or volunteering with students, preferably teenagers.
Must be able to travel to one of our gateway airports - JFK, LAX, MIA, or EWR prior to the international flight departure. (Domestic airfare at own expense)
Must have a cell phone that can send and receive international calls and texts while abroad.
Must have a valid CPR and First Aid certification from a licensed provider. Classroom or in-person training ONLY. Online certifications are not acceptable. Certifications must be submitted 2 weeks before departure.
Professional working proficiency in English required.

Experience in the following areas preferred:

Professional teacher, professor, or administrator in a school environment.
Outdoor Educator, Leadership Instructor, or Camp Counselor
Community Service or Volunteer Coordinator
NGO or Non-Profit Professional
Tour Guide Specialist
Nurse or EMT

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
Personal experience in international travel (as a student, a leader or for pleasure).
Patient, enthusiastic, and solution-oriented.
Sound knowledge of domestic & international travel trends.
Passion for international travel and appreciation for diversity in cultures and experiences.
Understands the value of experiential education and travel for high school students.
Able to maintain excellence under pressure and ever-changing conditions.

Location

Travel to one of our gateway airports - JFK, LAX, MIA, or EWR - by the specified time to meet the group of students on departure day.
Stay/visit one of our international country destinations via a gateway airport for 1-2 weeks at a time.

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Cover Letter*

References: Please enter names and contact information:*

What countries have you traveled to as a Flight Leader with Rustic Pathways?*

Have you served or do you currently serve in another role at Rustic Pathways?*

"If yes, please name your most recent position with Rustic Pathways."

If no, please list the names of any friends or relatives currently working for Rustic Pathways. Please leave this blank if this does not apply."

Please describe any leadership, mentorship, teaching or training experience you have with teenagers and/or high school students. This is important information because every Flight Leader will be working with 13 - 18 year olds during travel.*

Please give some examples of the international travel experiences you have had - living, studying, working, volunteering or vacationing abroad. This information is important because we need experienced travelers to lead our students through immigrations and customs.*

Would you be willing to do more than one trip as a Flight Leader this summer?*

Every Flight Leader must hold a valid CPR and First Aid certification at the time of travel. Are you willing to provide proof of current certification or obtain the necessary training from a licensed provider in an in-person, classroom setting at least 2 weeks before departure?*

Every Flight Leader MUST have a "smart" cell phone with internet, texting and calling capabilities. The phone must also be loaded with the WhatsApp application for use on travel days. If your phone does not meet this criteria currently, are you willing to obtain this for the duration of your Flight Leading experience?*

While Rustic Pathways covers your international airfare, it is important that you understand that you will be responsible for the additional costs associated with your trip. This includes your domestic travel to the gateway airport, your CPR/First Aid certification, any passport/visa fees, any cell phone fees and your personal travel plans in country. Do you understand your responsibility for these costs?*

Will you be 22 years of age or older at least one week prior to the dates you have selected to travel?*

If you are selected to be a Flight Leader, can you present evidence of your identity?*

Are you able to perform the essential job functions of the Flight Leader position for which you are applying with or without reasonable accommodation?

Note: We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and consider reasonable accommodation that may be necessary for qualified applicants to perform essential job functions.*

Applicant Authorization:

I hereby authorize Rustic Pathways to thoroughly investigate my references, work record, education and other matters related to my suitability for employment/volunteering and, further, authorize the prior employers and references I have listed to disclose to Rustic Pathways any and all letters, reports, and other information related to my work records, without giving me prior notice of such disclosure. In addition, I hereby release Rustic Pathways, my former employers, and all other persons, corporations, partnerships and associations from any and all claims, demands or liabilities arising out of or in any way related to such investigation or disclosure.*

Applicant Authorization:

I understand that if I am selected for a volunteer position with Rustic Pathways, it will be necessary for me to undergo a background check in order to be considered for a volunteer position with Rustic Pathways.*

Applicant Statement:

In the event of my volunteer position with Rustic Pathways, I understand that I am required to comply with all rules and regulations of Rustic Pathways.

I understand that in the event of my volunteer position, I am not an employee of Rustic Pathways for any purpose other than that as a volunteer. I am not entitled to nor expect any present or future compensation or benefits. I understand and acknowledge that Rustic Pathways can terminate my status as a volunteer at any time and for any reason.*

Applicant Statement:

I understand that the safety of students and staff is extremely important to Rustic Pathways and that Rustic Pathways is committed to ensuring a safe working environment. I understand that I, and every volunteer, have a responsibility to prevent accidents and injuries by observing all safety procedures and guidelines and following the directions of my site supervisor. I understand and agree to comply with federal, state, and local regulations related to on-the-job safety and health.

I hereby certify that the answers given by me are true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I further certify that I, the undersigned applicant, have personally completed this application. I understand that any omission or misstatement of material fact on this application or on any document used to secure employment shall be grounds for rejection of this application or for immediate discharge, regardless of the time elapsed before discovery.

I understand that if I am selected for hire with the Rustic Pathways USA company, it will be necessary for me to provide satisfactory evidence of my identity.

I understand that if any term, provision, or portion of this Agreement is declared void or unenforceable, it shall be severed and the remainder of this Agreement shall be enforceable.*

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