Local Italy Program Leader

**Local Italy Program Leader (Summer 2026)**

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, the high Atlas mountains to the Great Barrier Reef, and many places in between. We provide superior quality travel and service in some of the most welcoming countries for students around the world. 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 protection, 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.

**Local Italy Program Leader**at Rustic Pathways

**The Position**

Must be safety-oriented, with a passion for experiential education. The position requires a lot of physical and emotional stamina.

This is a seasonal position.

**Responsibilities**

- Embody Rustic Pathways’ mission, vision, and values
- Act as a role model and mentor to students
- Protect the safety of students and children by abiding by our zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate behavior
- Monitor and manage student well-being
- Follow Rustic Pathways’ protocols while on the program
- Address any student health issues and communicate action plans with parents
- Respond calmly to issues as they arise with a focus on customer service and safety
- Demonstrate responsible leadership and judgment, including cultural sensitivity
- Create positive and inclusive group dynamics
- Ensure students understand the history, culture, and context of the places visited
- Model responsible travel by adhering to Rustic Pathways' sustainability protocols
- Facilitate discussions drawing from your own personal experience and Rustic Pathways' discussion guides
- Serve as the primary communicator with local vendors-including restaurants, transportation providers, and activity partners-using the local language as needed
- Coordinate daily logistics with drivers, guides, and other service providers to ensure smooth program operations
- Support translation and cultural mediation between students, staff, and local partners to enhance cross-cultural understanding and ensure clear communication

**Job Qualifications**

- **Experience**:

- At least 2 years of relevant experience in service-learning, tourism, outdoor leadership, youth mentorship, customer service, or experiential education.
- At least 2 years of experience working with young adults and/or adolescents
- At least 6 months of experience living and/or working in an international, multicultural, or cross-cultural environment

- **Education**:

- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university OR equivalent work experience

- **Requirements**:

- Must be 22 years of age or older before your start date
- Demonstrated maturity and leadership skills
- Fluency in English and Italian
- Basic CPR and First Aid certification from a licensed provider- _ NOTE: Certifications must ONLY be obtained through classroom or a blended online + classroom training. _**_Online-only certifications are not acceptable. _**_Certificates must be submitted to Rustic Pathways at least three weeks prior to the start of Program Leader training_ - ** Working knowledge in the following areas and/or roles**:

- Adventure Guiding, Outdoor Education, or Wilderness Therapy
- Teaching and/or instruction, specifically middle school or high school, in a multicultural environment
- Leadership Instruction
- Customer Service
- Volunteering with AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and/or national service, or comparable positions
- Sociology or Anthropology
- Social Justice, Immigration, or Migration
- Marine Biology, Environmental Studies, Conservation, or Wildlife Biology
- Public Health, Global Health, or Water sanitation and hygiene program
- Mountaineering or Technical Climbing
- Community Service Coordinator
- Surf Instructor
- Soccer Coach
- Camp Counselor

- **Preferred Certifications (including but not limited to)**:

- Wilderness EMT
- Ocean Lifeguard
- Teaching Certifications (ex. TEFL/TESL)

- **Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities**:

- Appreciation for diversity in cultures and experiences
- Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills
- Patient, enthusiastic, analytical, flexible, and solution-oriented
- Passion for discussion-based learning and helping students make meaning of their experiences
- Understands the value of experiential education and travel for high school students
- Understands the value of parental communication for high school travel
- Eager to learn from colleagues and enjoys open collaboration and teamwork
- Able to maintain excellence under pressure and ever-changing conditions

**Location**:
Ability to work in Italy for at least 1-8 consecuti