Flight Leader (Summer 2027)

Rustic Pathways • Mentor, OH

10d

About The Position

Rustic Pathways seeks highly motivated and passionate Flight Leaders for a seasonal, unpaid volunteer role supporting high school students traveling internationally during summer 2027. The role runs during the summer season, from June through mid-August. Rustic Pathways provides round-trip international airfare for chaperoning students, but Flight Leaders are responsible for their own airfare to the assigned U.S. gateway airport and for accommodation, meals, transportation, internal flights, visas, immunizations, and other expenses related to personal travel.

Flight Leaders chaperone student groups on flights between the United States and international destinations, supporting students’ safety and well-being and helping them form positive social connections. They work with Airport Coordinators and other Flight Leaders at LAX, MIA, or EWR. On arrival abroad, they escort students through immigration and customs and hand the group over to Rustic Pathways’ in-country Program Team. Afterward, they may spend one, two, or three weeks traveling independently before returning to escort the students back to the United States. On the return journey, they guide students through U.S. immigration and customs and help ensure students make connecting flights, when applicable.

The Flight Leader monitors, mentors, guides, and assists students throughout the airport and flight experience, which may be their first international trip. The role involves providing clear travel instructions, responding calmly to issues, following safety policies, and serving as a role model who embodies Rustic Pathways’ mission, vision, and values.

Requirements

• Must be at least 22 years old by June 1, 2027.
• Must have international travel experience.
• Must have relevant leadership experience working or volunteering with students, preferably teenagers.
• Must be able to travel at personal expense to LAX, MIA, or EWR before the international flight departure.
• Must have a cell phone capable of sending and receiving international calls and texts while abroad.
• Must hold valid CPR and First Aid certifications from a licensed provider; classroom or in-person training only, with online certifications not accepted.
• CPR and First Aid certifications must be submitted two weeks before departure.
• Professional working proficiency in English is required.
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Patient, enthusiastic, and solution-oriented.
• Sound knowledge of domestic and international travel trends.
• Passion for international travel and appreciation for diversity in cultures and experiences.
• Understanding of the value of experiential education and travel for high school students.
• Ability to maintain excellence under pressure and in ever-changing conditions.

Nice To Haves

• Professional experience as a teacher, professor, or administrator in a school environment.
• Experience as an outdoor educator, leadership instructor, or camp counselor.
• Community service or volunteer coordination experience.
• NGO or nonprofit professional experience.
• Professional tour guide experience.
• Specialist nurse or EMT experience.

Responsibilities

• Report to the Airport Coordinator and work with other Flight Leaders at a gateway airport.
• Greet families and account for every student on group flights departing or returning that day.
• Help support the check-in process and provide instruction or updates to Unaccompanied Minor Coordinators as necessary.
• Protect student safety and abide by Rustic Pathways’ zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate behavior.
• Safely escort students between the United States and the international destination.
• Build connections among students and create a positive social atmosphere.
• Give students clear directions about gates, connecting flights, immigration and customs procedures, lost baggage claims, and appropriate conduct on international flights.
• Mentor, monitor, guide, protect, clarify, and support students, and account for every student in the airport and on the group flight.
• Follow and implement safety procedures and policies when interacting with students and 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.
• Serve as a role model by embodying Rustic Pathways’ mission, vision, and values.
• Work flexibly and undertake other duties as reasonably requested.
• Escort students through immigration and customs at the international destination and hand them over to the Rustic Pathways Program Team.
• On the return journey, lead students through U.S. immigration and customs and ensure they meet connecting flights home, if applicable.

Benefits

• Round-trip international airfare is provided for chaperoning the student group.
• Opportunity to spend personal travel time in an international destination after handing students over to the in-country team.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed