Program Leader, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic (2025)

As a Program Leader, you are the local ambassador of the country of operation. Your primary responsibility is the care and well-being of our participants while they travel. You are a primary responder in all escalated situations, incidents and emergencies. In partnership with your co-leader, you’ll collaborate to create a safe and successful program experience for all Offbeat Travel participants. You’ll work directly with local leaders, community partners, activity operators and Offbeat Travel managers. You are a liaison between the program experience and all stakeholders, providing trip updates and managing communication with parents, the global Offbeat Travel team and their partners. Expect to spend long days in some of the most welcoming communities on the planet. Community service professionals, globally conscious travelers, logistics lovers and youth development facilitators are encouraged to apply. Offbeat Travel 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.

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

This is a seasonal position.

 

Responsibilities

• Represent the host country in a positive and professional manner. Serving as an ambassador for the local culture, history and its people. 
• Embody Offbeat Travel’s integrity and values.
• Act as a role model and mentor to participants.
• Protect the safety of participants and children by abiding by our policy for inappropriate behavior.
• Monitor and manage student well-being.
• Follow Offbeat Travel’s protocols while on program. Including safety and hygiene protocols.
  Address any student health issues and communicate action plans with parents and management.
• 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.
• Partner with International Program Leaders to ensure participants understand the history, culture, and context of the places you visit.
• Model responsible travel by adhering to Offbeat Travel's sustainability protocols.
• Facilitate discussions drawing from your own personal experience and Offbeat Travel' discussion guides.

 

Job Qualifications

Experience:

• At least 2 years of relevant experience in service learning, tourism, outdoor leadership, youth mentorship 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 by date of application.
• Demonstrated maturity and leadership skills.
• Professional working proficiency in English and Spanish.
• 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 Offbeat Travel at least three weeks prior to the start of Program Leader training.
• Fluency in Spanish required for Costa Rica and Dominican Republic.
• Professional working proficiency in Haitian Creole is a plus for the Dominican Republic.
• Professional working experience and/or passion for conservation, environmental science and these topics. 
• Surf instructors with a desire to positively impact our participants and leadership skills. 

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.
• Teaching (any subject) to non-native English speakers.
• Leadership Instruction.
• 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 First Responder.
• Wilderness EMT.
• Ocean Lifeguard.
• Teaching Certifications (ex. TEFL/TESL).
• Professional working experience and/or passion for conservation, environmental science and these topics. 
• Surf instructors with a desire to positively impact our participants and leadership skills.

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 participants make meaning of their experiences.
• Understands the value of experiential education and travel for high school students.
• Eager to learn from colleagues and enjoys open collaboration and teamwork.
• Able to maintain excellence under pressure and ever-changing conditions.
• Ability to work under pressure, long hours and with little supervision. 
• Understanding of the role and responsibilities that come with working with underaged participants. 
• Ability to work in environments where you need to collaborate every day with different people, leadership styles and cultures.

 

Location

Dominican Republic and/or Costa Rica for at least 4-10 consecutive weeks at a time (Start date determined by mandatory in-person training dates, which varies by country operation.).

 

Equal Opportunity

Offbeat Travel 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.

 

At-Will Notice

Each employee of Offbeat Travel is employed “at will,” which means either the Company or the employee may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any or no reason, with or without advanced notice. No individual or representative of Offbeat Travel can change this at-will relationship absent a specific, written contract signed by the Company’s Founder or designee.

 

Compensation

Positions start at USD$45/day and compensation varies by location. Package also includes flights to/from home to location of employment, food, lodging and transportation during the program.

If an applicant needs reasonable accommodation when applying for an open position, please email [email protected]