Youth Life Skills Teacher

Special benefits

• Extensive language, technical, and intercultural training
• Hands-on, valuable international work experience
• Travel to and from country, housing and monthly living allowance, and full coverage of medical and dental needs during service

• Competitive advantage for federal hiring and opportunities to save on graduate degrees and other education programs
• Monthly accrued Volunteer service award (readjustment allowance) totaling $10,800 before taxes, with option to access for ongoing financial obligations

Key dates

Apply by
January 15, 2027

Know by
April 1, 2027

Depart on
September 5, 2027

Duration
2 years, plus 3 months training

About the project

Communities in Guatemala are seeking support to teach young people life skills and help them succeed.

Fewer than 47% of Guatemalan youth attend middle school, and only 25% attend high school. This high rate of school desertion is especially concerning given that more than one-third of the country's population is under age 25. Expanding access to meaningful learning opportunities and strengthening youth support systems are critical to meet Guatemala's national goal of providing all citizens with free, high-quality education. In 2025, national leaders elevated youth development as a priority; however, coordination gaps at the local level persist, underscoring an urgent need for stronger collaboration among the Ministry of Education, municipal governments, and youth-focused organizations. Communities remain eager to strengthen their capacity to more effectively support young people in developing positive self-concept, decision-making, communication, social, and other essential life skills.

As a Youth Life Skills Teacher, you will collaborate with staff at schools or youth-focused organizations to strengthen the knowledge and skills of youth in the areas of well-being and life skills. In this role, you will provide culturally appropriate education and mentorship to equip young people with the necessary tools to make informed choices and apply what they learn to make a positive impact. Alongside your colleagues, you will enable young people to avoid risky behaviors, contribute to their community, and prepare for a successful future.

Learn more about what Volunteers do in country by visiting our Guatemala project page .

Requirements

Behavioral competencies

These competencies are essential for all service assignments and are assessed in the application and interview process:

1. Motivation for and commitment to service
2. Adaptability and open-mindedness
3. Problem solving and resourcefulness
4. Behavioral maturity and professionalism

Education/experience

Qualified candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:

Associate degree in any field and at least two years of full-time, post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).
OR
Bachelor's degree in any field.
OR
High school diploma or GED and four years of full-time, post-high school work (from any combination of roles).
Spanish language

Qualified candidates will meet one of the following criteria:

1. High school: Completed 4 years of Spanish coursework within the past 8 years
2. College: Completed Spanish Elementary II (e.g., 102, 1002) in the semester system (Elementary III in quarter system) within the past 6 years
3. College Level Examination Program (CLEP): Score 50-62 on the Spanish exam in the past 6 years
4. American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL): Score of Novice-High or Intermediate-Low on official Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in Spanish within the past 6 years
5. Native Spanish speaker