Those who work at UWC-USA understand that they are more than employees at a world-class institution: they are integral members of a campus community. Whether they teach, maintain the campus, or work in an office, each person recognizes the crucial role they play in educating tomorrow’s transformational leaders.
Most faculty live on campus with their families in school-provided housing. They typically know each of the 200 students by first name and are able to serve as mentors and role models in ways that are only possible through residential life. Those who live off campus are just as enmeshed in the community; meals are shared, and many participate in student activities such as clubs, hikes, and service projects.
At UWC-USA, peace and sustainability are embedded in our daily lives. From campus-wide conflict resolution programs to student-led sustainability initiatives, our staff and faculty model the values we teach. Whether you’re mentoring students, sharing meals, or hiking through the surrounding wilderness, you’ll be part of a community that works together to build a more just and sustainable world.
UWC-USA is committed to equal employment and volunteer opportunity without regard to age, ancestry, disability, national or ethnic origin, race, religious belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, political belief, or veteran status.
We employ top workshop leaders from established IB schools worldwide for all of our workshops, ensuring that participants get the best instruction possible. While participants enjoy the challenge and rigor of the workshops, they also forge strong ties to instructors and other attendees creating a network of professionals to rely on, collaborate with, and connect with in the future.
Yes, a personal vehicle is highly recommended. While UWC-USA provides some shared transit options for student trips and official business, Montezuma itself is rural. There are no public transit options for daily errands, grocery shopping, or traveling outside the immediate area. We have employees who do not drive, and they can often manage to get what they need using delivery options. Be aware that it can be very isolating for those who don’t drive and/or don’t have a personal vehicle.
Montezuma offers a quiet, wilderness-adjacent lifestyle, but major urban centers are entirely accessible for weekend trips:
Santa Fe: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes away via I-25 South.
Albuquerque: Approximately 2 hours away, which also serves as the closest major commercial airport (Albuquerque International Sunport), though Santa Fe also has a smaller, regional airport. Neither airport has direct international flights.
Denver: The closest major city, Denver is a bit over 5 hours away via I-25 North.
El Paso: Not quite as big as Denver, but El Paso is also a fun, large city about 5 hours away, with easier access to Mexico.
For primary care, everyday medical needs, and urgent care, most employees utilize clinics and facilities right in Las Vegas, NM, including Alta Vista Regional Hospital. For specialized care, advanced pediatric medical services, or major procedures, most employees travel to larger medical networks in Santa Fe or Albuquerque, utilize health care options in their home areas, or use telehealth.
Yes. The neighboring city of Las Vegas, New Mexico, features a variety of historic houses of worship, primarily reflecting Catholic, Christian, and Protestant denominations. For Jewish synagogues, Islamic centers, or larger Buddhist communities, staff members typically travel to nearby Santa Fe.
Montezuma sits at an elevation of roughly 6,700 feet (over 2,000 meters) above sea level at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Northern New Mexico enjoys a semi-arid, four-season climate with over 270 days of sunshine per year.
Yes, for IB teachers. To align with our internationally diverse student population, we recruit globally and provide visa sponsorship for J-1 teacher exchange visas for qualified international classroom teaching faculty. We do this through a J-1 visa agency, which handles the visa process for the employee. Of course, we cannot guarantee that the U.S. Embassy will accept the visa application, but we have generally found that our applicants are successful in their process. Unfortunately we cannot support visas for any positions other than full-time classroom teachers.
As a mission-driven boarding school, faculty roles extend far beyond the classroom. A typical workload involves teaching a set schedule of four International Baccalaureate (IB) “codes” or sections or classes, with anywhere between one and four “preps,” coupled with Residential Life responsibilities and commitments to our Bartos program. This includes serving as a campus housefellow, mentoring student “cultural families,” and leading co-curricular activities, outdoor wilderness expeditions, or community service projects. If offered a position at UWC-USA, the Job Description and Letter of Agreement lay out the details of responsibilities for each position.
Salaries are competitive within the UWC network and take into account the unique New Mexico regional economy. Because housing on campus is provided at no cost (outside of $100/monthly utilities) and dining hall meals are available, faculty members may have reasonably strong savings potential given low daily living expenses.
UWC-USA Employee Benefits Summary
At UWC-USA, we recognize that our employees are essential to fulfilling our educational mission. We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, financial security, and overall well-being of our employees and their families.
The following benefits are available to eligible full-time employees working 30 or more hours per week.
Medical Insurance
UWC-USA offers medical insurance, covering 75% of insurance premiums, with employees contributing the remaining 25%.
Employees may choose from four plan options based on their healthcare needs:
Coverage is available for eligible dependents. Plan details, premium contributions, and enrollment information are provided during onboarding and annual open enrollment.
Dental Insurance
UWC-USA offers voluntary dental insurance. Coverage is available for employees and eligible dependents, with premiums paid by participating employees.
Vision Insurance
Vision insurance is available. UWC-USA covers 75% of premiums, with employees contributing the remaining 25%. Coverage is available for eligible dependents.
Life and Disability Insurance
UWC-USA provides the following benefits at no cost to eligible employees:
Employees may also purchase supplemental life insurance for themselves and eligible dependents. Certain coverage options may be available without medical underwriting when elected within 30 days of hire, subject to plan provisions.
Retirement Benefits
UWC-USA offers a 403(b) retirement savings plan administered through USI Consulting, with employee participation available immediately upon hire.
After one year of service, UWC-USA provides matching contributions of up to 8% of an employee’s annual compensation, based on employee contributions.
Paid Leave
Eligible full-time employees accrue annual and sick leave in accordance with the UWC-USA Employee Manual.
Dining Hall Privileges
Employees are eligible to enjoy meals served in the UWC-USA dining hall during the academic year.
Additional Benefits
UWC-USA may offer additional benefits and resources, including:
Benefits Enrollment
Detailed information regarding eligibility, coverage options, enrollment requirements, and current employee contributions is provided during onboarding and annual open enrollment.
For additional information, please contact the UWC-USA Human Resources Department.
Disclaimer: This summary provides a general overview of employee benefits and does not constitute a guarantee of coverage. All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements, applicable plan documents, school policies, and change. In the event of a discrepancy, official plan documents and applicable policies govern.
Yes. UWC-USA welcomes passionate educators who may be newer to the classroom but are deeply aligned with our mission. We offer structured professional development, including specialized training through our internationally recognized UWC-USA IB Workshops. New teachers are paired with experienced faculty mentors to navigate both the rigor of the IB curriculum and the unique dynamics of residential boarding life.
For families relocating with children aged 3 months to 18 years, options include:
Employment in the immediate Las Vegas area is primarily centered around education (including New Mexico Highlands University, Luna Community College, Las Vegas City Schools, and West Las Vegas City Schools), healthcare, local government, and tourism. Remote work is also highly common for campus spouses.
UWC-USA can only sponsor visas for IB classroom teachers via the J-1 teacher exchange visa program. Spouses of teachers on a J-1 visa can apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) after they arrive, and generally within 90-120 days they are granted the EAD and have the opportunity to work in any field, as long as their spouse maintains their J-1 visa employment status with UWC-USA.
We have limited housing on campus, so we can only guarantee housing for full-time residential staff, classroom teachers, and some administrative positions in the Education Division.
ECampus housing varies significantly, ranging from older, rustic units to newer, fully modernized homes. For positions that include campus housing, the residence itself is provided at no cost, though employees are responsible for paying a $100/month utility fee. The units are unfurnished, so employees are required to provide their own furnishings (there are some options in town, but people also shop in Santa Fe and online).
Pets are welcome in faculty housing, subject to campus registration and the UWC-USA Pet Policy. To balance campus residential life with our diverse student body, residents may keep a maximum of two pets and must follow all policy details, including specific limits and definitions.
Faculty and their families are welcome to eat in the campus dining hall. Our kitchen accommodates a variety of dietary needs, though it is important to note that while some special diets are fully supported, others may have limited choices due to our remote location and bulk operations.
UWC-USA is a highly family-friendly environment. Children of faculty and staff grow up in a unique, vibrant, and multicultural community surrounded by students from over 90 countries. There are always community events, outdoor activities, and shared spaces that make campus feel like a tight-knit village.
United World College-USA
P.O. Box 248
Montezuma, NM 87731
