Outdoor Program Instructor

About the role

Sierra Nevada Journeys is seeking Outdoor Program Instructors with experience delivering culturally relevant camp-based programs for schools and community partners, serving youth from under-resourced communities. This is a ten-month seasonal position with varying roles and responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Training Attendance: Attend all staff trainings delivered by the Program Management team.
• Education Instruction: Facilitate high-quality outdoor science education and challenge course programs (day and evening) with proficiency in all Sierra Nevada Journeys outdoor school curriculum and teaching methods. Teaching principles of conservation and sustainability, fostering a respect for nature among participants.
• Camp Facilitation: Safely facilitate outdoor recreation activities, including archery and kayaking. Lead meals and engage participants before meals.
• Challenge Course Facilitation: Safely facilitate the challenge course to achieve collaborative, social, emotional, and problem-solving goals.
• Assessment and Evaluation: Deliver, organize, and grade student assessments and related paperwork. Support evaluation collection from participants at the end of program. Participate in debriefs after each program.
• Collaboration and Initiative: Effectively deliver programs while working with chaperones, teachers, community group staff members, and other instructors as needed. Identifying where other team members may need an extra hand and stepping in to support.
• Equipment Management: Clean, restock, and inventory program supplies, which could include educational materials, challenge course supplies, and camp program areas.
• Programmatic Support: Work on assigned projects, including, but not limited to, creating necessary paper materials for schools, camp improvement projects, and revamping curriculum as needed. Travel and support the facilitation of other programs within SNJ as needed.
• Professional Development: Continuing to develop personal skills and knowledge in outdoor education, leadership, and safety practices.
• Program Improvement: Observe, identify, and do what is needed to move Sierra Nevada Journeys forward in a way that best represents who we are as an organization.

Requirements

• Leadership experience or experience working with youth.
• Experience delivering culturally relevant camp-based programs for schools or community partners serving youth from under-resourced communities.
• Enthusiasm for working with students and making a difference through education.
• Ability to work irregular hours and days, including nights and weekends.
• Ability to live and work positively in a communal shared environment with other staff members.
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and maintain a positive attitude.
• Willingness to be 30 feet off the ground on the challenge course high elements.
• Ability to lift 30 pounds and hike over varying terrain and distances up to seven miles.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain certification before start date (at your own expense).
• Ability to pass a background check.

Qualifications

• Fluency in Spanish or another second language (preferred).
• Experience in science instruction – either in a formal outdoor setting or in a classroom setting (preferred).
• Experience working with students from communities of BIPOC (preferred).
• Wilderness First Aid/Wilderness First Responder Certification (preferred).
• Current lifeguard certification or willingness to obtain certification before start date (preferred).

Skills

• Outdoor education leadership.
• Collaborative problem solving.
• Environmental stewardship.
• Facilitating large group activities.
• Leading meals and evening programs.
• Safely facilitating the challenge course.
• Assessing and evaluating student progress.
• Working independently and taking initiative.
• Lifting and hiking over varying terrain.
• Leading and mentoring others.

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation Package: $115 - $118* per day (DOE) plus off-site staff housing and meals while at camp (California meals stipend provided when meals are not provided on days worked)- *Specific certifications can increase pay by $1/day, up to $120/day.
• Phone use reimbursement at $5 per paycheck.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) – Six paid time off days accrued per full season.
• Sick Time Off: Five sick days accrued per full season (per California State Law).
• $850.00 total bonus available, broken out by consecutive sessions worked and paid following the successful completion* of the session, and is adjusted based on start dates.
• Optional 403(b) retirement plan and up to a 4% match by Sierra Nevada Journeys.
• 50% discount on Sierra Nevada Journeys’ youth camps for immediate family.