Outdoor Program Instructor

What makes working at Sierra Nevada Journeys so unique? It’s the people you work with and the youth you will mentor with outdoor environmental science education. Many of our students are denied access to high-quality STEM opportunities and come from schools and communities that face financial barriers. Sierra Nevada Journeys employees demonstrate cultural competence, sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of our program participants and fellow colleagues. When you join our team, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community. Stability of a solid nonprofit that’s been around for 15 years and has a diverse client mix bringing a variety of opportunities and experiences daily. Creative, innovative and nimble. Sierra Nevada Journeys is open-minded and values input from its employees. You have a voice and you can make an impact. Sierra Nevada Journeys’ camp is located in Northern California in the Plumas National Forest in the Sierra Nevada mountains, just north of Lake Tahoe.

Job Overview

Mentor and teach youth outdoor environmental science education as an Outdoor Program Instructor (OPI) at Grizzly Creek Ranch located in Plumas National Forest. Many of our students are denied access to high-quality STEM opportunities and come from schools and communities that face financial barriers. Make a difference by positively impacting youth by delivering culturally relevant camp-based programs for schools and community partners. OPIs earn $95-105/day plus off-site staff housing and work day meals (equivalent to $172.77/wk). Season runs from May 31 – August 6, 2022 and includes 3 paid days off, 3 sick days and 403(b) retirement plan with 4% match. An addl. 3% can be earned for bilingual fluency in Spanish. Addl. pay for certifications or experience working with BIPOC students, lifeguard, science instruction, Wilderness First Aid, or First Responders.

In addition to OPIs, we’re recruiting a Youth Development Backcountry Trip Leader to co-lead three, 14-day multi-sport trips this summer.

You can find detailed job descriptions at sierranevadajourneys.org/jobs.

Special Benefits

• Competitive Compensation Package $95 - $105 per day
• Plus, off-site staff housing and work day meals provided which is equivalent to $77 per week
• Three days paid time off per year and three sick days per year (nine-month seasonal position)
• Employees will earn $1 per day extra for each certification; for example, if you have four of the five certifications, you’ll earn $4 more per day:
  1. Experience working with students from communities of BIPOC
  2. Waterfront lifeguard/pool lifeguard
  3. Experience in science instruction – either in a formal outdoor setting or in a classroom setting
  4. Wilderness First Aid/Wilderness First Responder Certification
• Optional 403(b) retirement plan and up to a 4% match by Sierra Nevada Journeys
• Bilingual fluency in Spanish differential of an additional 3% added to hourly rate/annual salary
• Home base for living, working, exploring, and recreating in the beautiful Sierra Valley
• Employment with an innovative company focused on improving outdoor education delivery
• Professional development geared toward outdoor education leadership or classroom teaching goals

Minimum 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
• Ability to work irregular hours and days including nights and weekends
• Ability to live and work positively with other staff members
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and maintain a positive attitude
• Willingness to be 30-feet off the ground on challenge course high elements
• Ability to pass background check, including both an online check and fingerprinting. We work with children and their safety is our utmost priority.
• Ability to lift up to 50 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
• All employees and volunteers are required to attest in writing they have up-to-date immunizations against the diseases required for public school attendance in the state in which they work and have received a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment.