Youth Development Backcountry Trip Leader

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

Full time, seasonal position, May 31 – August 6, 2022. $130 per day, plus housing and meals provided which is equivalent to an additional $172.77 per week. We’re hiring for an experienced trip leaders to co-lead three, 14-day multi-sport trips in the Sierra Nevada mountains for youth from low-income communities. Sierra Nevada Journeys partners with Summer Search, a national youth mentorship organization, to provide a unique experience for 16-to-18-year-old students to help them build self-confidence and leadership skills.

Earn additional pay for extra certifications including experience in: working with students from communities of BIPOC; as waterfront lifeguard or pool lifeguard; and in youth development – either in a formal outdoor setting or in a classroom setting.

Learn more about this opportunity and how to apply by visiting sierranevadajourneys.org/jobs.

Special Benefits

• Competitive compensation package, $130 per day
• Plus, housing and work day meals provided which is equivalent to $77 per week
• Three days three sick days per year
• Employees will earn $1 per day extra for each certification:
  1. Experience working with students from communities of BIPOC
  2. Waterfront lifeguard/pool lifeguard
  3. Experience in youth development – either in a formal outdoor setting or in a classroom setting
• 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 your day rate
• 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
• Innovative company focused on providing opportunities for and working with students of all backgrounds
• Opportunity to work in partnership with national youth mentorship organization, Summer Search

Minimum Requirements

• 21-years-old or older by May, 2022
• 1-2 years of experience leading multi-day backpacking experiences in varying terrain and environmental factors
• A minimum certification of Wilderness First Responder & CPR
• Applicants must have and maintain an excellent driving record with no major infractions of unsafe conduct. You will be required to drive a van and possibly tow a gear trailer throughout the course
• Excellent communication and organization skills
• Experience facilitating programs in backcountry settings with diverse participant groups
• Successfully pass a background check
• Work independently with a high degree of initiative
• Work with limited time off
• Work closely and cohesively with co-leader throughout trips
• All employees 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.