Residential Outdoor Science Instructor

~ Sierra Nevada Journeys (SNJ) is built on a simple premise: Science education is a necessity, and nature’s classroom is a great place to teach it. ~

Our full mission statement is to deliver innovative outdoor, science-based education programs for youth to develop critical thinking skills and to inspire natural resource stewardship.

Position Overview

This is a multi-season position with varying roles and responsibilities. During the fall and spring seasons, instructors deliver residential, one- to five- day Outdoor Science educational programs primarily serving 5th and 6th grades from regional elementary schools.

All of our lessons are hands-on science and collaborative problem solving based with a focus on critical thinking, exploration, and environmental stewardship. Instructors are responsible for leading and educating a group of 12 – 15 students throughout the week, including facilitating large group activities, leading meals, and working night programs.

Responsibilities

• During the summer season, SNJ delivers both traditional summer camp programs and tailored programs for special needs and leadership development groups.
• SNJ’s traditional, week-long summer camp programs are designed with an educational and experiential focus for our resident campers.
• Instructors supervise the campers overnight, as well as facilitate activities such as archery, swimming, kayaking, campfires, and skits.
• For leadership development groups, instructors will use SNJ’s challenge course to facilitate leadership experiences and develop collaborative problem-solving skills.
• Instructors also assist our special needs organizations by adapting traditional camp activities to provide an enriching experience for their campers.
• Many of our community partners also bring participants to campus on the weekends in the fall and spring and instructors work with them to meet their program goals.
• Instructors will be directly responsible for ensuring that attending schools’ and campers’ educational outcomes are met. Instructors are supervised by the Program Manager.
• Join a staff that is committed to constantly improving our outstanding outdoor education programs!

Additional Information

Our Instructor works at our Grizzly Creek Ranch Campus in Portola, California. The campus is situated on 1,500 acres of pristine Yellow Pine forest. Built in 2003, Grizzly Creek Ranch offers excellent program resources, including a challenge course, hiking trails, and pond. The campus is within convenient travel distance to Lake Tahoe, Reno, Reno/Tahoe Airport and Plumas National Forest. It is also within 3 hours of Sacramento and 4 hours of the San Francisco area. Instructors live in houses SNJ rents in downtown Portola, CA, about 2 miles from campus.

For more information about this position please visit our website.