Program Instructor

Program Instructor
$19- $20 per hour DOE
Full-Time Seasonal Position between 30 & 40 hours per week (Spring/Fall); Full-Time (Summer)
Start Date: February 2 (Sacramento) and March 2 (Reno) 2026 to mid-November 2026
Location: Reno NV or Sacramento CA

Please be sure toupload a cover letter and resume.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Sierra Nevada Journeys seeks dynamic education professionals to help expand our program base in Reno NV and Sacramento CA. This position requires a motivated individual passionate about building scientific literacy and critical thinking skills through outdoor science education. The ideal candidate is prepared to teach in various settings (classroom outdoors summer camps and Family STEM Nights) and support the overall education operations of the Classrooms Unleashed program.

Seasonal Science Educator(s) will report to the Senior Program Director and will work closely with their local Program Coordinators in either Reno or Sacramento. Staff will either be based out of the Reno or Sacramento office.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Education (95%)

• Spring and Fall Seasons
• Outdoor field studies Lead group of 12-20 students K-6th grade through a variety of field-based science activities at local nature sites during the field study portion of the Classrooms Unleashed trip programs are up to 3 hours long.
• Family STEM Nights Lead family engagement events held at elementary schools and partnering community-based organizations. Serve as site contact lead and organize volunteers organize and set up station supplies and emcee the event.
• Afterschool Programs Facilitate 6090-minute hands-on STEM and team-building activities with up to 30 students in the classroom and in the schoolyard.
• Summer Season
• Summer Day Camp All staff serve as Summer Camp Counselors at our camp programs including facilitating summer day camp programs at local outdoor sites leading groups of 15 elementary-aged children through STEM learning activities and traditional summer camp activities communicating with parents MondayFriday 8 a.m.4 p.m.

Program Administration & Curriculum Development (5%)

• Assist with program administration duties such as printing student notebooks prepping lesson bins grading student assessments and inputting program evaluation responses.
• Participate in staff meetings trainings and support outreach events such as job fairs and educational tabling events.

TIME FRAME

This position is available for up to three program seasons:

• Spring: mid-February May
• Summer: June August
• Fall: September mid-November

Educators may work one two or all three seasons. Each completed season includes a performance completion bonus:

• $100 for the first season (mid-February - May)
• $250 for the second season (June - August)
• $500 for the third season (September mid-November)

Educators completing all three seasons consecutively may earn up to $850 total in performance completion bonuses.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Sacramento Office Availability: MondayFriday 8 a.m.2 p.m.
• Reno Office Availability: Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday from 8 a.m.2 p.m. and Wednesdays from 3 p.m.7 p.m.
• Summer Season Availability: Full-time availability MondayFriday 8 a.m.4 p.m.
• Experience working with children.
• Current Red Cross CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain before start date).
• Ability to commute daily to schools and field trip sites (1045 minutes from assigned office).
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Ability to pass a background check.
• Passionate commitment to working with children of all backgrounds.
• Ability to take initiative work independently and maintain a positive attitude.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Competitive Compensation Package $19 - $20 per hour
• $850.00 total bonus available broken out by consecutive season worked and paid following the successful completion* of the season and is adjusted based on start date
  • $100.00 available after successful completion of the first season
  • $250.00 available after successful completion of the second season
  • $500 available after successful completion of the third season
  • Seasons run as follows:
    • January 1 May 28 2026 paid June 4 2026
    • May 29 August 7 2026 paid August 13 2026
    • August 8 November 19 2026 paid November 20 2026

*Successful completion of the season is contingent upon maintaining good standing throughout employment which includes not being subject to any active disciplinary actions or performance warnings.

• 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)
  • Accrual period for PTO and Sick Time is based on start date and begins February 20 2026 and ends October 15 2026 and is adjusted based on start date
• Optional 403(b) retirement plan and up to a 4% employer match
• Potential for an additional 3% pay for Spanish fluency or other languages relevant to supporting our programs
  • The determination of the employees designated to receive multilingual pay is at the sole discretion of Sierra Nevada Journeys.
• 50% discount off Sierra Nevada Journeys youth camps for immediate family
• Phone use reimbursement at $5 per paycheck
• Optional 403(b) retirement plan and up to a 4% match by Sierra Nevada Journeys
• Paid Holidays: Sierra Nevada Journeys provides 12 paid holidays each calendar year for full-time this role you are eligible for any holidays that fall within your contracted dates (i.e. February through mid-November).
• Mileage reimbursement
• Employment with an innovative organization focused on improving outdoor education delivery

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks to employ individuals who represent the rich diversity of cultures language groups and abilities of its surrounding communities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity gender expression national origin age protected veteran or disabled status or genetic information.