Job Description

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 to upload 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 program. Field 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 60-90-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 Monday-Friday, 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: Monday-Friday, 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, Monday-Friday, 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 (10-45 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 employees. In 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.