Outdoor Program Instructor

We regularly hire Outdoor Program Instructors and conduct interviews with candidates throughout the year.

Competitive Compensation Package: $115 to $118 per day (DOE)

* Specific certifications can increase pay by $1/day, up to $120/day.

Plus, off‑site staff housing and workday meals are provided.

Full‑time seasonal position; start date is early February and the season runs through mid‑November 2026. There is an opportunity to renew for the following season.

Location:

Sierra Nevada Journeys Outdoor Education Camp, Portola, California.

Sierra Nevada Journeys is seeking Outdoor Program Instructors with experience delivering culturally relevant camp‑based programs for schools and community partners, serving youth from under‑resourced communities. This ten‑month seasonal position involves a variety of roles and responsibilities across our spring, fall, and summer sessions.

During the spring and fall sessions, instructors primarily lead one‑to‑five‑day outdoor science education programs for 5th and 6th grade students. Lessons are grounded in hands‑on science, collaborative problem solving, critical thinking, exploration, and environmental stewardship, and are written according to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Instructors lead and educate groups of 12‑15 students, facilitate large‑group activities, manage meals, and coordinate evening programming.

Training is supported through UC‑Berkeley’s BEETLES pedagogy.

During the summer session, instructors facilitate overnight camps and community partner programs, including camps for people with disabilities and teen leadership development. Activities include challenge course, swimming, kayaking, and leadership programs. Instructors may occupy roles such as head lifeguard, camp helper, staff mentor, or cabin leader. In community partner camps, instructors deliver challenge courses and social‑emotional learning competencies to support leadership experiences and collaborative critical thinking.

Instructors also adapt activities for participants with disabilities and support weekend camp participants during spring and fall. They ensure educational outcomes for all attending groups are met.

OPI’s may also receive training for a Ropes Lead role, to oversee and mitigate risk on the challenge course in partnership with or in lieu of the Challenge Course Manager.

• Training Attendance – Attend all staff trainings delivered by the Program Management team.
• Education Instruction – Facilitate high‑quality outdoor science education and challenge course programs (day and evening) using the Sierra Nevada Journeys curriculum and teaching methods.
• Camp Facilitation – Safely facilitate outdoor recreation activities (archery, kayaking, etc.), lead meals, and engage participants before meals.
• Challenge Course Facilitation – Safely facilitate the challenge course to achieve collaborative, social‑emotional, and problem‑solving goals.
• Assessment and Evaluation – Deliver, organize, and grade student assessments and related paperwork. Support evaluation collection and participate in debriefs.
• Collaboration and Initiative – Work effectively with chaperones, teachers, community group staff, and other instructors. Offer assistance where needed.
• Equipment Management – Clean, restock, and inventory program supplies, including educational materials and challenge course supplies.
• Programmatic Support – Work on assigned projects such as creating materials for schools, camp improvement projects, curriculum revisions, and support travel facilitation.
• Professional Development – Continue to develop personal skills in outdoor education, leadership, and safety practices.
• Program Improvement – Observe, identify, and implement initiatives that advance Sierra Nevada Journeys’ mission.

• Leadership experience or experience working with youth.
• Experience delivering culturally relevant camp‑based programs for under‑resourced communities.
• Enthusiasm for working with students and making a difference through education.
• Ability to work irregular hours, including nights and weekends.
• Ability to live and work positively in a communal shared environment with…