Science Educator

Science Educator

$20- $22 per hour DOE ($41,600-$45,760 annual equivalent)

Full-Time Year-Round position – Up to 40 hours/week

Start Date: February 2026

Location: Sacramento, CA

THE POSITION

Sierra Nevada Journeys is seeking dynamic education professionals to help expand the program base in Sacramento, CA. This position requires a motivated individual who has experience working with kids and is passionate about building scientific literacy and critical thinking skills through outdoor science education. The ideal candidate is prepared to teach in a variety of settings (classroom, outdoors, afterschool program, and Family STEM Nights) and support the overall education operations of all school and field-based programs. They should also be prepared to collaborate on curriculum design and revision, program evaluation, and administrative support of the overall education operations. The position requires an individual who can work well on their own and on a team, and who is committed to supporting a nonprofit that is working to improve access to the outdoors through high-quality, inclusive and accessible programming. Science Educators will report directly to Sierra Nevada Journeys’ Senior Program Director.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Education (85%)

Teach Sierra Nevada Journeys programs:

Classrooms Unleashed – Teach a multi-part program STEM program including an in-class lesson and an outdoor science field study at a local nature site. Topics include Earth Science, Life Science, and Environmental Science.

Outdoor field studies – This involves leading groups 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 3.5 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 Day Camp – Act as the summer day camp counselor 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. Depending on program need, act as summer camp lead by supporting summer day camp counselors, communicating with parents, serving as the site contact and helping plan and prepare summer camp curriculum.

Program Administration & Curriculum Development (15%)

• Support school and field-based program administration by:
  • Collaborating with colleagues to design high-quality curriculum and materials for Classrooms Unleashed, Family STEM Nights, afterschool programs, summer programs, and special projects
  • Maintaining physical and digital organizational systems (i.e. filing student waivers, assessments, teacher materials, program materials, etc.)
  • Managing and organizing an inventory of program and office supplies
  • Administering and grading student assessments and conducting teacher and chaperone evaluations
  • Entering assessment data
• Representing Sierra Nevada Journeys at outreach and educational tabling events
• Participating in training, peer coaching and mentorship of Family STEM Night volunteers
• Supporting or leading trainings for volunteers and new staff members
• Other duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with children
• Commitment to equity, inclusion and cultural relevancy
• Current Red Cross CPR and First Aid (or willing to fulfill this requirement prior to start date)
• Access to reliable transportation
• Ability to commute daily to schools and field trip sites within a 45-minute drive of the Sierra Nevada Journeys office (with occasional longer commutes). Mileage reimbursement provided by Sierra Nevada Journeys.
• Ability to pass background check
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and maintain a positive attitude
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time, lift and carry program supplies up to 20lbs, and work outdoors in all weather conditions and on uneven terrain
• All employees and volunteers 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

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 2+ years of experience teaching in formal or informal education settings
• Working in summer camp or afterschool settings
• Passionate commitment to educational equity and understanding of issues of systemic oppression
• Teaching credential
• Excellent written, phone, and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and to be accountable to deliverables
• Attention to detail and organization
• Experience with and understanding of the Next Generation Science Standards

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• $20-$22/hour ($41,600-$45,760 annual equivalent) depending on experience
• Medical, dental and vision insurance (90% employer-paid for employees and 30% employer-paid for dependents)
• Phone use reimbursement at $5 per paycheck
• Optional 403(b) retirement plan with up to a 4% employer match by Sierra Nevada Journeys
• Earned paid time off starting from the first day of employment. PTO is accrued per pay period at the rate of 12 days per year.
• Potential for addition 3% pay for bilingual fluency in Spanish or other languages that support our programs
• Winter Break: Coinciding with the December/January holiday break, 2 weeks of reduced hours (schedule and time off are coordinated in advance with your manager); including partially paid time off during this time which does not count against your PTO accrual time.
• Employee discounts including 50% discounts on youth camp programs for your children for immediate family
• 12 paid holidays
• Mileage reimbursement
• Annual discretionary bonus based on company and individual performance
• 50% off Sierra Nevada Journeys’ youth camps for immediate family

Employment Highlights

Employment with an innovative organization focused on improving outdoor education delivery

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.

• Medical, dental and vision insurance (90% employer-paid for employees and 30% employer-paid for dependents)
• Phone use reimbursement at $5 per paycheck
• Optional 403(b) retirement plan with up to a 4% employer match by Sierra Nevada Journeys
• Earned paid time off starting from the first day of employment. PTO is accrued per pay period at the rate of 12 days per year.
• Potential for addition 3% pay for bilingual fluency in Spanish or other languages that support our programs
• Winter Break: Coinciding with the December/January holiday break, 2 weeks of reduced hours (schedule and time off are coordinated in advance with your manager); including partially paid time off during this time which does not count against your PTO accrual time.
• Employee discounts including 50% discounts on youth camp programs for your children for immediate family
• 12 paid holidays
• Mileage reimbursement
• Annual discretionary bonus based on company and individual performance
• 50% off Sierra Nevada Journeys’ youth camps for immediate family