Science Educator

Sierra Nevada Journeys is committed to delivering innovative outdoor, science-based education programs for youth to develop critical thinking skills and to inspire natural resource stewardship. We prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Our view is that active reflection, engagement, and commitment to these principles is crucial to creating a workplace that has diverse perspectives. We believe that environmental education and outdoor recreation should be accessible for all, and we are committed to prioritizing those in our community with the least access.

We strive to build our workforce and programs around our ability to serve communities diverse in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical and mental ability, values and perspectives. To achieve this vision, we focus on building sustainable partnerships with schools and communities that serve the youth who have the least access to high-quality science education and outdoor learning experiences. We invite continuous voice from these partners, and the youth and families they serve, to inform how we design and deliver culturally relevant and inclusive programs. It is with this vision in mind that we pursue our mission, striving to become the equitable and inclusive organization that the youth of our communities deserve.

WHO WE WANT

When you join our team at Sierra Nevada Journeys you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that requires broad collaboration among staff, administration, students and community partners. We value the ability to serve students from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities and orientations. Therefore, we prioritize applicants who demonstrate they understand the benefits diversity brings our organization. The successful candidate will be an equity-minded individual committed to collaborating with staff, administration, students and community partners to deliver innovative outdoor, science-based education programs for youth to develop critical thinking skills and to inspire natural resource. We recruit a workforce that reflects our audience. We value our employees by fostering a culture where the unique backgrounds and perspectives of our staff are seen and heard, and by providing sustainable compensation, mentorship and professional development opportunities.

THE POSITION

Sierra Nevada Journeys is seeking dynamic education professionals to help expand the program base in Northern Nevada. The Science Educator position requires a motivated individual with an engaging personality and an insistence on excellence who 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, family STEM nights), grade and analyze assessments and support the overall education operations of the Classrooms Unleashed program. The position requires an individual who is able to work well on their own and on a team, and who is committed to supporting a nonprofit on the leading edge of the informal education industry. Part-time Educators will report directly to Sierra Nevada Journeys’ Reno Program Director.

• Position is 15-30 hours per week.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Education:

• Teach Sierra Nevada Journeys programs in the classroom and field and lead Family STEM Nights. Typical programs may include the following (70 percent):
•  Classrooms Unleashed programs consist of three lessons (two classroom and one field trip)
  based on topics including environmental science, earth science and life science.
  • • Classroom lessons include teaching classes of 20-to-35 students for 60-to-90 minutes in first-through-sixth-grade classrooms throughout northern Neavda.
      You will be trained on Sierra Nevada Journeys’ curriculum and best teaching practices.
  • Outdoor field studies include leading trail groups of 12-to-20 students through a
    variety of field-based science activities during half day field trips to local natural
    areas.
    • Family STEM Night events hosted by Sierra Nevada Journeys at elementary and middle schools.
  • Organize supplies, facilitate operations, and lead or oversee a team of interns,
    volunteers, and other staff — to host a successful event.
• Deliver and analyze student assessment and teacher program evaluations for program feedback and improvement (10 percent).
• Participate in staff meetings and trainings, with opportunities to lead trainings if desired (10
  percent).
• Assist with program preparation duties, such as printing student notebooks, teacher packets and assessments (5 percent).
• Support outreach events, such as job fairs, educational tabling events, etc. (5 percent).
• Time frame: August – December, late February – mid-June. Winter (January and February) and  summer (mid-June to mid-August) hours are not guaranteed, and at a minimum, will likely decrease significantly. Program development; curriculum writing; and supporting, teaching or observing other Sierra Nevada Journeys programs — may be included during these off-season time frames.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. availability.
• Evening availability on Tuesdays and Thursdays (for Family STEM Night facilitation).
• Current Red Cross CPR and First Aid (or willing to fulfill this requirement prior to start date). 
• Ability to pass background check.
• Passionate commitment to working with children of all backgrounds.
• Ability to commute daily to schools and field trip sites within a 45 minute drive of downtown Reno (with occasional longer commutes). Mileage reimbursement provided by Sierra Nevada Journeys.
• Substitute teaching license. Substitute teaching license. Current licensure not required to apply, but if considered for the position, must be actively pursuing or willing to do so. Sierra Nevada Journeys will reimburse for all associated costs.
• 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 as a condition of employment.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• $20 per hour
• Six paid holidays
• Partial cell phone plan reimbursement
• Mileage reimbursement
• Potential to earn an additional 3% in pay for bilingual fluency in Spanish or other languages that support our programs
• Optional 403(b) retirement plan and up to a 4% match by Sierra Nevada Journeys
• Excellent training in evidence-based teaching practices and positive behavior management
• In-house professional learning sessions and stipend for professional development opportunities
• Innovative company focused on improving outdoor education delivery

TO APPLY

• Please click "Apply" below to send resume, cover letter, and list of two references (one personal and one professional).
• In the subject line of your email please include “Science Educator - Reno” and your last name.

EEO STATEMENT

Sierra Nevada Journeys is 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.