Science Educator

Sierra Nevada Journeys seeks dynamic education professionals to help expand the program base in 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, afterschool program, and Family STEM Nights) and support the overall education operations of the Classrooms Unleashed program. The position requires an individual who can work well on their own and on a team and is committed to supporting a nonprofit on the leading edge of the informal education industry. Part-time Science Educators will report directly to Sierra Nevada Journeys’ Sacramento Senior Program Director.  

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Teach Sierra Nevada Journeys programs in both English and Spanish at school and field sites (85%)
• Typical programs may include the following:
  1. Classrooms Unleashed – Most teaching will be done through this multi-part program. This program includes one in-class lesson and an outdoor science field study at a local nature site. Topics include Earth Science, Life Science, Environmental Science, and Physical Science and Engineering.
     • 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.
  2. Family STEM Nights – Lead family engagement events 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.
  3. Afterschool Programs – Facilitate 60–90-minute, hands-on STEM and team-building activities with up to 30 students in the classroom and the schoolyard.
  4. Summer Day Camp – Facilitate summer day camp programs at local outdoor sites—lead groups of 15 elementary-aged children through STEM learning activities and traditional summer camp activities. 
• Assist with program administration duties, such as printing student notebooks, prepping lesson bins, communicating with teachers, grading student assessments, and inputting teacher program evaluation responses (10%)
• Participate in staff meetings and training and support outreach events, such as job fairs, educational tabling events, etc. (5%)

TIME FRAME

• This is a year-round position, with some seasonal variability for hours. Most of our programs align with the school calendar. Therefore, most working hours occur from mid-August to mid-December and late February to mid-June.
• Winter (mid-December through late February) hours will be lower, with fewer programs during these time frames.
  1. Program development, curriculum writing, teaching, or observing other Sierra Nevada Journeys programs may be included during these off-season time frames.
• Summer hours include leading our Summer Day Camp program at local outdoor sites (mid-June-early August)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. availability with occasional evening availability until 7 p.m. for Family STEM Night facilitation (workdays will not exceed 8 hours)
• Ability to commute daily to schools and field trip sites within a 15-to-50-minute drive of the Sacramento office
  1. Carpooling from the Sacramento office is available for some but not all programs
• Current Red Cross CPR and First Aid (or willing to fulfill this requirement before the start date)
• 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
• All employees and volunteers are required to attest in writing they have up-to-date immunizations against the diseases needed for public school attendance in the state in which they work 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION

• Professional proficiency in Spanish
  1. Excellent written, phone, and in-person communication skills in English and Spanish
  2. Ability to accurately translate program materials, and internal and external communications from English to Spanish

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Potential for an additional 3% pay for Spanish fluency or other languages relevant to supporting our programs
• Six paid holidays
• Partial cell phone plan reimbursement
• Paid sick leave
• Optional 403(b) retirement plan and up to a 4% match by Sierra Nevada Journeys
• Mileage reimbursement 
• Excellent training in evidence-based teaching practices and positive behavior management
• In-house professional learning sessions and stipend for professional development opportunities
• Innovative organization focused on high-quality programs and improving access to the outdoors