Pali Institute is seeking enthusiastic Educators with a strong work ethic and a passion for teaching to join their outdoor education family!

Pali Institute is a rigorous, fast-paced, fun-filled program constantly striving to develop exciting outdoor curriculum for students in grades 4th-12th. With over 30 class modules in Outdoor Education, Science and Leadership coupled with a professional and vibrant outdoor staff, students will experience the thrill of seeing, touching and learning about the world around them. This unique outdoor setting allows students to fully embrace the wonders of science, environmental ethics, outdoor skills, team building and leadership.

Pali strives to be an excellent educational supplement to classroom-based education and is proud to be a WSCUC (WASC Senior College and University Commission) and AEE (Association for Experiential Education) accredited organization.

Outdoor Education Instructor Jobs

As an Outdoor Education Instructor, you will have the opportunity to teach, facilitate and mentor groups of students each week.

Outdoor Education Instructors
As a Pali Institute Outdoor Education Instructor, you will have the opportunity to teach, facilitate and mentor groups of students each week. Most weeks Instructors teach an activity group during the day and then take on the role of cabin instructor with responsibilities during meals and at night.

Being physically fit is a major requirement of the job as you will be engaged in physical activities everyday. The science curriculum covers a broad array of topics such as alternative energy sources, squid dissection and herpetology. With California’s seismic history in mind, Instructors test the strength of student's engineered structures. Students also learn about aerodynamic principles as they build and launch bottle rockets. Personal and social growth is fostered and encouraged with the help of team building sessions, the low ropes course, five high ropes courses and quad zip lines. Outdoor education programming, such as hikes, LNT principles and basic camping skills, round out your daytime activities.

When the sun goes down, both Instructors and students perform skits, learn about crepuscular animals while using their senses on a night hike, or turn up the music as the students perform karaoke. In addition, students are able to gaze into the night as they learn about stars, planets and the galaxy on their way back to the cabins. During cabin time, Instructors can customize the students’ free time, gearing activities or relaxation time towards sharing personal passions like music or art or adventuring out to play games during an exploratory hike.

By the end of the week, you are able to reflect on both the rewards of working with children and teaching in the outdoors.

When not in cabin, Pali Institute offers seven off-site houses for staff to reside in. With an extensive training period where curriculum is showcased and discussed, local ropes procedures are trained, and team building is not only taught, but enjoyed—a family culture emerges each season. You will meet some of the closest friends you will ever make while working and living with other lighthearted and fun individuals.

New Instructor info—all of your staff questions answered here »

Experience the tight knit Pali community.

Location

Pali's campus is spread over 74 acres of pine and hardwood forest with views of surrounding peaks.

Live the Southern California Lifestyle!
Pali's campus is spread over 74 acres of pine and hardwood forest with views of surrounding peaks. Located in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California, the region offers just about any type of outdoor recreation adventure and endless places to explore. In the winter months you can go snowboarding in the morning and surfing in the afternoon. Within hours of Pali, you can find Joshua Tree National Park, Big Bear Lake or the Pacific Ocean. While up on top of a mountain in a small community of about 5,000 you are 30 minutes from San Bernardino and 2 hours from Los Angeles.

Enjoy a challenging AND rewarding career where you can live and work in the mountains as a part of a team of people equally as excited and motivated to give kids and guests an experience they will never forget!

Season Commitment

Personal and social growth is fostered and encouraged with the help of team building sessions, the low ropes course, three high ropes courses and quad zip lines.

2025 Seasonal Employment Dates
• Spring 2025: January 5th to May 30th, 2025
• Fall 2025: mid-August to mid-December
• Full 2025-26 Season Contract: mid-August 2025 through the end of May 2026 (with a winter break from mid-December to early January)

Mid-season start date work options and shorter-term contracts are possible.

This is a full-time residential position Monday through Friday with hours scheduled according to group attendance and additional duties as assigned. There are a few weekends with schools booked as well as opportunities for conference work.

While 2-4 nights will be spent in cabin (fluctuating schedule each week), Instructors have the majority of weekends off—allowing for ample opportunity to explore the immediate area or further away destinations. With city life bustling below, lakes nearby, plenty of trails to explore, and great climbing opportunities only minutes away, there is no lack of recreation to be had on free time. Small town living in the San Bernardino Mountains also provides a cozy retreat from the Inland Empire, and other large metropolitan areas.

View a sample schedule of what a traditional week at Pali Institute looks like.

Perks & Rewards

Every day is an opportunity to work with a diverse student body and in many different capacities.

On the Job Training!
With a comprehensive training period, opportunity to shadow classes, feedback via observations and advisory groups—Pali staff can take their camp and life skills to a new level. Every day is an opportunity to work with a diverse student body and in many different capacities. You will learn how to facilitate ropes courses, team building, debriefings and teach science classes. On top of the science, leadership and outdoor education, you will also enjoy some conventional camp fun. You’ll sing songs, tell stories, participate in variety shows, watch movies and play field games. The great thing about Pali is the dynamic nature of the Instructor position. With well-rounded experiences throughout the season, you will gain valuable competence for future endeavors.

Come expand your network with Pali staff members from all over the United States.

Enjoy a challenging AND rewarding career where you can live and work in the mountains as a part of a team of people equally as excited and motivated to give kids and guests an experience they will never forget!

Perks of the Jobs
• Compensation starts at $475-$520/week (dependent on level of education), plus $50 bonus pay for nights in cabin (expect 2-4 nights/week, which bumps the pay up to $675-$720/week!). This means a total compensation package from $1,030-$1,075/week with housing, utilities, and other paid amenities included.
• All meals when programming is running.
• Fully furnished shared off-site housing with complimentary WiFi, Netflix and laundry for weekend and out-of-cabin use.
• Private on-site staff lounge.
• 50% of health benefits after 60 days.
• Pro-deal purchases with companies like Prana, Black Dimond and more.
• Most weekends off and a 5-day workweek.
• Travel stipend available for anyone traveling from out of state.
• Working with awesome, like-minded people.
• Easy access to all that Southern California has to offer.

Build a future with Pali!
• Trainings for Ropes Leads and School Leads available during your first season providing a $10-$40/week pay raise.
• Leadership opportunities often become available for Instructors who have completed at least one season with Pali (these positions include a $280-$325/week pay raise).

The Essentials

While past experience is preferred and pivotal to the program, someone with the right skill sets and motivations can often be an asset to the Pali team.

Are you the right fit?
Applicants with a Bachelor's degree or those with extensive experience in the camping and/or experiential education fields are preferred. Must be passionate about science, outdoor education and/or leadership development, comfortable and confident supervising and teaching students in large and small groups and able to have fun with kids, laugh at yourself and be silly.

While past experience is preferred and pivotal to the program, someone with the right skill sets and motivations can often be an asset to the Pali team.

Ideal applicants have a passion for teaching, enthusiasm, initiative, patience, a good sense of humor and are flexible, team players, growth oriented, active and physically able to complete all tasks associated with the job (hiking, belaying, working long hours…). At minimum, applicants must be over the age of 21 before the season starts.

Why work at Pali? Join a community of like-minded people ready for the next adventure!

Your First Move & Connections

Work with kids as an Outdoor Instructor!

To apply, fill out the online application or email your cover letter and resume to the Pali Hiring Team. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled—and please feel free to follow-up on your application status!

Current Instructor Hiring Needs
Pali is actively recruiting full-time, seasonal Instructors for spring 2025 (January 5th to May 30th).

Shannon Kane
Staff Recruiter
Pali Institute
30778 Hwy 18
P.O. Box 2237
Running Springs, CA 92382
(909) 939-0877 ext. 323
hiring@palimountain.com
PaliInstitute.com

Meet the Pali team »

Experience Pali's Outdoor Education program.

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