Preschool Lead

Do you love working with young children and inspiring a love for nature? The Preschool Lead Teacher at the Oklahoma City Zoo plays a vital role in fostering the academic and social-emotional growth of preschoolers (ages 2-5) through hands-on, nature-based learning! From animal encounters to zoo tours, arts, crafts, and games, you'll create engaging experiences that spark curiosity and connection with wildlife. If you're a passionate educator who believes in the power of play, exploration, and conservation education, this is your chance to make a wild difference! 🦋🌿🎨

Employment Status: Full-Time/ Part-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Pay Rate: $14.75- $18.10/hr

Department: Education

Reports to : Early Childhood Center Director

Supervisory Responsibility : Direct (0); Indirect (0)

Primary Work Location : Zoo setting both indoors and outdoors.

Job Summary

The preschool lead teacher is responsible for positively fostering the academic, social-emotional growth and development of all children in their care and for developing effective partnerships with co-teachers. The lead teacher is also responsible for assuring compliance with the regulations and codes of all state and local governing contracting agencies and works collegially with other staff members of the Oklahoma City Zoo to fulfill the Zoo’s mission and strategic goals.

This position aims to engage students in early childhood education through environmental and conservation education lessons that support the Zoo’s mission, vision, values, and Oklahoma Academic Standards (OAS). The position helps facilitate fun and safe learning experiences to help preschoolers gain an appreciation for wildlife and the natural world. Daily preschool includes lessons geared to meet OAS and foster connection with nature and animals, nature play, zoo tours, animal encounters, arts, crafts, games, and other activities for mixed-age groups ranging from 2 to 5 years old.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience : 6 months experience working with preschool-age children ages 2-5 years in a formal or informal educational setting

Education : High School Diploma/GED

Certification: N/A

Knowledge

- Early child development principles and practices

- Age-appropriate learning strategies

- Customer service and guest relations principles in an educational or similar setting

- Computer software applications including word processing, databases, and spreadsheets

Skills

- Delivering educational presentations and speeches

- Identifying materials needed for educational program delivery

- Interpersonal and communication techniques

- Organization and time management

Abilities

- Follow safety and operational protocols established by the Preschool, Zoo, and regulatory agencies

- Identify workplace hazards and use appropriate safety equipment

- Plan, organize, and implement educational activities

- Reinforce appropriate behaviors and redirect inappropriate behaviors in accordance with procedures

- Manage multiple tasks, adapt to interruptions, and adjust to changing priorities

- Identify solutions to problems

- Work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, holidays, and weather-related emergencies

- Work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions

- Work a 40-hour schedule

- Contribute to a positive work culture for the Education team

- Interact with children and parents in a welcoming and approachable manner

Physical Demands

- Must be able to navigate a variety of surfaces safely, walk long distances, stand for extended periods of time, sit, kneel, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above head, climb stairs or ramps.

- Push, lift, and carry up to 25 lb. with assistance.

- May be exposed to fumes, odors, dust, moving mechanical parts and vehicles.

- Exposure to outdoor weather conditions, such as heat, cold, rain, snow, and ice.

Other: This position is subject to pre-employment and/or periodic background checks.

Core Responsibilities and Accountabilities (Essential Functions)

Job Knowledge and Skills

- Facilitates nature-based learning experiences aligned with developmentally appropriate practices and Oklahoma Academic Standards across developmental domains

- Guides children through play, exploration, and structured learning experiences

- Maintains a safe environment for children by following established safety protocols and applying behavior management practices

Accountability and Reliability

- Performs assigned duties in alignment with the Zoo’s mission of conservation and core values of wildlife and wild places, people, leadership, and conservation.

Communication and Collaboration

- Collaborates with co-teachers to deliver curriculum and manage classroom responsibilities

- Communicates with families regarding student development and participates in conferences and school events

Initiative and Problem Solving

- Handles issues that arrive efficiently and effectively.

Adaptability and Flexibility

- Adapts to outdoor learning environments and changing classroom conditions

**This position description is a general guideline for work behavior and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all job duties. Therefore, it is also not, nor can it be implied to be, a contract of employment. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential tasks. Must be able to successfully complete an intense background investigation.