Preschool Lead
$30,680–$37,648 year
On-siteOklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Job Summary
Facilitate nature-based learning experiences for preschoolers (ages 2-5) through hands-on activities, zoo tours, animal encounters, and arts and crafts. Deliver curriculum aligned with Oklahoma Academic Standards while observing and documenting each child's development in physical, social-emotional, linguistic, and cognitive domains. Maintain a safe indoor and outdoor environment, enforce behavioral protocols, and present ambassador animals after training. Collaborate with teaching teams to create special programming, communicate daily updates to families via BrightWheel, and conduct biannual parent conferences. Complete required safety training, tuberculosis testing, and annual professional development. Prioritize applications submitted by August 19, 2026.
Required Qualifications
- 6 months experience working with preschool-age children ages 2-5 years in a formal or informal educational setting
- High School Diploma/GED
- Regular, timely attendance
- Subject to pre-employment and/or periodic background checks and restricted registry checks
- Ability to complete CPR/1st Aid certification within 30 days of hire
- Completion of OKC Zoo Health and Safety Institute training within 30 days of employment
- Annual tuberculosis testing
- Ability to complete daily assigned responsibilities including set-up, clean-up, and program maintenance
- Maintain OKDHS & CECPD requirement for 12 clock hours of professional development per year
Desired Qualifications
- Passion for working with young children and inspiring a love for nature
- Belief in the power of play, exploration, and conservation education
- Experience delivering provided curriculum and lesson plans aligned with Pre-K OAS
- Experience observing and recording children's development using notes, assessments, portfolios, and documentation panels
- Experience encouraging appropriate behaviors and re-directing inappropriate behaviors following standard operating procedures
- Experience presenting ambassador animals after receiving training
- Experience maintaining a physically and emotionally safe environment for young children indoors and outdoors
- Experience documenting behavioral and incident reports and effectively relaying information to supervisors and parents
- Experience maintaining regular and professional communication with teaching teams and families, including sending updated photos on BrightWheel daily, leading parent-teacher conferences twice a year, and attending weekly staff meetings
- Experience collaborating with preschool manager, supervisor, and coordinator in the creation of NEP special programming
- Experience applying developmentally appropriate practices to all interactions with children, including reflective listening, modeling social/emotional norms, and promoting self-regulation
- Experience keeping all children active and engaged in the classroom and outdoors
- Experience participating in conservation activities to support Zoo's mission
- Experience communicating and interacting professionally with teachers, students, parents, and Zoo guests, conveying a professional, welcoming and friendly attitude
- Experience valuing and supporting all work group members, offering assistance to ensure each other's and the whole team's success
- Experience setting personal and professional goals, seeking opportunities to develop skills in focus areas
- Practice and model the Zoo's Values centered on wildlife and wild places, conservation, people, and leadership
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