Preschool Lead

Employment Status: Full Time, Non-Exempt | Pay Rate: $14.75–$18.10/hr

About the Role

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. This position engages students in early childhood education through environmental and conservation education lessons that support the Zoo’s mission, vision, values, and Oklahoma Academic Standards (OAS). Daily preschool includes lessons aligned with Pre-K OAS, nature play, zoo tours, animal encounters, arts, crafts, games, and other activities for mixed-age groups ranging from 2 to 5 years old.

Responsibilities

• Work in teaching teams to facilitate nature-based activities that reflect the children's needs and interests.
• Deliver provided curriculum and lesson plans aligned with Pre-K OAS to nurture and stimulate all domains of each child’s development.
• Observe and record each child’s development using notes, assessments, portfolios, and documentation panels that measure physical, social/emotional, linguistic, and cognitive development. Share observations with families as needed.
• Encourage appropriate behaviors and redirect inappropriate behaviors following standard operating procedures.
• Present ambassador animals after receiving training.
• Provide a physically and emotionally safe environment for young children indoors and outdoors. Assist children with maintaining a healthy, safe, clean, and developmentally appropriate environment.
• Ensure all activities comply with safety protocols. Understand and follow all Zoo safety and emergency protocols.
• Document behavioral and incident reports and relay information to supervisors and parents.
• Maintain 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.
• Collaborate with preschool manager, supervisor, and coordinator in the creation of special programming.
• Apply developmentally appropriate practices to all interactions with children, including reflective listening, modeling social/emotional norms, and promoting self-regulation.
• Complete daily assigned responsibilities including set-up, clean-up, and program maintenance.
• Keep all children active and engaged in the classroom and outdoors.
• Participate in conservation activities to support the Zoo’s mission.
• Communicate and interact professionally with teachers, students, parents, and Zoo guests, conveying a welcoming and friendly attitude.
• Value and support all work group members, offering assistance to ensure team success.
• Set personal and professional goals, seeking opportunities to develop skills in focus areas.
• Maintain OKDHS & CECPD requirement for 12 clock hours of professional development per year.
• Practice and model the Zoo’s values centered on wildlife, wild places, conservation, people, and leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 6 months of experience working with preschool-age children (ages 2–5) in a formal or informal educational setting.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Regular, timely attendance is required.
• Subject to pre-employment and periodic background checks and restricted registry checks.
• Ability to complete CPR/First Aid certification within 30 days of hire.
• Completion of OKC Zoo Health and Safety Institute training within 30 days of employment.
• Annual tuberculosis testing required due to working around animals susceptible to specific respiratory diseases.