Nature Preschool Assistant

Early childhood nature-based education begins with relationships! Dallas Zoo's Wild Earth Preschool is a full-time, year round licensed child care center for children ages 3-5. Nature is our classroom as we scaffold our little ones' social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth. If you are a nature-loving, conservation-minded individual who puts the holistic development of young children at the center of what you do, we'd love to hear from you! 

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Teaching and Curriculum:
• Assist in facilitation of developmentally appropriate nature-based preschool programming.
• Incorporate project based learning in an emergent curriculum that follows National Association for Educators of Young Children (NAEYC) and North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) Guidelines.
• Assist in planning learning opportunities based on child interests, including outdoor activities, play, art, music, dance and drama, language, math, science, technology, social/emotional, gross and fine motor.
• Help young children with self-help skills in dressing, grooming, bathroom activities, etc.
• Assist in preparing environments and materials to support learning opportunities.
• Assist in conducting formative assessments and maintain child portfolios.
Relationships:
• Sustain a welcoming, peaceful and joyful classroom family atmosphere.
• Assist in developing children’s emotional, social, and behavioral skills through connection with nature, positive guidance, conflict resolution strategies, and mindfulness approaches.
• Sustain a culturally responsive inclusive environment for children and their families.
Physical Environment:
• Assure children’s physical and emotional safety, including following procedures in medication administration, allergy management, and authorized release.
• Assist in maintaining a clean, healthy, safe outdoor and indoor environment. Ensure accurate and timely documentation of compliance logs.
• Respond to emergencies in a calm and responsible manner.
• Communicate concerns about the learning environment or children to the Early Childhood Manager.
Families:
• Involve families in their children’s educational growth, and encourage families to fully participate in the program.
• Positively communicate child progress with family members and other teaching staff.
Administration and Operations:
• Collaborate with parents, guardians, education staff, and other zoo departments.
• Maintain compliance with all relevant governmental, company, and departmental rules and regulations.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Valid CDA or 12 college credits in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development (CD), Elementary Education (ELED), Early Childhood Special Education (ECSPED), or enrolled in a program that will lead to these qualifications or higher preferred.
• Experience in nature based programming and demonstrated interest in conservation and environmental education preferred.
Knowledge and Skills
• Knowledge of basic biologic, ecologic, geologic, natural historic concepts preferred.
• Must demonstrate strong emotional intelligence, including empathy and listening skillset.
• Must demonstrate working knowledge of hazards and risk assessment as related to the environments of young children.
• Must be flexible and willing to assist with a variety of teaching and administrative duties.
• Must be able to create a culturally responsive inclusive environment for children and their families.
• Must be able to communicate positively and effectively in English, orally and in writing. Communication in another language a plus.
• Must demonstrate computer literacy, including use of Microsoft Office Suite and email.
Working Conditions
• Must be able to work outdoors in all seasons and all types of weather conditions 60% or more of each day.
• Must be able to safely navigate a variety of surfaces, walk long distances, stand for extended periods of time, sit, kneel, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above head, climb stairs or ramps, and carry up to 50 lb.
• A typical work week is 40 hours, M-F. Occasional evenings and weekends are scheduled for parent meetings, in service trainings, and/or special events.
Other
• Pediatric CPR/first aid certification required, or the ability to receive certification within 2 weeks of employment
• Complete drug screening, background check, TB test.
• Must be able to sign DFPS form 2985 Affidavit for Applicants for Employment with a Licensed Child Care Center.
• Must have a valid TX driver’s license to operate company vehicles and reliable transportation

How to apply:

Apply today at DallasZoo.com/careers

or 

http://app.jobvite.com/m?3TSKjmwF