Location: Saint Louis Zoo – Forest Park
Position Type: Full-Time
Position Summary:
Facilitate learning in a child directed environment, using an emergent curriculum and Reggio inspired approach that incorporates the Missouri Early Learning Standards.
Responsibilities:
- Collaborate on a three-person teaching team at the Second Nature Zoo Preschool.
- Facilitate learning in the new Nature Nook discovery room and at Zoo early childhood camps, classes and programs.
- Lead a teaching team in providing a nurturing, equitable, kind and compassionate learning environment.
- Lead by example; encourage teaching team success through modeling and coaching.
- Facilitate learning in a child directed environment, using an emergent curriculum and Reggio inspired approach that incorporates the Missouri Early Learning Standards.
- Create a comfortable and safe learning environment that meets the needs of all children.
- Teach children ages 3-5 in looping classrooms.
- Positively engage with families whose children are 0 – 10 in the discovery room.
- Foster a connection to the natural world through modeling environmentally friendly behaviors and attitudes, like a love of all wildlife and wild places and comfort in the outdoors, year-round, regardless of weather.
- Inspire joy and wonder in your work with children and families.
- Help create and maintain beautiful learning environments.
- Maintain and share a neurodiversity affirming mindset.
- Co-create meaningful and engaging learning experiences with children.
- Nurture a positive environment where children can regulate their emotions in a safe and productive way.
- Cultivate community with children, teachers and families that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion and celebrates individuality in a positive and respectful way.
- Observe, document and assess children’s development, and make learning visual through documentation.
- Support the whole child so that they are ready to move on to Kindergarten once they leave us.
- Foster positive relationships with families and coworkers built on trust and open communication.
- Maintain personal professional development plan to ensure continuous quality improvement and understanding of educational advances.
- Follow developmentally appropriate practice in all areas of your work including conservation messaging.
- Perform daily, weekly and quarterly cleaning regiment of materials.
- Follow all state licensing requirements as well as preschool, and Zoo policies.
- Providing excellent customer service.
Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree in early childhood, environmental Ed, or related field required
- MUST have experience in early childhood education.
- 2+ years in early childhood education preferred
- Experience working with children of all abilities required.
- Experience in a lead, point or management position required.
- Familiarity and comfort with Reggio and nature-based approaches to learning.
- High EQ and ability to maintain calm in difficult situations.
- Excel at working in a team environment.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and customer service skills a must.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to take directions as needed.
- Ability to work with guests of all ages.
- Ability to use Microsoft Office products
- Must be trained or willing to be trained in First Aid, CPR, AED and CPI. Must be willing to submit to a background check, drug screening and TB test.
- All successful candidates for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check and a drug test. As this is a safety-sensitive role, a negative drug test result is mandatory. The drug test screens for five substances, including marijuana.
Physical Demands: Must have the physical ability to lift 40 lbs. Must be able to work outdoors in all weather and move across Zoo grounds and in Forest Park at a steady pace on mixed terrain.
Work Schedule:
- Work 40 hours a week
- Work at least 1 weekend day per month and occasional evenings.
