Dallas Zoo Management
Nature Preschool Assistant - Temporary
Dallas Zoo Management, Dallas, Texas, United States, 75215
### Description**JOB SUMMARY**This position is an assistant teaching and caregiving position for the Wild Earth Preschool program, a nature preschool at the Dallas Zoo. Classes are mixed-age groups of children ages 3-5 years old who attend full-time daycare. Equipped with growing knowledge in early childhood development or a related field and the ability to inspire children to connect with nature through play and exploration, the assistant fosters positive relationships with children, parents, and staff to benefit whole-child growth. Together with the teaching team, this position assists in planning, implementing, and documenting learning; maintaining safety and regulation standards; and participating in nature-based activities with the children in all safe weather conditions. Assistants are organized, responsible, joyful, energetic, flexible, child-focused, safety-conscious, and enjoy being outdoors year-round for most of the day.Regular working hours, typically 40 per week, are scheduled Monday – Friday, though some weekends and evenings will be required for family events and staff meetings. Hours may vary between 7:30 am and 6:15 pm.This is a temporary assignment expected to end in early February 2026.**SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**Teaching and Curriculum:
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Assist in facilitation of developmentally appropriate nature-based preschool programming.
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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 motor, and fine motor skills.
•
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
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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 driver’s license to operate company vehicles and reliable transportation #J-18808-Ljbffr
•
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 motor, and fine motor skills.
•
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 driver’s license to operate company vehicles and reliable transportation #J-18808-Ljbffr