Preschool Lead

Do you love working with young children and inspiring a love for nature? 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. If you're a passionate educator who believes in the power of play, exploration, and conservation education, this is your chance to make a wild difference!

Employment Status : Full Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Pay Rate: $14.75- $18.10/hr

Experience Required : 6 months experience working with preschool-age children ages 2-5 years in a formal or informal educational setting

Minimum Education Requirements: High School Diploma/GED

Department: Conservation, Education, Science

Direct Supervisor: Early Childhood Center Director

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

Primary Work Location: Nature Explorers Preschool, both indoors and outdoors

Certification: N/A

Other: Regular, timely attendance is a requirement for this position. This position is 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 and completion of OKC Zoo Health and Safety Institute training within 30 days of employment is required. This position works around animals susceptible to specific respiratory diseases and, thus, is subject to annual tuberculosis testing. Priority consideration will be given to applicants that apply on or before 08/19/2026 at 5pm.

Job Summary: The preschool lead teacher is responsible for positively fostering the academic, social-emotional growth and development of all children in their care and for developing effective partnerships with co-teachers. The lead teacher is also responsible for assuring compliance with the regulations and codes of all state and local governing contracting agencies and works collegially with other staff members of the Oklahoma City Zoo to fulfill the Zoo’s mission and strategic goals.

This position aims to engage students in early childhood education through environmental and conservation education lessons that support the Zoo’s mission, vision, values, and Oklahoma Academic Standards (OAS). The position helps facilitate fun and safe learning experiences to help preschoolers gain an appreciation for wildlife and the natural world. Daily preschool includes lessons geared to meet OAS and foster connection with nature and animals, nature play, zoo tours, animal encounters, arts, crafts, games, and other activities for mixed-age groups ranging from 2 to 5 years old.

Essential Job Functions

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential duties:

• 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 children’s development.
• Observe and record each children’s development using a combination of notes, assessments, portfolios, and documentation panels that measure physical, social/emotional, linguistic, and cognitive development. Share professional observations with families as needed and requested.
• Encourage appropriate behaviors and re-direct 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 a healthy, safe, clean, and developmentally appropriate environment.
• Ensure that all activities comply with safety protocols. Understand and follow all of the Zoo‘s safety and emergency protocols.
• Document behavioral and incident reports and effectively 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 NEP 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.
• Participates in conservation activities to support Zoo’s mission.
• Communicate and interact professionally with teachers, students, parents, and Zoo guests, conveying a professional, welcoming and friendly attitude.
• Value and support all work group members, offering assistance to ensure each other’s and the whole team’s 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 and wild places, conservation, people, and leadership.

Non-Essential Job Functions

• Perform other duties as assigned.

About Us

Oklahoma City is one of the fastest-growing metros in the United States and is the 20th largest city in the nation. For nearly two decades our residents have continually invested in our community to make it a place people can find belonging, visit and call home. Our employees are at the heart of those investments–delivering essential services our residents expect and creating a strong and thriving city for all people. Visit Oklahoma City--A Great Place to Live and Work! to learn more about our city.

The Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden connects people with our world’s vanishing wildlife and wild places to inspire conservation action. We’re seeking candidates who are passionate about the planet and all that inhabit it. Join our team of hardworking experts and get ready for a career that you’re wild about! To learn more about the Oklahoma City Zoo and our conservation efforts, please visit