Early Childhood Program Manager

Employment Status: Full-time

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Pay: $41,142.40-$47,313.76 Annually

Experience Required: 1+ years’ experience as director of state licensed child-care facility. 4 years’ experience in nature-based education, prefer background in nature-based preschool or similar experience including two (2) years in a supervisory role.

Minimum Education Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education or related field. 

Department: Conservation, Education and Science 

Direct Supervisor: Director of Education 

Supervisory Responsibility: Direct (7); Indirect (0) 

Primary Work Location: Zoo Setting both indoors and outdoors.

Certification: Ability to hold a valid Child Care Center Director’s Certificate bronze or higher level from the State of Oklahoma or has the qualifications to obtain certificate within 90 days of hire. Ability to complete CPR/1st Aid certification within 30 days of hire. 

Other: This position is safety sensitive. It is subject to pre-employment and/or periodic background checks, restricted registry checks, and drug testing. This position works around animals susceptible to specific respiratory diseases, thus is subject to annual tuberculosis testing and must vaccinate against Covid19. 

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

• Maintain records and ensure compliance with all child care licensing regulations and requirements of the Oklahoma Human Services Licensing Requirements for Child Care Programs.
• Supervise and manage full-time and part-time preschool instructors including hiring, documenting and evaluating performance, coordinating schedules, assigning responsibilities, and monitoring work hours. Ensure high quality programming and customer service through establishment of performance measures, goals, objectives and priorities. Ensure that all members of the preschool team are informed about departmental goals, activities and programs to ensure that they can appropriately provide information to customers.
• Maintains a current Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder (OPDL) certificate of Level 4 or higher. 
• Oversee preschool budget and monitor monthly expense/revenue against approved budget.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of preschoolers. Work with preschool instructors to ensure classrooms and learning spaces are safe, developmentally appropriate and attractive.
• Develops and implements age-appropriate curriculum (lesson plan) to nurture and stimulate all domains of children’s development in their care.  
• Perform on-going developmental evaluations of children and develop lesson plans and follow curriculum implementation that addresses the individual needs of each child.  
• On an on-going basis, plan, evaluate and improve the physical environment in the classroom to create opportunities to meet the changing needs of the developing child.  
• Ensures programs are aligned with Zoo mission, Education department goals, DHS licensure standards, ensures school programs are aligned with Oklahoma Academic Standards.  
• Supports incorporation of best practices in science education in all programs: supports inclusion of NGSS science practices and STEM skill development. 
• Comfort and ability to handle animal ambassadors with provided training.  
• Developing marketing and promotional materials that highlight the preschool program to the community and help to ensure program success. 
• Provide information and tours for prospective enrollees and maintain enrollment status.
• Support the relationship and communication between instructors and preschoolers; and between instructors and parents. Address child behavior issues. 
• Ability to positively discipline students in accordance with protocol and procedures.  
• Keep all children active and engaged in the classroom and participates with children in group activities.  
• Establish a nurturing relationship with the children in addition to serving as a positive role model. 
• Demonstrate initiative- assist and complete general housekeeping tasks. 
• Participates in conservation activities to support Zoo’s mission. 
• Drive excellence in guest interactions and satisfaction. 
• Represents the zoo in a professional manner at all times. 
• Creates an atmosphere of respect with peers and works as a team 

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.

ABOUT THE TEAM

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 www.okczoo.org.