POSITION OPENING
CHILDREN’S PLAY LEADER – Part-time/Seasonal

NATURE OF WORK

Effective immediately there is an opening for a Children’s Play Leader (starting pay $8.00/hour) in the Education Department. Children’s Play Leaders work within the Education Department of the San Antonio Zoo to facilitate children’s play in the Zoo’s children’s exhibit, Kronkosky’s Tiny Tot Nature Spot. This exhibit targets children under five.  Children’s Play Leaders are responsible for performing a variety of functions including facilitating exhibit exploration, teaching classes, leading activities, organizing crafts, presenting animals, engaging in story telling and much more.  The Children’s Play Leader reports to the Nature Spot Supervisor.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Establish and maintain positive, cooperative, and effective working relations with fellow employees.
• Constantly exhibit a customer service attitude, a smile, and an obvious interest in visitor comfort and service.
• Communicate with the public in a courteous and tactful manner and assist visitors with questions and directions to various areas of the Zoo.  Address the visitor - do not wait to be asked.
• Remove trash and debris from public areas; i.e. pick up litter whenever you see it.
• Facilitate children’s play in Nature Spot.
• Responsible for preparing the play areas each morning, monitoring children’s appropriate use of the exhibit, conducting safety audits, and closing down the play areas at the end of the day. Apply all standards, regulations, and guidelines adopted by the exhibit that address health, safety, and developmentally appropriate practices with young children and their families.
• Support the Zoo’s mission of conservation by implementing a comprehensive strategy for appropriate conservation education opportunities targeting children under age five and their families. 
• Collaborate with Zoo staff to insure accurate dissemination of information as well as maximum use of the Zoo’s resources to support conservation education and developmentally appropriate levels.
• Provide support for volunteers and other members of the Education Department as needed.
• Any and all other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to plan, create, implement, promote, execute and evaluate early childhood education programs reflecting environmental themes.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing.
• Desire to work outdoors with small children and their families in varying weather conditions, with multiple distractions.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Ability to relate effectively with the public, especially very young children and older adults.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to work weekends, holidays and occasional after-hour assignments.
• Training in early childhood and may currently be enrolled in college coursework.
• Strong desire to share wonders of the natural world with all audiences is required.  Prefer individuals with proven background in informal environmental education.
• Energy, enthusiasm and patience along with strong commitment to the importance of play within the field of early childhood education..

To apply for this opening please send resume and cover letter to:

San Antonio Zoo
Human Resources Department
3903 N. St. Mary's Street
San Antonio, TX 78212
Fax: (210) 734-7291

 

Download the Zoo's Employment Application (PDF)

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