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Nature Preschool Teacher and Director

Posted: November 5, 2021 by MAEE Administration

Category: Minnesota Zoological Garden

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Nature Preschool Teacher and Director
Job Type
  • Full Time
Organization Minnesota Zoo
Job Description

Nature Preschool Teacher and Director 

  • Closing Date: 11/12/2021
  • Hiring Agency: Minnesota Zoological Garden / Zoological Gardens-MMA
  • Salary Range: $23.17 - $33.64/hourly; $48,378 - $70,240/annually

Job Summary

This position is responsible for developing and launching a new nature-based preschool that meets the developmental needs of young children and aligns with the mission of the Minnesota Zoo. The incumbent will design the overall program structure and develop a rich emergent child-centered curriculum based on current research and best practices in nature-based early learning. The incumbent is responsible for achieving initial program licensure and eventual accreditation, managing recruitment and enrollment, acquiring program and classroom supplies, developing parent resources, training preschool staff, facilitating family events, and acting as the lead teacher. This position will manage the daily operations of the preschool and cultivate a culture of continuous improvement by integrating a robust program evaluation protocol to ensure a high-quality learning experience for all students.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Design, develop, and direct a new nature preschool program that meets the Zoo’s mission and revenue goals and utilizes nature as the organizing principle and primary venue for all learning
  • Lead, supervise, and direct personnel so that staff are skilled and available as needed; programs are staffed correctly to meet objectives, deadlines and stay within budget; collective bargaining agreements, policies and procedures and all employment laws and regulations are implemented and enforced; and all employees and applicants receive equitable treatment.
  • Serve as lead instructor and train and mentor other preschool staff to ensure a high-quality inclusive learning environment that meets the unique needs of diverse early learners
  • Manage student recruitment and enrollment, initial launch, and ongoing operations of the preschool to ensure an inclusive, safe, and seamless experience for all participating families
  • Design, plan and implement limited scaled toddler and preschool programs to meet goals as outlined by the Education department
  • Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the smooth functioning of the department and maintain the reputation of the organization as a viable business partner

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education, Elementary Education, Environmental Education, or related field
  • Current license in Elementary Education with a pre-primary specialty (for working with children three years old and older)
  • Experience teaching children 3-5 years old
  • Experience in environmental education and familiarity with Emergent, Reggio, Inquiry Learning, Place-based, or similar educational pedagogies sufficient to develop a custom nature-based preschool curriculum specific to the Zoo mission, site, and unique resources.
  • Experience training teaching staff
  • Knowledge and understanding of the Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers as set forth by the State of Minnesota Department of Human Services sufficient to apply for, achieve, and maintain licensure
  • Knowledge of children’s physical, emotional, and developmental patterns and needs and the ability to implement and share that knowledge.
  • Ability to assess student learning and development and discern when enrolled children may need special education or medical services.
  • Culturally competent interpersonal skills sufficient to promote an inclusive work and learning environment that meets the needs of a diversity of ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic, and linguistic backgrounds and physical and mental abilities.
  • Oral and written communication skills sufficient to prepare and deliver reports and presentations for both practitioner and lay audiences.
  • Computer skills using business software applications such as Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams sufficient to collect, query and analyze data and prepare emails, procedures, reports, and presentations for varied audiences
  • Current First Aid/CPR (including child) certification or willingness to obtain within 6 months

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience developing a licensed preschool program including experience with preschool operations, data, budget, and facility management.
  • Experience starting a new nature-based preschool program, achieving program licensure and accreditation, developing curriculum, and creating operational protocols
  • Documented experience in risk assessment
  • Experience with program evaluation and research
  • Experience working at a Zoo, nature center, or other similar nature-based organization
  • Awareness of, sensitivity towards, and empathy with animals, their needs and their purpose on the earth sufficient to promote the Zoo’s mission and Animal Welfare principles
  • Knowledge of Minnesota Parent Aware program sufficient to achieve and maintain a 4-star rating.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the standards for accreditation set by the NAEYC sufficient to develop a program and successfully apply for accreditation.
  • Passion for the natural world

Physical Requirements

  • Flexible availability including weekdays, evenings, and weekends as necessary
  • Ability to work outside in a variety of weather conditions and temperatures in all Minnesota seasons.
  • Ability or willingness to handle a variety of animals including amphibians, mammals, invertebrates, and reptiles.
  • Ability to lift and move up to fifty pounds and set up equipment.
  • Ability to stand for long periods of time and walk long distances on uneven terrain
  • Ability to carry and use two-way portable radios to communicate with all zoo staff
  • Ability to sit at a desk and operate a computer for 6-8 hours per day
  • Ability to work in an environment that includes both indoor and outdoor workspaces year-round, with moderate noise generated by office and air handling equipment

Additional Requirements

This position requires successful completion of the following:

  • Employment verification checks, criminal background checks, child protection check and driver's license check

Application Details

Why Work For Us

GREAT BENEFITS PACKAGE! The State of Minnesota offers a comprehensive benefits package including low cost medical and dental insurance, employer paid life insurance, short and long term disability, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, retirement plan, tax-deferred compensation, generous vacation and sick leave, and 11 paid holidays each year.

Our differences make us stronger and leveraging them helps us create a workforce where everyone can thrive. The State of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at our workplace. We do this by developing strong leaders and advocates, increasing cultural competence and understanding among all employees, and removing institutional barriers and attitudes that prevent employees from advancing as far as their talents will take them. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), marital status, familial status, receipt of public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, or age.

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637.

For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact

If you have questions about the position, contact Michele Lamm at michele.lamm@state.mn.us


AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Minnesota is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employer. We are committed to providing culturally responsive services to all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. Please indicate what assistance you need.

Location Apple Valley, Minnesota
Expires 2021-11-10
Link https://mnzoo.org/us/job-opportunities/
MAEE Partner Minnesota Zoological Garden
Nature Preschool Teacher and Director
  • Full Time
Minnesota Zoo
Location: Apple Valley, Minnesota
Expires: 2021-11-10
Link: https://mnzoo.org/us/job-opportunities/
MAEE Partner: Minnesota Zoological Garden
Job Description:

Nature Preschool Teacher and Director 

  • Closing Date: 11/12/2021
  • Hiring Agency: Minnesota Zoological Garden / Zoological Gardens-MMA
  • Salary Range: $23.17 - $33.64/hourly; $48,378 - $70,240/annually

Job Summary

This position is responsible for developing and launching a new nature-based preschool that meets the developmental needs of young children and aligns with the mission of the Minnesota Zoo. The incumbent will design the overall program structure and develop a rich emergent child-centered curriculum based on current research and best practices in nature-based early learning. The incumbent is responsible for achieving initial program licensure and eventual accreditation, managing recruitment and enrollment, acquiring program and classroom supplies, developing parent resources, training preschool staff, facilitating family events, and acting as the lead teacher. This position will manage the daily operations of the preschool and cultivate a culture of continuous improvement by integrating a robust program evaluation protocol to ensure a high-quality learning experience for all students.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Design, develop, and direct a new nature preschool program that meets the Zoo’s mission and revenue goals and utilizes nature as the organizing principle and primary venue for all learning
  • Lead, supervise, and direct personnel so that staff are skilled and available as needed; programs are staffed correctly to meet objectives, deadlines and stay within budget; collective bargaining agreements, policies and procedures and all employment laws and regulations are implemented and enforced; and all employees and applicants receive equitable treatment.
  • Serve as lead instructor and train and mentor other preschool staff to ensure a high-quality inclusive learning environment that meets the unique needs of diverse early learners
  • Manage student recruitment and enrollment, initial launch, and ongoing operations of the preschool to ensure an inclusive, safe, and seamless experience for all participating families
  • Design, plan and implement limited scaled toddler and preschool programs to meet goals as outlined by the Education department
  • Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the smooth functioning of the department and maintain the reputation of the organization as a viable business partner

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education, Elementary Education, Environmental Education, or related field
  • Current license in Elementary Education with a pre-primary specialty (for working with children three years old and older)
  • Experience teaching children 3-5 years old
  • Experience in environmental education and familiarity with Emergent, Reggio, Inquiry Learning, Place-based, or similar educational pedagogies sufficient to develop a custom nature-based preschool curriculum specific to the Zoo mission, site, and unique resources.
  • Experience training teaching staff
  • Knowledge and understanding of the Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers as set forth by the State of Minnesota Department of Human Services sufficient to apply for, achieve, and maintain licensure
  • Knowledge of children’s physical, emotional, and developmental patterns and needs and the ability to implement and share that knowledge.
  • Ability to assess student learning and development and discern when enrolled children may need special education or medical services.
  • Culturally competent interpersonal skills sufficient to promote an inclusive work and learning environment that meets the needs of a diversity of ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic, and linguistic backgrounds and physical and mental abilities.
  • Oral and written communication skills sufficient to prepare and deliver reports and presentations for both practitioner and lay audiences.
  • Computer skills using business software applications such as Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams sufficient to collect, query and analyze data and prepare emails, procedures, reports, and presentations for varied audiences
  • Current First Aid/CPR (including child) certification or willingness to obtain within 6 months

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience developing a licensed preschool program including experience with preschool operations, data, budget, and facility management.
  • Experience starting a new nature-based preschool program, achieving program licensure and accreditation, developing curriculum, and creating operational protocols
  • Documented experience in risk assessment
  • Experience with program evaluation and research
  • Experience working at a Zoo, nature center, or other similar nature-based organization
  • Awareness of, sensitivity towards, and empathy with animals, their needs and their purpose on the earth sufficient to promote the Zoo’s mission and Animal Welfare principles
  • Knowledge of Minnesota Parent Aware program sufficient to achieve and maintain a 4-star rating.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the standards for accreditation set by the NAEYC sufficient to develop a program and successfully apply for accreditation.
  • Passion for the natural world

Physical Requirements

  • Flexible availability including weekdays, evenings, and weekends as necessary
  • Ability to work outside in a variety of weather conditions and temperatures in all Minnesota seasons.
  • Ability or willingness to handle a variety of animals including amphibians, mammals, invertebrates, and reptiles.
  • Ability to lift and move up to fifty pounds and set up equipment.
  • Ability to stand for long periods of time and walk long distances on uneven terrain
  • Ability to carry and use two-way portable radios to communicate with all zoo staff
  • Ability to sit at a desk and operate a computer for 6-8 hours per day
  • Ability to work in an environment that includes both indoor and outdoor workspaces year-round, with moderate noise generated by office and air handling equipment

Additional Requirements

This position requires successful completion of the following:

  • Employment verification checks, criminal background checks, child protection check and driver's license check

Application Details

Why Work For Us

GREAT BENEFITS PACKAGE! The State of Minnesota offers a comprehensive benefits package including low cost medical and dental insurance, employer paid life insurance, short and long term disability, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, retirement plan, tax-deferred compensation, generous vacation and sick leave, and 11 paid holidays each year.

Our differences make us stronger and leveraging them helps us create a workforce where everyone can thrive. The State of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at our workplace. We do this by developing strong leaders and advocates, increasing cultural competence and understanding among all employees, and removing institutional barriers and attitudes that prevent employees from advancing as far as their talents will take them. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), marital status, familial status, receipt of public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, or age.

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637.

For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact

If you have questions about the position, contact Michele Lamm at michele.lamm@state.mn.us


AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Minnesota is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employer. We are committed to providing culturally responsive services to all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. Please indicate what assistance you need.

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