Assistant Director Zoo School
Collaborate with a passionate Zoo Crew in San Antonio
Choosing where to grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the place you choose to work at will support and guide you. With a diversity of passionate people, San Antonio Zoo is a place where you can collaborate with others securing a future for wildlife.
The Impact You’ll Make in this Role
The Will Smith Zoo School Assistant Director works alongside the Zoo School Director to guide and nurture all parts of our nature-based preschool and early childhood programs. At the heart of this role is a commitment to creating a safe, enriching, and wonder-filled nature-based learning experience for every child.
As an Assistant Zoo School Director, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative and diverse people in San Antonio. Here, you will make an impact by:
Program Leadership & Strategic Planning
- Always exhibit a positive service-minded approach towards students, families and staff.
- Communicate with all stakeholders in a courteous and tactful manner; proactively offer assistance, directions, and information.
- Support the School’s conservation mission by collaborating with the Zoo School Director to oversee and ensure consistency with our philosophy for nature-based learning.
- Observe for and track logistical components of effective school function such as attendance, student ratio numbers, snack inventory, classroom cleaning and transportation checklists..etc.
Curriculum, Instruction, & Program Quality
- Work with the Director to ensure consistent implementation of our campus-built, nature-based curriculum.
- Ensure alignment with best practices and guidelines set by NAAEE, NAEYC, and the Natural Start Alliance.
- Support proper student assessment and ensure programs align with our school’s learning philosophy & campus mission.
Staff Leadership & Professional Development
- Assist the Director in hiring, training, collaborating with and observing early childhood instructors.
- Ensure instructional staff promote exploration, discovery, and safety in nature-based environments following campus rubrics and observation tools.
- Help oversee ongoing professional development to support best practices in nature-based early childhood education at 2 key points throughout the year and as needed for specific needs.
- Establish and maintain positive, cooperative, and effective working relationships with fellow employees.
- Provide positive leadership and support for volunteers and Education Department team members.
Family & Community Engagement
- Work with the Director to build and maintain positive relationships with families.
- Promote the importance of nature experiences and foster a strong sense of community that extends beyond the preschool years during campus and community events, at the NatStart Conference and other presentation opportunities our school is invited to.
- Continue supporting and developing our current partnerships as well as work with lead team to build new partnerships to support our own campus as well as support the nature-based community.
Compliance & Operational Integrity
- Ensure compliance with all relevant governmental and institutional regulations with a key focus on compliance with State of Texas Minimum Standards for Childcare Centers.
- Collaborate with Zoo staff to promote, improve and develop new zoo experiences for our students.
- Ensuring departmental and personal goals align with our teacher evaluation tool and campus priorities.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Consistently exhibit an attitude of service inside and outside of the Zoo, showing hospitality to all.
- Be fully committed to the mission of San Antonio Zoo to create awareness that inspires action to care for the wild world we steward and animals we protect.
Other Responsibilities:
- Performs other work-related duties as required and assigned.
Your Skills and Expertise
To set you up for success in this role from day one, the San Antonio Zoo recommends the following skills/qualifications:
- Ability to work weekends, holidays, and occasional after-hours events.
- Bachelor's Degree Childhood Education or 5+ years in early childhood leadership experience.
- Has the qualification(s) necessary to obtain a valid Child Care Center Director's Certificate from the State of Texas within 90 days of hire.
- Proven leader, skilled in creating and maintaining an ambitious, collaborative, goal-oriented and fun working environment.
- Motivated to recruit, train and develop highly qualified and enthusiastic team members.
- Strong ability to build strong relationships with all stakeholders.
- Able to express oneself clearly and concisely orally and in writing.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to work well under pressure with sound judgment.
- Strong commitment to safety, excellence and immersing young children in nature.
The San Antonio Zoo is an equal opportunity employer. San Antonio Zoo will not discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.
