Early Childhood and Afterschool Coordinator

Adult Correction; North Carolina; On-site; USD 36,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Zoo, part of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, seeks a Zoo Educator (S) to design and deliver Pre-K–2 educational programs, onsite and offsite, with a focus on STEM and inquiry-based learning.

You will supervise seasonal staff, coordinate partnerships with schools, and develop standards-aligned curricula, supporting school and afterschool programs and CES initiatives while promoting conservation education.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field.
• Experience designing curriculum aligned with standards, including STEM.
• Experience with preschool–2nd grade (4–8 years old).
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or training staff, interns, volunteers or educators.
• Excellent communication and partnership-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the research, development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of early childhood (Pre-K-2) educational programs, including onsite and offsite school programs, self-guided learning experiences, afterschool programming, virtual learning opportunities, and summer library and preschool camps.
• Coordinate educational partnerships and program logistics by scheduling school and afterschool programs, supporting homeschool events, maintaining educational offerings in state and regional databases, collaborating with schools and community organizations, and incorporating feedback from the Teacher Advisory Council to continuously improve programs and resources.
• Support ambassador animal programming by training, handling, presenting, and assisting with the care, behavioral observation, and welfare of education animals while ensuring positive learning experiences for students and guests.
• Supervise, mentor, and train seasonal staff, fellows, interns, and volunteers by developing training materials, coaching educators, evaluating performance, scheduling staff, serving as Educator on Duty, and ensuring safe, engaging, and high‑quality educational programming.
• Promote and support the Zoo's education and conservation mission by collaborating with Zoo departments, developing promotional and digital content, assisting with CES initiatives, and creating programs that inspire conservation action through place-based learning and evidence‑based educational practices.

Skills

Curriculum design

STEM education

Partnership development

Staff supervision

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education or related field

Job description

Agency

Dept of Natural and Cultural Resources

Division

Zoological Park

Job Classification Title

Zoo Educator (S)

Position Number

65044219

Grade

NC06

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) enriches people's lives through education and stewardship of North Carolina's natural and cultural resources. DNCR manages over 100 locations across the state, including historic sites, museums, state parks, trails, aquariums, the North Carolina Zoo, the Library of North Carolina, the State Archives, the North Carolina Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. These programs and places unite North Carolinians, create a shared identity, and provide common ground. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.

Description of Work

Join the North Carolina Zoo during an exciting period of growth as we prepare for the opening of Asia! The North Carolina Zoo is seeking to hire an Early Childhood and Afterschool Coordinator. This role researches, designs, coordinates, delivers, and evaluates the North Carolina Zoo's early childhood (Pre-K-2) school programs, including onsite and offsite experiences, self‑guided learning, afterschool programs, and support for summer library programs and Pre‑K camps. It includes developing standards‑aligned curricula, instructional resources, and teaching strategies that support the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's Standard Course of Study and the educational goals of schools and afterschool organizations, with an emphasis on STEM education.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the research, development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of early childhood (Pre-K-2) educational programs, including onsite and offsite school programs, self‑guided learning experiences, afterschool programming, virtual learning opportunities, and summer library and preschool camps. Develop standards‑aligned curriculum, instructional resources, and conservation education experiences that support the North Carolina Standard Course of Study and promote STEM learning.
• Coordinate educational partnerships and program logistics by scheduling school and afterschool programs, supporting homeschool events, maintaining educational offerings in state and regional databases, collaborating with schools and community organizations, and incorporating feedback from the Teacher Advisory Council to continuously improve programs and resources.
• Support ambassador animal programming by training, handling, presenting, and assisting with the care, behavioral observation, and welfare of education animals while ensuring positive learning experiences for students and guests.
• Supervise, mentor, and train seasonal staff, fellows, interns, and volunteers by developing training materials, coaching educators, evaluating performance, scheduling staff, serving as Educator on Duty, and ensuring safe, engaging, and high‑quality educational programming.
• Promote and support the Zoo's education and conservation mission by collaborating with Zoo departments, developing promotional and digital content, assisting with Conservation, Education, and Science (CES) initiatives, and creating programs that inspire conservation action through place-based learning and evidence‑based educational practices.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Please note: Job postings close at 11:59:59 p.m. the night before the listed Posting End Date above.

Recruitment Range: $35,596 - $48,945

Candidates meet the minimum qualifications of this position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. Vacancy specific knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) and/or management preferences are not required.

Applicants who possess the following are preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Environmental Education, Biology, Wildlife Science, Natural Resources, or a closely related field.
• Experience designing curriculum and instructional resources aligned with state or national education standards, including STEM and inquiry-based learning.
• Experience working with children in preschool - 2nd grade (4 - 8 years old),
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or training staff, interns, volunteers, or educators, with demonstrated leadership and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and partnership-building skills, with experience collaborating with schools, community organisati