Education and Curriculum Manager

Come join Children’s Fairyland as our Education and Curriculum Manager to support our Education & Community Engagement Team in continuing to create an inclusive community oasis where the magic, joy and transformative power of stories and play are unlocked for generations of children and families.  Our 71-year-young local institution is seeking an energetic candidate who can work collaboratively with our Senior Director of Education and Community Engagement to ensure our ambitious strategic plan goals can be achieved!

The Fairyland Education and Curriculum Manager will be responsible for developing and leading Fairyland’s interdisciplinary and culturally responsive education programs with a focus on storytelling, imaginative play, and hands-on experiences. Reporting to the Senior Director of Education & Community Engagement, this role shapes how parents/caregivers, teachers and young children use Fairyland as an informal learning space to enhance literacy skills, develop social emotional skills, gain exposure to performing arts and the natural world, and learn through the power of play. This position also plays a crucial role in contributing to the success of enhancing educational activities through parkwide events.  

COVID-19 Update:  In an effort to keep our visitors, staff, volunteers, and communities safe, Fairyland has adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. In accordance with state and federal laws, Fairyland will consider all qualified applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation from our vaccination policy based on a medical condition or sincerely held religious belief.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree required in education, early childhood development, or a related area, and/or equivalent experience. 
• At least three (3) years of relevant work experience in an educational setting
• At least two (2) years of successful experience in administrative work.
• At least two (2) years’ experience managing at least two (2) direct reports
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace suites. 
• Extensive knowledge of educational technology and comfort learning new online learning platforms and processes and able to adapt to new systems quickly.
• Ability to work on multiple projects at the same time and able to thoroughly follow-through and be a reliable team member.
• Initiate and bring creative ideas to the table.
• Passion for teaching and supporting the whole child, especially in the areas of literacy, science, creativity, and social/emotional development. Must have a great rapport with kids.
• Extremely strong communication skills including writing ability and verbal communication with adults, including in person, over the phone, and via email.
• A high level of compassion for both children and adults and an abiding commitment to social justice and equity.
• Strong organization, problem solving, and time management skills.
• Able to work independently and collaboratively.
• Knowledge of the Oakland and/or greater San Francisco Bay Area schools and youth centers.
• Collegial, with a sense of humor and whimsy.
• Possess a clear background history with no barriers to working with children
• Possess current valid California Driver’s License with an insurable driving record

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional studies or training in early childhood education or teaching credential is desirable.
• Bilingual in Spanish a plus

Personal Attributes/Values

• People-orientation - able to interact effectively, politely, and productively with all types of people from all types of backgrounds and experience and in all types of situations. Comfortable working with non-English speaking and culturally diverse stakeholders
• Professional maturity to manage composure during stressful interactions
• Energetic, diplomatic, adaptable and with a good sense of humor
• Passionate about the mission, vision, and goals of Fairyland and possesses an understanding of how this position contributes to the organization’s success
• Strong work ethic with an orientation toward process improvement
• Impeccable integrity and honesty

Physical Requirements

This position is primarily located in an outdoor environment.  Able to perform the following duties with or without accommodation:

• Stand, sit, kneel, walk, bend, and perform repetitive motions for the duration of an eight (8) hour shift
• Traverse safely over uneven terrain throughout the entirety of the 10-acre amusement park 
• Safely lift and transport items of up to 50 lbs. 
• See and respond quickly to situations
• Communicate in clear, loud voice 
• Operate two-radio for communications with park personnel
• Work in outdoor, seasonal weather conditions for 100% of shift
• Ability to work on weekends and holidays
• Proven track record of punctuality and attendance
• Current COVID-19 Requirements
• Ability to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination prior to start of employment;

Benefits & Compensation

This is a regular, full-time, non-exempt position scheduled 40 hours per week and the non-negotiable rate of pay is $34.25 per hour.

Full-time employees are eligible to participate in benefits the first of the month following 60 days of service. Benefits include:

• Medical: Fairyland pays 100% for employees and 50% for dependent children for our base Kaiser plan with options to buy up to Gold and Platinum plans. 
• Dental: 100% premium coverage for employees and 50% for dependent children on SunLife PPO. 
• Vision: 100% premium coverage for employees on VSP. Eligible dependents may be added to the vision plan.
• Paid Time Off (PTO):  In the first year, new full-time team members accrue ten (10) PTO days, ten (10) sick days, and six (6) paid holidays including Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day,  and three (3) floating holidays! 
• Retirement:  All eligible team members can participate in the 401k plan upon hire.
• Employee membership program: Team members receive their choice of two (2) adult memberships and three (3) named children OR  six (6) guest passes annually to enjoy the park with their families and friends.
• Employee discounts:  Discounts on merchandise in the park’s gift shop and a 20% discount at our Café. 
• Fairyland parking pass:  Working at Fairyland means you don’t pay for parking! We provide designated passes for our staff.

How to join Team Fairyland

To apply for a position with Fairyland, please complete the application here. Due to the size of our operations, we are unable to take phone inquiries about positions.

Children's Fairyland fully and actively supports equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Our commitment applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. We see candidates with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, community building, and meaningful connection with a broad range of people and institutions.

About Fairyland

Featured in the Wall Street Journal’s travel section on unique places to visit in Oakland and touted by BuzzFeed as “The Most Amazing Place to take Kids” in California, Children’s Fairyland is the first storybook theme park in America! In 1950, a group of visionary Oaklanders partnered with the city’s park superintendent and garnered support from enthusiastic citizens to build the outdoor 10-acre theme park on the shores of Lake Merritt in the heart of Oakland. Visited by Walt Disney as he was conceptualizing Disneyland, Fairyland has inspired many other fairytale-themed parks across the United States. Over 220,000 visitors enjoy Fairyland’s many activities and programs annually, and through our outreach program, free or reduced admission is offered to over 16,000 children and families every year. Fairyland operates 362 of 365 days a year, weather permitting.

Salary : $34