The Puppet Education Specialist is responsible for supporting Fairyland’s puppet education programs and delivering hands-on workshops and park experiences to children ages 2-9 years old. The hands-on workshops and experiences are designed to expose young children to puppetry through dramatic plays and fun interactions. The Specialist will travel to local learning communities and deliver programs off-site. The Specialist will also assist with curriculum development during non-program hours. Teaching responsibilities include facilitating, acting and other performance skills, manipulating a variety of puppets, and ensuring a safe, respectful and fun environment. In addition to being highly energetic and sociable, the ideal candidate will have 1-2 years of teaching experience in a preschool environment, possess classroom management skills and understanding of child development, have fluency in Spanish or training as a multilingual educator (worked with English learners), and basic theatrical abilities such as singing, dancing, and acting.

This is a temporary position from November 2025 to April 2026.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Puppet Program Delivery

• Deliver hands-on puppet education experience with field trip groups and park guests. 

• Travel to off-site classrooms and educational events to deliver hands-on puppet programs 

• Evaluate classroom visits to drive curricular edits.

• Collaborate with the Puppet Education team to strengthen programmatic design, enrichment activities, and creating multiple-means for expression to expand language accessibility 

• Perform puppet shows as the supporting role occasionally for Fairyland guests in the Storybook Puppet Theater.

• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Experience with performance-based disciplines such as theater, puppetry, public speaking, and/or performance art

• 1-2 years of classroom experience in a preschool or child development center

• Bilingual in Spanish or a second language (Cantonese, Vietnamese, Arabic preferred) and is accustomed to working with children who are English learners 

• Highly energetic and sociable with experience in public speaking

• Comfortable working with basic arts and crafts supplies

• Possess a working vehicle and current auto insurance policy

Personal Attributes/Values

• People-oriented; 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 possess 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. Puppetry is a very physically demanding discipline and requires dexterity and stamina to perform.

• Traverse safely over uneven terrain throughout the entirety of the 10-acre amusement park 

• Safely lift and transport items of up to 50 lbs. 

• Respond quickly to sounds

• See and respond quickly to situations

• Communicate in a clear, loud voice 

• Operate two-radio for communications with park personnel

• Work in indoor and outdoor, seasonal weather conditions. Work is approximately 80% indoors and 20% outdoors.

• 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, part-time, non-exempt position, not to exceed 26 hours per week. The rate of pay is $25.00 per hour. After an introductory period, team members get the following benefits:  

• Family membership to Fairyland or up to six guest passes annually
• Ability to participate 401k plan savings plan
• Employer Assistance Program
• Paid Sick Leave accrues on 1st day and eligible for use after 90 days

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.