Academic Director - Fall 2026

Discovery Ranch; Mapleton (UT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid holidays

PTO accrual

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Revenue sharing

Performance bonuses

Free meals while working

Outdoor gear discounts

Job summary

Discovery Ranch, a residential treatment center for adolescent males in Utah, seeks an experienced Academic Director to set the vision and oversee the Academic Department across our campus. Lead teachers and tutors to provide a positive, high-quality educational experience aligned with treatment objectives.

You will collaborate with other departments to ensure consistency, manage hiring and training, evaluate curriculum, and drive school improvement.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (required).
• 2 years professional teaching experience.
• Able to pass criminal background check.
• Able to pass motor vehicle record check.
• Thorough understanding of graduation requirements, IEPs, and 504s.
• Current Utah driver’s license (within 30 days of employment).
• Must provide contact information for 3 professional references.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and supervise Academic Department
• Create strategic goals aligned with program vision
• Collaborate with other department Directors
• Ensure compliance with licensing and accreditation standards
• Assess teacher/student culture to maintain a safe, healthy environment
• Oversee hiring, training, and certifications of academic staff
• Participate in weekly Leadership and Departmental meetings
• Ensure curriculum is appropriate, effective, and up to date
• Develop/improve curriculum as needed
• Ensure effective classroom management
• Build relationships with parents, Educational Consultants, and referring professionals
• Manage teacher and tutor schedules and verify hours reporting
• Create and manage academic department work schedules
• Implement and evaluate an ongoing school improvement plan

Education

Master’s degree

2 years professional teaching experience

Criminal background check clearance

Motor vehicle record check clearance

Graduation requirements, IEPs, and 504s knowledge

Utah driver’s license (within 30 days)

3 professional references

Job description

Through relationships and experiences we develop identity, discover success, and thrive.

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Full-time | $60-70,000 + bonuses DOE | M-F 12-8 with flexibility | Benefits

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Discovery Ranch is a residential treatment center for adolescent males located on a 20+ acre campus in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. We are looking for an experienced teacher and administrator to join our leadership team as our Academic Director.

As our Academic Director, you will set the vision for, oversee, and manage the Academic Department across our beautiful campus. You will ensure our students have a positive, quality educational experience through effectively managing a team of dedicated teachers and tutors. You will also work collectively with the other departments to ensure the consistency and alignment of both treatment and academic objectives. With your leadership, experience, and genuine care for our students, Discovery Ranch will continue to meet our program vision and provide the best care and experience possible to our students and their families.

Duties include:

• Lead, manage, and supervise Academic Department
• Create strategic goals that are in alignment with program vision
• Collaborate and communicate with other department Directors
• Ensure compliance with all licensing and accreditation standards
• Continually assess teacher/student culture to ensure a safe, healthy environment
• Oversee hiring, training, and certifications of academic staff
• Participate in weekly Leadership and Departmental meetings
• Ensure that the curriculum is appropriate, effective, and up to date
• Develop/improve curriculum as needed
• Ensure appropriate, effective classroom management
• Develop trusting relationships with parents, Educational Consultants, and other referring professionals
• Manage teacher and tutor schedules and ensure that hours are reported correctly
• Create and manage work schedules of Academic Department
• Implement and evaluate an on-going school improvement plan

Please note: your resume should include education, work experience, certifications, and licenses

• Master’s degree
• 2 years professional teaching experience
• Able to pass criminal investigation background check
• Able to pass motor vehicle record check
• Thorough understanding of graduation requirements, IEP’s, and 504’s.
• Current Utah driver’s license (within 30 days of employment)
• Must provide contact information for 3 professional references

Preferred

• 2 years administrative and supervisory experience
• 2 years teaching experience with a secondary teaching certificate
• Special Education Endorsement

Candidates with both a master’s degree and education administration experience eligible for starting salary of $63,000 plus bonuses

• Health, dental, vision, accident, critical illness, and other insurance plans available for full-time employees after probationary period
• Employer contributions to Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Eligible for revenue sharing
• Eligible for additional performance bonuses
• PTO accrual
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Bonus Program
• Free meals while working
• Significant discounts for hundreds of professional outdoor gear brands, including an ExpertVoice account
• Beautiful, dynamic, and vast work environment: 22 acres of gorgeous, landscaped ranch with diverse houses, school classrooms, a gym, horses, and baby calves
• A few hours from Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, the Grand Canyon, and Lake Powell
• A few hours from many world-class ski resorts