Academic Director - Fall 2026

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Accident insurance

Critical illness insurance

HSA employer contributions

Free meals while working

Revenue sharing

Performance bonuses

PTO accrual

Paid Holidays

Employee Referral Bonus Program

Discounts on outdoor gear

Job summary

Discovery Ranch in the United States seeks an Academic Director to lead the Academic Department across the campus. You will set the vision for education, oversee teachers and tutors, and partner with other departments to align treatment and academics.

With a Master’s degree and teaching experience, you will hire, train, and evaluate staff, ensure compliance with graduation requirements, IEPs, and 504 plans, and drive continuous improvement of curricula in a dynamic residential setting.

Qualifications

• 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

Responsibilities

• 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

Skills

Leadership

Educational administration

Curriculum development

Team management

Education

Master's degree

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