Assistant Area Director - Aurora, CO

Innovation Learning, LLC.•Aurora, CO

3d•$31 - $35•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Area Director (AAD) serves as a crucial link between field-level site leadership and the strategic direction provided by the Area Director. This full-time role, requiring 38 hours per week, involves a daily, hands-on presence across an assigned territory. The AAD is dedicated to ensuring that every program site delivers high-quality, developmentally appropriate experiences for all youth, with a particular focus on students requiring additional support and differentiation. A key responsibility is safeguarding the organization's state licensing infrastructure through compliance audits and ensuring all sites are consistently audit-ready. While the AAD can provide ratio coverage when operationally necessary, the primary focus is on instructional coaching, quality assurance, licensing oversight, and developing the leadership capabilities of Head Coaches within the territory.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in education, child development, human services, social work, psychology, or a related field, combined with a minimum of 2 years of experience in youth program delivery, instructional coaching, or site-level leadership in a licensed childcare or school-based setting.
Alternative: Associate degree or equivalent postsecondary coursework (minimum 60 semester credits) in education, child development, or human services, PLUS a minimum of 3 years of verifiable, progressively responsible experience in licensed childcare, after-school program leadership, or school-based youth development.
Must meet or exceed state licensing qualifications for a Site Supervisor, Director, or equivalent role.
Strong verbal and written communication skills across diverse audiences.
Deep knowledge of or strong aptitude for learning state childcare licensing regulations, compliance documentation, and audit practices.
Demonstrated experience supporting students with diverse behavioral, developmental, or social-emotional needs.
Proficiency with Microsoft platforms, payroll and scheduling tools, and digital audit or program management applications.
Strong organizational skills, attention to documentation detail, and the ability to manage multiple site priorities simultaneously.
CPR/First Aid and Medication Administration certification required.
Knowledge of state childcare licensing requirements; willingness to pursue required administrative credentials as applicable to operating jurisdiction.
Ability to travel independently and frequently to multiple school-based program sites across the assigned territory on a daily basis.
Ability to actively walk, stand, and move through dynamic school environments during multi-hour site visits and program coverage windows.
Ability to occasionally lift and transport programmatic supply bins, safety materials, or field resources weighing up to 25–30 lbs.
Visual and auditory acuity sufficient to evaluate site safety, observe staff engagement, assess environmental compliance, and maintain situational awareness in loud, fast-paced environments.
Successful completion of a comprehensive state and federal background check, including FBI fingerprinting, National Sex Offender Registry verification, and localized child abuse record clearances.
Where mandated, must successfully clear a physical health assessment, tuberculosis (TB) screening, and pass comprehensive, multi-panel drug screenings.

Nice To Haves

A passionate advocate for youth quality and equity.
A precise, compliance-oriented operator.
A patient and skilled instructional coach.
A calm, regulated professional under pressure.
Thrives in a field-based role.
Comfortable with ambiguity.
Brings both high standards and genuine warmth to every coaching interaction.

Responsibilities

Conduct systematic quality observations using organizational evaluation tools and provide specific, documented coaching feedback to Head Coaches.
Deliver real-time coaching and modeling of youth engagement strategies, behavior guidance, and transition management.
Lead quality improvement plans in partnership with the Area Director, tracking progress against measurable benchmarks.
Facilitate regional professional development sessions for Head Coaches on instructional quality and youth development best practices.
Lead differentiated support planning for students requiring individualized strategies, in collaboration with Head Coaches, families, and school staff.
Coach site teams in inclusive facilitation techniques, including proactive behavior guidance, de-escalation, and trauma-informed communication.
Serve as an escalation point for complex family concerns related to student behavior, inclusion, or developmental needs.
Track and communicate student support outcomes and trends to the Area Director.
Conduct proactive internal audits of all sites for licensing compliance, including child records, staff files, health and safety documentation, and ratio logs.
Ensure all sites maintain up-to-date licensing binders, emergency cards, staff credentialing files, and attendance documentation.
Monitor staff credentialing, training compliance, and certifications, proactively identifying and resolving gaps.
Translate regulatory updates into clear operational protocols for Head Coaches.
Serve as a secondary escalation resource for behavior incidents, medical emergencies, or safety concerns, ensuring accurate documentation and follow-up.
Provide non-routine ratio support at sites experiencing staff shortages or acute operational challenges.
Support site stability during periods of staff turnover or transitions.
Accompany or represent the Area Director in school-level partnership meetings and build professional relationships with school administrators.
Handle escalated communications from families or school partners within 24 hours.