The Learning Zone Assistant Director provides leadership and coordination for the daily operations of the Learning Zone’s academic and enrichment programs. This role assists the Director of Education in overseeing program delivery, staff supervision, compliance with licensing and funding requirements, and family engagement initiatives. The Assistant Director ensures the effective administration of both school-year and summer programs, promotes academic success and student well-being, and upholds the mission and values of The Salvation Army through high-quality educational and community-based programming.

• Oversee and guide the staff within the Learning Zone after-school program concerning the day-to-day needs and operations of the centers.
• Have direct supervision and responsibility for children when appropriate, attending to their physical needs within the center and ensuring their safety.
• Maintain good working relationships with all parents and staff, which include assisting teachers with scheduling, conferences with parents, conducting annual staff reviews with the assistance of the Director of Education, and conducting monthly staff meetings with Learning Zone personnel.
• Maintain a safe, non-judgmental and consistent environment within the Learning Zone and maintain a spiritual emphasis throughout the program.
• Ensure constant licensing compliance in accordance with the regulations established by the State of Ohio, including ensuring maintenance of all staff and student files and monitoring staff training, and ensuring that student/teacher ratios are always kept within the center.
• Ensure proper compliance with expenditures and record keeping as required by contracted funding sources including Knox County Department of Job and Family Services, Child and Adult Food Programs (CACFP), Early Childhood Education Grant (ECE), and the Ohio Department of Education.

• Monitor ongoing programmatic needs of students’ academic progress, assessments and school grade reports through conducting regular assessments.

• Develop and maintain good community relationships through attendance at appropriate business meetings and conferences.
• Market the programs and assist with planning and improving programs. Recruit and enroll children to the program, including interviewing all parents of prospective students and working with the Director of Education to properly enroll students according to policies established by state licensing agent.
• Work with the Social service Directors to offer possible services and connect families in need with community resources.
• Ensure that accurate records are kept concerning attendance, child progress, and other information that may be required for reports and that monthly statistics are completed, compiled, and reported.
• Provide required reports and statistical information for The Salvation Army and all other funding agencies.
• Ensure proper billing, receiving, and receipting of payments by parents for The Learning Zone services provided in accordance with Salvation Army accounting policies.
• Assist in establishing, maintaining, and implementing Learning Zone scholarship and discount policies.
• Assist in the preparation of all funding proposals as related to The Learning Zone.
• Assist in the preparation of the annual budget.
• Coordinate with the Learning Lighthouse Assistant Director for assistance with supervision needs including lunch breaks, call-offs, before-school care, and other emergency needs when needed.
• Develop programs that allow the Learning Zone to open for care during the day when Mount Vernon City School District is closed.
• Assist Learning Zone families to receive additional outside assistance by coordinating with Knox County agencies and community partners to help meet their families’ needs.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise volunteers and ensure accurate documentation is kept on file per licensing requirements.
• Correspond with respective staff to ensure all supplies are stocked and ordered.
• Create and maintain a staff schedule to ensure proper student/teacher ratio.
• Assist Human Resources with posting, interviewing, and hiring decisions within The Learning Zone.
• Ensure that a yearly calendar is given to each of the families that have students’ programs including holiday closing and scheduled family nights prior to the start of the school year.

• Provide support to staff and conduct necessary evaluations. 

• Schedule and attend monthly meetings with Corps Officers.

• Coordinate with the Director of Education in areas of public relations, media, press releases, and grant proposals.
• Communicate ongoing important matters to Director of Education.
• Work occasional weekend hours.
• Drive for program if necessary.

• All other relevant duties as assigned by the Corps Officer and/or Director of Education.

MINIMUM EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE. 

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education and experience.
• State of Ohio Teaching License/Certification with a minimum of 3 years’ experience preferred.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and appropriate intervention skills are required.
• Strong knowledge of available educational resources required.
• Relative experience in a classroom setting or in a setting involving work with children.
• Experience in staff supervision          
• Valid Ohio Driver’s License.