Who We Are

Zero Dropouts is dedicated to designing innovative student development opportunities in collaboration with school districts, communities, and students. Our mission is to co-create solutions that recognize, foster, and unleash students’ unrealized potential so that their lives are transformed as they thrive in their education and work.

What We Believe

Our foundational beliefs guide every aspect of our work:

We Believe Mysteries are Opportunities

We are inspired to solve the deeply complex mysteries that face our world. Our innovative approach drives us to uncover hidden truths and create tailored solutions that address the unique challenges of our clients and communities.

We Believe in Anti-Deficit Ideology

Anti-deficit ideology focuses on recognizing and valuing the strengths, abilities, and potential of individuals and communities, rather than highlighting their shortcomings or deficiencies.

We Believe in a Sociocultural Model for Learning

People develop knowledge and skills through an active learning process that encourages interactions with teachers, peers, and their communities. We meet people where they are in their learning journeys, centering their experiences and identities in the process to foster both independent learning and collaboration.

We Believe in a ‘Power With’ Approach to Relationships

We use a ‘power with’ approach that emphasizes collaboration, mutual support, and collective empowerment in our relationships with youth, partners, and each other. Instead of hierarchical or competitive dynamics, it focuses on sharing power, fostering partnerships, and working together to achieve common goals.

We Believe Organizations are Living Systems

We believe that organizations and groups operate as dynamic living systems. This perspective emphasizes interdependence and collaboration, fostering resilience and adaptability. By nurturing supportive relationships and collective growth, we create conditions and environments where all members can thrive.

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Who You Are

You are a relational, systems-oriented leader who believes young people learn best through real-world experiences and strong community. You bring a calm, curious presence, an anti-deficit mindset, and a commitment to designing programs with people, not for them. You balance big-picture vision with operational follow-through, and you thrive in environments where you can build, iterate, and collaborate to make meaningful learning possible.

Purpose of Position

The Director of Field Academy leads Zero Dropouts’ experiential learning service line, ensuring high-quality delivery of credit-bearing programs. This role combines program leadership, partnership development, contract acquisition, and systems alignment to position Field Academy as a high-value offering within ZD’s ecosystem. The Director also collaborates with executive leadership and design teams to evolve Field Academy models into scalable products and integrations across ZD programs and district partnerships.

Core Responsibilities 

Lead Field Academy as a ZD Service Line (DBA)

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of Field Academy programs offered through ZD—including experiential credit recovery, homeschool enrichment, work-based learning programs, and spring break and summer school programming.
• Adapt Field Academy delivery models (micro-campuses, mobile boot camps, enrichment modules) to align with the needs of district, homeschool, and community partners.
• Ensure Field Academy programming meets all accreditation, crediting, and compliance requirements.
• Monitor and manage ongoing accreditation processes (reviews, reporting cycles, quality checks) and homeschool enrichment funding requirements.

Program Implementation, Quality, & Credit Integrity

• Manage the implementation and quality of Field Academy programming across multiple sites and partner organizations.
• Coordinate with schools and districts to ensure all credits earned through Field Academy are accurately documented, awarded, and transcribed in accordance with district and state requirements.
• Provide coaching, support, and leadership for Program Administrators, instructors, experiential facilitators, and e-Teachers.

Partnership Development & Contract Acquisition

• Identify, cultivate, and secure contracts with districts, homeschool networks, community organizations, and other partners for Field Academy programming.
• Work with Executive leadership to develop scopes of work, pricing structures, and contract terms aligned to ZD’s strategic and financial priorities.
• Serve as the primary liaison for partners implementing Field Academy, ensuring strong relationships and responsive communication.
• Work with district registrars, counselors, and administrators to establish and maintain clear processes for transcripting Field Academy credits.
• Explore, pursue, and secure new and alternative funding streams to expand Field Academy services and sustainability.

Collaboration With ZD Executive Leadership & Design Teams

• Collaborate closely with the Executive Team to evolve Field Academy offerings as part of ZD’s service ecosystem.
• Participate in design teams to adapt Field Academy into new products and integrations—including credit-bearing modules for PASS, experiential units that complement GED pathways, homeschool enrichment experiences, and standalone Field Academy programs.
• Contribute practitioner expertise to prototyping, improvement cycles, and development of scalable, elegant systems.

Cross-Organizational Coordination & Systems Alignment

• Work with Shared Services (data, enrollment, finance, communications, compliance) to ensure streamlined operations, accurate reporting, and alignment with ZD systems.
• Ensure Field Academy operational processes fit within ZD-wide structures and support organization-wide coherence.
• Ensure accurate reporting of credit attainment, enrollment, attendance, October Count documentation, and homeschool enrichment requirements.
• Use data to inform decision-making, communicate progress to partners, and refine Field Academy design and operations.
• Participate in ZD planning, developmental evaluation, and continuous improvement routines.

Operational & Risk Management

• Maintain compliance with safety and risk protocols for experiential and off-site learning.
• Monitor operational needs (staffing, scheduling, materials, transportation coordination, facilities use) and collaborate with ZD teams to address gaps.
• Partner with compliance and legal supports to ensure audit readiness and effective risk mitigation.

Leadership

• Lead with a principled approach, aligning decisions and actions with Zero Dropouts’ foundational beliefs, purpose, and priorities
• Act as a nodal leader, understanding the interconnected nature of the work and adapting processes to support collective progress and resilience.

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of experience in education, youth development, experiential learning, or alternative pathways.
• Experience supervising educators, coordinators, or program staff.
• Demonstrated success implementing or managing nontraditional or experiential learning programs.
• Strong knowledge of crediting, assessment, or competency-based learning systems.
• Experience building and managing relationships with schools, districts, or community partners.
• Commitment to ZD’s Foundational Beliefs, anti-deficit ideology, and sociocultural models of learning.

Preferred

• Experience with Colorado crediting requirements, accreditation processes, homeschool enrichment programs, and October Count.
• Knowledge of work-based learning, project-based learning, or experiential instructional models.
• Experience with contract negotiation or program development with districts.
• Comfort with data systems, dashboards, and developmental evaluation practices.
• Experience leading multi-site programs or service lines.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Please submit your application materials through our website .

COMPENSATION: This is an exempt position Starting at $70,000/year.

BENEFITS: Company 401(k) plan with Employer Contribution Match, Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage, Paid Time Off (Sick Time, Holidays, Flexible Vacation), Life Insurance; Not PERA eligible.