Position Title: Athletic Coach (Head / Assistant)

Reports To: Athletic Director (Head Coach) / Head Coach (Assistant Coach)
FLSA Status: Exempt / Stipended

General Summary

The Athletic Coach oversees the health, well-being, and holistic development of student-athletes. This position provides expert instructional guidance in the rules and execution of the applicable sport while ensuring strict enforcement of all District, League, and Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) rules and guidelines.

Stipend level is based on the individual sport as well as prior, sport-specific paid coaching experience. Salary schedule is available on the District website at www.vashonsd.org/Departments/Human Resources

Essential Functions

Under the general supervision of the Athletic Director, the Coach performs some or all of the following duties:

Student-Athlete Development & Mentorship

Student-Athlete Development & Mentorship

Holistic Growth: Works intentionally to develop student-athletes, enhancing both their educational and athletic skills.
Academic Motivation: Inspires students to pursue excellence in both academics and athletics to better themselves.
Character & Sportsmanship: Promotes respectful, sportsmanlike behavior at all times; establishes and oversees clear penalties for any breach of these standards by individual students.
Equity & Inclusivity: Fosters a diverse, equitable, and inclusive team culture where all student-athletes feel safe, valued, and respected regardless of race, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic status, or athletic ability.
Equitable Access: Advocates for and ensures fair and equitable treatment, access, and athletic opportunities for all program participants, actively working to identify and eliminate barriers to participation.
Anti-Discrimination & Compliance: Proactively prevents, addresses, and reports any forms of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, or exclusion within the athletic program, in strict alignment with District equity policies and Title IX guidelines.

Program Management & Compliance

District Alignment: Develops and executes the district plan for the specific sports activity, providing strong and appropriate leadership.
Regulatory Compliance: Maintains comprehensive knowledge of, and complies with, all applicable District, League, and WIAA rules and regulations.
Eligibility Monitoring: Actively monitors student-athletes' compliance with school and league academic/eligibility rules.
Budget & Inventory: Works responsibly within the established program budget. The Head Coach is strictly responsible for a full, accurate end-of-season equipment inventory and procurement requests.
Staff Evaluation: The Head Coach provides formal input and feedback regarding the performance evaluations of assistant coaching staff.

Safety & Supervision

Direct Supervision: Assumes full responsibility for the direct supervision of student-athletes during all phases of practices, travel, and competitive events.
Safety Training: Properly trains athletes in correct techniques to ensure a safe, competitive, and successful athletic experience.
Risk Management: Proactively maintains the safety of all program participants and facility environments.

Communication & Collaboration

Stakeholder Engagement: Establishes and maintains open, successful lines of communication and professional relationships with middle and/or high school athletes, coaching staff, school administration, parents, and the community.
Professional Conduct: Displays appropriate, positive behavior and speech at all times when representing the District.
Facility Coordination: Coordinates cooperatively with fellow coaching staff regarding facility usage, scheduling, and overall District sports programming.
Summer Programs: Upon mutual agreement with the District, and with School Board approval, the scope of duties may include leading a school-sponsored summer camp program in strict compliance with WIAA Summer Activities regulations.

Cognitive & Physical Demands

Cognitive Demands: Requires exceptional organization, time management, and deep concentration despite frequent interruptions. Demands high adaptability and flexibility to collaborate with diverse student populations, staff, parents, and community members. Requires effective, fast-paced decision-making, problem-solving, substantial emotional self-discipline, and the ability to professionally handle difficult, upset, or angry individuals on occasion.
Physical Demands: Requires prolonged periods of standing, walking, or sitting. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, lift, carry, stoop, kneel, talk, hear, and physically demonstrate sport-specific mechanics where appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications

Age Requirements: Minimum of 21 years of age for Head Coaches; minimum of 19 years of age for Assistant Coaches. (Note: High School students may serve as assistant coaches at the middle school level only under the direct, continuous supervision of the head middle-level coach).
Certifications: Hold a valid, current First Aid/CPR/AED card (or be currently enrolled in an approved certification class at the time of hire).
Sport Expertise: Demonstrated technical working knowledge and tactical understanding of the applicable sport.
Experience: Prior coaching experience in a scholastic or highly structured competitive environment is strongly preferred.
Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrated interest in, and a proven track record of working well with, secondary-school-aged students, academic staff, and community stakeholders.

Pre-Employment & Continuous Compliance Requirements

Background Clearance: Must successfully pass a Washington State Patrol (WSP) background check and federal fingerprinting clearance prior to official employment.
Onboarding: Must complete the mandatory District Coach Orientation program prior to the formal issuance of an employment contract.
WIAA Certification: Must fully comply with continuous coaching standards and continuing education requirements as determined by the WIAA Coaching Standards Program.
Alternative Credentials: Such alternative and/or additional requirements as the School Board and District administration may find appropriate and acceptable.

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