Swim Team Senior Coach

The Parks & Recreation Department is looking for a Swim Team Coach to help develop and educate the McHenry Marlins Aquatics Swim Team for youth ages 6 – 18 years old!

This position is responsible for nurturing the development and swim mechanics in participants while providing a safe and controlled environment. Coaches are also responsible for conducting practices, motivating students, representing the team at meets, and instructing student athletes in game strategies and techniques. This position reports to the Athletics & Aquatics Supervisor. 

DECISION MAKING AND JUDGEMENT

• Organize and directs small group practice activities/exercises as directed by the head coach
• Assesses swimmer’s skills, monitors students during competition and practice, and keeps the head coach informed of the athletic performance of students
• Ability to handle and resolve conflicts between participants
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with program participants and parents
• Be responsible for maintaining order and discipline within assigned group
• Be prepared to discuss with a parent any experience a child has during program
• Supervise volunteers while they are working, assist other staff, and follow/enforce policies set forth by supervisor

ADMINISTRATIVE

• Models sports-like behavior and maintains appropriate conduct towards students, officials, and spectators
• Will be at your program area and set up 15 minutes prior to start of scheduled activities
• Keep program areas clean, neat, and organized to optimize customer satisfaction
• Distributes equipment, supplies, and uniforms to students as directed by head coach
• Maintain inventories and report any equipment problems or needs to the head coach
• Report any incidents to the head coach
• Assists head coach with submitting a list of award winners at end of the season and providing constructive feedback to help improve overall value of program
• Ability to attend regular scheduled program events, trainings and additional meetings as needed
• Perform support tasks such as distributing and maintaining eligibility forms, emergency data, and other records
• Submit attendance rosters, timesheets, and evaluations to head coach in a timely manner
• No outside or private training may occur with program participants that is not at our authorized facility and operated directly through the McHenry Parks & Recreation department.

SUPERVISION

• Maintains order and safety in swimming areas
• Always assists in enforcing club and pool policies
• Keep accurate count of children in program and at competitions
• Accountable for set-up and take-down of equipment for practices, meets, and swim team events
• Models nondiscriminatory practices in all activities

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to swim or demonstrate the competitive strokes of front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly
• Understanding of competitive swimming terminology and ability to explain to coaches and parents
• Ability to multi-task and handle high pressure situations in loud environments
• Must be motivated and able to implement oral and written instructions
• Must be able to communicate respectfully and effectively with supervisor, co-workers, parents, and children ages 6-18
• Must be physically able to lift a child (if necessary)
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds
• Must be able to evaluate situations and make decisions within established policies and standards
• Requires frequent lifting and moving of equipment and supplies
• Must be able to participate in activities
• Knowledge and physical ability to respond in emergency situations
• Candidate must be energetic, outgoing, and interested in being a positive role model to young children
• Candidate must possess strong oral and interpersonal communication skills
• Candidate must possess ability to be flexible and adjust to changing work environment
• Candidate must possess creativity, initiative, and willingness to learn and implement new ideas
• Candidate must be trained and certified in First Aid and CPR

ACCURACY

• Requires accurate record keeping for programs

PARTICIPANT SAFETY

• Review and understand all emergency drills and be prepared to implement them
• Requires considerable attention and alertness to safety hazards
• Must be able to take on a leadership role in matters of safety

PRINCIPLE ACTIVITIES:

• Fill in at various positions when there are personnel shortages, vacations, or special projects
• Other related duties as assigned and perform all duties in a respectful and responsible manner
• Maintains necessary records
• Adheres to all policies and procedures

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• At least 2 years experience with a competitive swim team in a volunteer, coach, or participant aspect
• Prefer one or more years of college in a related field (i.e. recreation, child development, sports management, physical education, etc.)
• Current lifeguard certification, USA swimming certification, and Red Cross Safety Training for Coaches or ability to obtain within first month of employment
• First Aid, CPR, and AED certification current or obtained before season
• Must be an example of good moral behavior
• Desire to work with children and parents on a daily basis
• Willingness to project the City of McHenry image by personal adherence to all policies
• Demonstrate the ability to interpret and administer all policies, established by the City of McHenry Parks & Recreation department, to all employees and volunteers you may come in contact with