Head Coach - Cross Country/Track & Field 83680

Published: 6/14/2022

Education

Job Description

Founded in 1986, St. Charles Community College (SCC) has a reputation as one of the best two-year colleges in the state of Missouri. SCC's service area includes a six-county region with a population exceeding 540,000. SCC's main campus, located in Cottleville, has won architectural awards for its innovative, contemporary design. The college's Dardenne Creek Campus features the Center for Healthy Living and the Field to Table Institute. The Innovation West Campus located in Wentzville features the Regional Workforce Innovation Center. With a focus on innovation, St. Charles Community College is a leader in delivering high-quality education in a state-of-the-art learning environment. The success of SCC is rooted in the mission of serving the community. "Through academic excellence and industry partnership, we cultivate the talent, innovation, and leadership our students and community need to grow and succeed."

The Track & Field/Cross Country Head Coach is responsible for the overall leadership, organization, administration, recruiting, training, and development of the St. Charles Community College men's and women's cross country and track & field programs.

The Head Coach will provide a positive and competitive student-athlete experience while promoting academic achievement, personal development, sportsmanship, student-athlete welfare, and compliance with all St. Charles Community College, NJCAA, Region 16, and applicable conference policies and procedures.

The successful candidate will be expected to recruit and retain qualified student-athletes, develop a competitive program, supervise assistant and volunteer coaches, manage day-to-day program operations, and represent St. Charles Community College Athletics professionally within the college and community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Coaching and Program Leadership

Provide leadership and direction for all aspects of the men's and women's cross country and track & field programs.
Plan, organize, and conduct practices, workouts, strength and conditioning sessions, and competition preparation.
Develop seasonal training plans for cross country, indoor track when applicable, and outdoor track & field.
Provide appropriate event-specific instruction for sprints, hurdles, distance, jumps, throws, relays, and other events based on staff expertise.
Develop student-athletes physically, mentally, academically, and personally.
Establish and enforce team expectations related to attendance, effort, discipline, conduct, sportsmanship, and accountability.
Promote a positive team culture consistent with the mission and values of St. Charles Community College.
Provide appropriate supervision during practices, competitions, travel, and other team activities.

Recruiting and Roster Development

Recruit qualified student-athletes for both the men's and women's programs.
Develop and maintain relationships with high school coaches, club coaches, prospective student-athletes, families, and community organizations.
Identify prospective student-athletes throughout Missouri and surrounding areas while expanding recruiting efforts when appropriate.
Communicate consistently with prospective student-athletes throughout the recruiting, admissions, financial aid, and enrollment processes.
Work collaboratively with Admissions, Financial Aid, Academic Advising, and other college departments to assist prospective student-athletes.
Maintain accurate recruiting records and prospect lists.
Build and maintain competitive roster numbers in cross country and track & field.
Recruit student-athletes who demonstrate the academic ability, character, and athletic potential to succeed at SCC.

Student-Athlete Academic Success

Monitor the academic progress, enrollment status, and class attendance of student-athletes.
Promote satisfactory academic progress and NJCAA eligibility.
Encourage student-athletes to complete degrees, certificates, or transfer requirements.
Work collaboratively with faculty, academic advisors, tutoring services, and Athletics administration when academic concerns arise.
Assist student-athletes interested in transferring and continuing their athletic careers at four-year institutions.
Promote the importance of academics as a central component of the student-athlete experience.

NJCAA and Institutional Compliance

Maintain knowledge of and comply with all applicable NJCAA, Region 16, institutional, and departmental rules and regulations.
Work with Athletics administration to ensure student-athlete eligibility requirements are completed before participation.
Maintain accurate rosters and required compliance documentation.
Complete all NJCAA, Region 16, and institutional forms and reports by established deadlines.
Immediately report potential eligibility or compliance concerns to the Director of Athletics.
Ensure assistant coaches, volunteers, and student-athletes understand and follow applicable rules and expectations.

Meet Scheduling and Competition Management

Develop cross country and track & field competition schedules in consultation with the Director of Athletics.
Schedule competition opportunities appropriate to the competitive level and development of the program.
Coordinate meet entries and ensure all entries are completed accurately and on time.
Coordinate transportation, lodging, meals, departure times, and other team travel arrangements as required.
Communicate schedules and schedule changes promptly to student-athletes, staff, and Athletics administration.
Assist with the planning and administration of home meets or hosted events when applicable.
Ensure student-athletes are appropriately supervised during all team travel and competition.

Budget and Equipment Management

Manage the program within the budget established by the Athletics Department.
Submit purchasing requests and required documentation in accordance with college procedures.
Maintain appropriate records of program-related expenditures.
Assist with ordering uniforms, apparel, equipment, and supplies.
Maintain an accurate inventory of uniforms, equipment, and college-owned property.
Ensure equipment is properly maintained, stored, and secured.
Coordinate requests for track & field equipment, training equipment, and facility needs with the Director of Athletics.
Obtain appropriate approval before creating financial obligations on behalf of the college.

Staff Supervision

Assist the Director of Athletics in identifying and recommending qualified assistant and volunteer coaches.
Provide leadership, assignments, and supervision to assistant coaches and volunteers.
Develop a coaching staff capable of supporting multiple track & field event groups.
Ensure all coaches complete required employment, volunteer, compliance, background-check, safety, and institutional procedures before working with student-athletes.
Conduct regular communication with coaching staff regarding recruiting, training, student-athlete development, safety, and program expectations.

Student-Athlete Health and Safety

Make student-athlete health, safety, and welfare a priority in all program decisions.
Work closely with athletic training and medical personnel regarding injuries and return-to-participation decisions.
Ensure appropriate warm-up, conditioning, training progression, recovery, and safety procedures are followed.
Follow established emergency action procedures during practices and competition.
Monitor environmental conditions, including heat, cold, severe weather, and other potential safety concerns.
Ensure injured student-athletes do not return to participation contrary to medical guidance.
Maintain appropriate supervision of student-athletes during practices and use of athletic facilities.

Fundraising and Community Engagement

Support Athletics Department fundraising, sponsorship, and community-engagement initiatives.
Develop appropriate fundraising opportunities for the cross country and track & field programs with institutional approval.
Build positive relationships with alumni, supporters, local businesses, community organizations, high schools, and prospective donors.
Participate in college and Athletics Department events as requested.
Promote the programs and St. Charles Community College positively throughout the community.

Communication and Administration

Maintain regular communication with the Director of Athletics regarding program operations.
Attend Athletics Department, Region 16, NJCAA, and institutional meetings as required.
Submit rosters, eligibility information, schedules, travel requests, purchasing requests, recruiting information, statistics, and other reports by established deadlines.
Work collaboratively with Sports Information, Admissions, Financial Aid, Student Services, Facilities, Campus Police, Athletic Training, and other college departments.
Assist with maintaining accurate team records and student-athlete information.
Provide requested information for Athletics communications, social media, website updates, and promotional materials.
Respond to departmental communications in a timely and professional manner.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
Previous coaching experience in cross country and/or track & field.
Knowledge of track & field and cross-country training principles, competition rules, and safety practices.
Demonstrated ability to recruit, motivate, develop, and supervise student-athletes.
Strong communication, leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work effectively with students from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to work evenings and weekends and travel for competitions and recruiting activities.
Ability to successfully complete required background checks and institutional training.
Valid driver's license and ability to meet college transportation requirements when applicable.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
Previous collegiate coaching experience.
Experience coaching multiple track & field event groups.
Previous recruiting experience.
Experience working within an NJCAA, NCAA, NAIA, or community college athletic program.
Knowledge of NJCAA rules and eligibility requirements.
Experience developing student-athletes for transfer to four-year institutions.
CPR/AED and First Aid certification.

Preferred Coaching Experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas is desirable:

Cross country and distance events
Sprints and relays
Hurdles
Long jump and triple jump
High jump
Pole vault
Shot put
Discus
Hammer
Javelin
Strength and conditioning

The Head Coach is not required to personally coach every event group but must demonstrate the ability to organize and supervise a complete track & field program and effectively utilize assistant and volunteer coaches.

Physical Requirements

The position may require standing, walking, running, demonstrating athletic movements, lifting and moving athletic equipment, and working in indoor and outdoor environments under varying weather conditions.

The position also requires the ability to travel with student-athletes and work extended hours during practices and competitions.

Reasonable accommodations may be provided in accordance with applicable law.

Additional Responsibilities

The Track & Field/Cross Country Head Coach will perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Athletics and will support the overall goals, operations, and mission of the St. Charles Community College Athletics Department.

**Will be subject to a criminal background check.

St Charles Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer