SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: Under direction of Superintendent or designee provides support for school-based and central office staff who plan, monitor, and provide direct oversight and supervision of system-wide interscholastic and intermural athletic programs at all grade levels. Designs, implements and communicates the roles and responsibilities of the coaching staff including the required trainings to ensure the effective supervision of students participating in the interscholastic and intermural athletics; implements procedures and monitoring protocols to track academic eligibility and support the care, social emotional and physical well-being of student participants; demonstrates a deep understanding and application of school system policies and regulations and local, state and national laws protecting student from child abuse and other harmful behaviors.
The role of an athletic director is to manage all facets of the athletic program, including scheduling, hiring and evaluating coaches, promoting programs and events, ordering equipment, constructing budgets, and facilitating operations. The Athletic Director will connect with parent groups and local organizations and will fundraise and supervise sports personnel. Will provide guidance to coaches and mentorship to student-athletes when needed. The Athletic Director will resolve administrative issues and work closely with individual coaches to ensure there are no scheduling conflicts with shared spaces, equipment, workout rooms, or with game and practice days, etc.
The Director of Athletics will keep track of school system policies, communicate and engage with college/university athletic coaches, college admission offices, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) when appropriate, and collaborate with local athletic directors to coordinate schedules, etc. In addition, the Athletic Director will oversee mediation between student-athletes and coaches and will assist in conflict resolution if issues arise. The Athletic Director also work with school administrators or compliance officers to ensure that student-athletes maintain their academic eligibility to play their chosen sport.
As a liaison with college recruiters, leagues, and directors, the Athletic Director plays a crucial role for school officials, teams, and players. The Athletic Director develops a successful athletic program while adapting to day-to-day challenges with focus, flexibility, and passion.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Thorough knowledge of the EHPS policies and procedures dealing with student athletics and thorough knowledge of Title I of the Education Amendments of 1972. Ability to organize and manage a comprehensive athletics program meeting the expectations of today. Knowledge of federal, state and local laws and regulations governing interscholastic athletics. Some of the most important skills are:

• Excellent communication skills to communicate both verbally and written with those who are involved in the program. A successful athletic director realizes that communicating with students differs greatly from communicating with coaches, administration, and peers.
• A strong judge of character. Since an athletic director hires coaches and others within the program, recognizing the strengths of an individual beyond those on their resume is a necessary skill.
• Leadership abilities to inspire and bring people together; lead the sports program, and motivate others to work together.
• Problem-solving skills to make tough decisions regarding the allocation of funds and resources. To make their program thrive, directors need to think and work creatively to activate resourceful project management skills.
• Lead as role models for students to live a healthy lifestyle and show that the exemplary qualities that make a superb athlete also make a good person.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EPERIENCE: A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with course work in administration, management, and supervision of a comprehensive athletics program. Experience as an educator and/or athletics administrator preferred. Experience implementing local, state, and federal policies and regulations. Experience leading committees and preparing/implementing large meetings. Experience working with outside organizations and stakeholders, including officiating associations, municipal facility directors, local civic and municipal athletic associations, etc. The Superintendent may consider other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position.

CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Meets CT state certification requirements for administrator and supervisor or Administrator (092).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (Special requirements such as lifting heavy objects and frequent climbing.) As required by the duties and responsibilities of the job.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to work flexible hours including some evening, weekend work 12 months of the year

EVALUATION: Performance of this position will be evaluated annually by the Superintendent aligned with CT
Requirements.

OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: No

EAMPLES OF PERFORMANCE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and implement required system-wide training and report the participation data for all coaching staff.
• Establish and communicate safety protocols and procedures to ensure the direct supervision of all student participants.
• Integrates all EHPS policies and local, state, and national laws in trainings to ensure staff know and comply with procedures to maintain student safety.
• Establish and implement academic programs to support academic eligibility and support students with meeting or exceeding academic accountability measures.
• Leads the hiring of coaches; serves as the primary supervisor and evaluator for coaches and other athletic department staff.
• Analyze and report data on the attendance, participation, academic performance of student athletes.
• Analyze and report data on all paid and volunteer coaches at both the middle and high school levels.
• Collaborate with school-based and central services administrators to identify and resolve personnel or facility issues that impact the program or safety of students.
• Provide a forum for athletes to provide input and feedback on matters that relate to identified needs and interests and identify programs and solutions with matters impacting their teams.
• Set expectations and procedures for monitoring the professionalism of coaches and sportsman-like conduct of student athletes; ensures that spectators adhere to appropriate guidelines
• Directs revisions of program standards, regulations and policies.
• Assists in preparing responses for the superintendent on athletics-related matters.
• Assists schools, including principals in solving issues at the local school level.
• Maintains archives and presents season summaries regarding records, championship teams, and coaches.
  Provides intensive and well-balanced opportunities for student participation in interscholastic athletics on the middle school and high school level.
• Oversees and supervises the scheduling of systemwide athletic contests and analyzes programs and costs.
• Analyzes and summarizes student participation numbers by season, sport, gender, sport and level.
• Monitors and implements systemwide safety programs and initiatives, including systemwide wrestling weight certification, concussion summaries, etc.
• Oversees and verifies the certification and compliance of coaches, and other athletic department personnel to ensure all staff meets EHPS and other necessary requirements.
• Works collaboratively with multiple offices and schools to monitor, and implement the afterschool safety and supervision plan, consistent with EHPS policies and procedures.
• Provides recommendations for continuing, expanding, or deleting various activities.
• Keeps abreast of local, state, and national literature/developments in order to affect changes in operation as necessitated by changes in society, business, education, etc.
• Serves as the technological leader of the total interscholastic athletics program, keeping abreast of changes/developments in technology; in order to affect changes in the operation of the interscholastic athletics program, including on-line registration of student-athletes, coaches¿ certification and compliance, and social media applications.
• Utilizes and monitors social media applications, websites, software programs, and technological resources to promote the athletics program and effectively communicate with all stakeholders across the program.
• Monitors systemwide equity, including gender equity to maximize the success and participation of all students.
• Markets, advertises, and monitors implementation of new programs.
• Organizes/conducts annual middle school and high school athletics summer workshops.
• Oversees the revision and/or updates to the athletic handbook.
• Monitors compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and policies for athletics.
• Prepares and manages annual budgets and submits annual reports.
• Manages multiple financial accounts.
• Schedules, prepares, and administers many meetings, including monthly athletic meetings, pre- and post-season coaches’ meetings, student-athlete leadership council meetings, and annual principal’s meetings.
• Prepares annual financial report for the Superintendent.
• Assumes various roles to assist the state athletic association with initiatives and operations.
• Serves on various local and state committees or task forces.
• Serves as a liaison between EHPS and EH Parks, and Recreation Department.
• Works with municipal administrators in securing public facilities, including swimming pools and golf courses as needed.
• Assists in selecting appropriate materials, supplies, and equipment.
• Manages many persons, including sport directors, tournament directors, and multiple stipend personnel, who assist in implementation of the interscholastic athletics program.
• Provides input on the construction and/or renovation of Athletic facilities.
• Works collaboratively with various offices and departments to oversee the construction and maintenance of artificial turf and natural grass fields.
• Works with others in monitoring program safety and security.
• Adjudicates eligibility matters.
• Purchases and coordinates awards for championship teams.

Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.