HEAD STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

VALPARAISO HIGH SCHOOL

The Valparaiso High School (VHS) Head Strength and Conditioning Coach is responsible for establishing and maintaining a top-tier strength and conditioning program for all sports, with the three major goals: (1) improving athletic performance, (2) reducing athletic injuries, and (3) teaching lifelong fitness and movement skills. The Strength and Conditioning Coach devises training plans according to sound scientific principles, supervises training sessions, evaluates student-athletes, maintains student-athlete training records, and leads/augments strength and conditioning sessions before, during and after school. The Strength and Conditioning Coach meets regularly with coaches to determine student-athlete/team goals and progress. If working with an injured student-athlete engaged in rehabilitation, the Strength and Conditioning Coach will consult with the athletic training staff to administer appropriate programming. The Strength and Conditioning Coach is responsible for maintaining the strength and conditioning facility, and for establishing guidance, plans, and procedures for the safe and professional operation of the facility.

Background: VHS Athletics is a top-caliber public high school sports program with 900 student-athletes among its ~2000 students. A member of the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and the Duneland Athletic Conference (DAC), the “Vikings” have captured 29 state championships, 25 state runner-up finishes, and 64 individual state championships. In 2019, VHS opened a new, state-of-the-art sports performance training facility within the school. The 8000 sqft performance lab is outfitted with 15 modular racks, 25 yards of turf, multiple dumbbell racks, several multi-purpose machines, cardio machines, and more.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• A current relevant professional certification credentialed by an independent accreditation agency; strongly preferred NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) certification.
• Current standard first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and automated external defibrillation (AED) certifications.
• A strong working knowledge and teaching skills in analysis/techniques of strength, speed, conditioning, agility, etc. training across multiple boys and girls sports.
• Experience and expertise in strength and conditioning programming as well as speed and agility programming for high school populations.
• Strong motivational abilities with student athletes and collaboration skills with coaches/colleagues.
• Evidence of ability to interact positively with student-athletes, coaches, colleagues, and the public; positive representation of VHS Athletics
• Evidence of effective organizational skills and use of relevant technology
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as VCS/VHS Administration may find appropriate and acceptable.

Responsibilities:

• Organize, establish, and optimize a strength and conditioning program for all sports
• Provide leadership and instruction to athletic coaches and physical education teachers in the use of the performance lab equipment and training of students.
• Supervise, coach, and lead team training sessions focused on enhancing relevant skills and abilities including strength, conditioning, speed, agility, mobility, etc.
• Serve as the District expert in strength and conditioning, speed and agility, training, and injury prevention for student-athletes.
• Develop systems for tracking student-athlete progress in conjunction with sport coaches.
• Complete a semi-annual proposal for the Director of Athletics that includes routine maintenance, equipment needs, and any other needs within the performance lab.
• Work in collaboration with coaching staffs and the physical education department to promote well-rounded, multi-faceted student-athletes.
• Facilitate a collaborative relationship among sport coaches, athletic trainers, and physical education staff.
• Motivate and encourage student-athletes to participate in the VHS off-season, pre-season, and in-season training programs appropriate for their sport and their goals.
• Develop and implement appropriate rules and guidance for the performance lab during the school day as well as during training times.
• Effectively communicate with student-athletes, coaches, parents, teachers, trainers, support staff, administrators and other stakeholders within the community.
• Complete National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) classes, as required.
• Maintain high standards as a leader and coach, while advocating the mission and pillars of Valparaiso Community Schools.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned by the Athletic Director.

Salary Range: $67,000 - $76,000

Terms: Full-time, Year-round position