Cross Country Assistant Coach

POSITION:            Assistant Cross Country Coach

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Assistant Coach supports the Head Coach in all aspects of the assigned sport program. This includes assisting with instruction, supervision, logistics, compliance with WIAA and district regulations, and contributing to a safe and inclusive team environment that reflects the values of leadership, sportsmanship, and excellence.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

An employee hired for this assignment may perform all or some of the responsibilities defined below:

• Teach the fundamentals of Cross Country
• Support the Head Coach in planning and conducting practices, contests, and team events
• Teach appreciation for rules and regulations, care of equipment and facilities, fair play, respect for others, personal hygiene and safety to athletes
• Reflect enthusiasm for the program and participants in order to make it a worthwhile endeavor for athletes, coaches, parents and community members
• Hold necessary practices to prepare athletes
• Follow school, district and WIAA rules and regulations
• Provide appropriate supervision for athletes before, during, and after all team activities, including but not limited to; practices, contests, and team events
• Must remain present until all students have safely departed or have been released to a parent/guardian
• Maintain documentation to fulfill state and district requirements concerning physical examinations, parental consent and eligibility
• Monitor and ensure scholastic eligibility of athletes
• Collaborate with middle school programs to support the continuity of skills, plays, and the overall sport
• Participate in the budgeting functions with Head Coach for activities and operate within budget appropriations
• Continually update techniques and skills through course work and clinics
• Conduct self in an ethical manner during practices and contests
• Model and require sportsmanlike conduct and ethical behavior from athletes
• Utilize appropriate District-approved channels of communication to ensure compliance with public records requirements

The preceding list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.

Each of the coaches at the specific school serves as one unit of the whole team, and as such, is subject to assignment to tasks in other areas within the program.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of: fundamentals of the sport, practice organization, rules, safety and contest management; technical strategies for diverse learning styles; equity, inclusion and culturally responsive coaching; district programs and procedures; basic computer skills including, but not limited to; e-mail, internet, etc.

Ability to: perform first aid and/or CPR; organize and demonstrate skills to athletes; motivate a variety of individual personalities toward a successful and positive experience; encourage and recognize positive conduct; maintain and adhere to high levels of confidentiality; maintain compliance with all district equity and inclusiveness provisions; maintain positive team management and athlete engagement techniques; adapt coaching to meet diverse learning needs; read and follow written and verbal instructions, as well as communicate clearly in both verbal and written communications; work variable hours as requested/needed; work alone or in a team setting; maintain good rapport with students, parents, staff, and the public; be dependable and flexible

MENTAL DEMANDS

• Required to deal with a wide range of behaviors and needs in a positive and service-oriented manner
• May experience shifts in work schedule and/or work site according to district needs
• Sustain mental awareness while also maintaining attention to details and safety requirements
• May occasionally deal with distraught or difficult people

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Sit, walk, and/or stand for extended periods of time
• Amount of sitting, standing and walking may vary depending on projects/tasks. Generally, the job requires 50% standing, 40% walking, and 10% sitting
• The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, sit, stand, walk, bend at neck and back, twist body, use hands to push/pull and lift/carry, squat, kneel, stoop, and crouch. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Appropriate certification as determined by WIAA, the state and the district
• Previous successful cross country coaching experience preferred
• Substantial knowledge of the technical aspects of cross country and an interest to examine new theories and procedures
• Current first aid/CPR card required
• Must have access to a reliable form of transportation
• Possess valid WA driver license, satisfactory driving record, and willingness to obtain district-provided Type II driver training for the purpose of transporting students when required

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Placement on the Cheney Coaches Association Salary Schedule
• Season-based; temporary position

CLEARANCES

WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance

EVALUATION

The Assistant Coach shall be evaluated each season by the Athletic Director and/or designee to the currently established Cheney Coaches Association evaluation criteria. The process shall include an evaluation of the employee’s performance of the above essential job functions.

CONTINUING EDUCATION/TRAINING

• Must complete school safety training within thirty (30) calendar days from hire date and annually thereafter
• Must acquire and maintain CPR/First Aid card within the first week of hire and as scheduled thereafter
• Attend designated trainings as specified by supervisor and/or department director in order to maintain knowledge/skills
• Submit current/renewed licenses to Human Resources upon attaining

HISTORY

Job description and format updated: February 2026

Cheney Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, economic status, pregnancy, familial status, marital status, disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions: Title IX/Chapter 28A.640 Officer/Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator/ADA Coordinator - Brett Hale, Assistant Superintendent, Cheney School District, 12414 S. Andrus Rd. Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: (509) 559-4550; Section 504 Coordinator - Franklin Day, Director of Student Support Services, Cheney School District, 12414 S. Andrus Rd., Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: (509) 559-4507.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER    

Salary : $3,782 - $6,121