MS Unified Sports/Special Olympics Coach - Meredith

TITLE: Unified Sports/Special Olympics (Stipend) 

POSTION TYPE: Activity

STIPEND AMOUNT: $2401

HIRING SPECIFICATIONS: 

Required:

1. Current Class A Volunteer Status through Special Olympics
2. Current certificate of concussion training
3. Current coaching certification through Special Olympics for at least 3 sports (specific to the sports assigned to coach in this position)

Desired: 

 1. Experience working with students with disabilities

BASIC FUNCTION:

The mission of Special Olympics Coach is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competitions in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disability, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Know each athlete different abilities and challenges
2. Identify each athlete’s ability to develop the skills necessary for sport participation. 3.Teach and train athletes
4.Determine the training sequence needed in order for athletes to learn the skills to play the sport 5.Use effective communication skills.
6. Identify behavior challenges and effective strategies to improve learning
7. Demonstrate and reinforce good sportsmanship and respect for the sport, competition, officials, opponents, teammates, coaches, and self.
8. Commit to and reinforce athletes’ striving to do their best during training and competition
9. Provide opportunities for athletes to demonstrate self-confidence, self-sufficiency, and independence 10. Focus on rewarding efforts, positive attitudes, and goals achieved.
11. Use an individual athlete development plan and competition to measure success and identify areas for improvement
12. Manage the Program
• Define your responsibilities as a Special Olympics coach.
• Describe the range of preparations and their importance—season planning, practice planning, and developing individual athlete plans.
• Identify the importance of managing relationships—with parents, other coaches, and other volunteers involved in the program.
• Provide a safe environment, including provisions for emergencies and minor injuries.

ADDITIONAL ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (for every DMPS position):

1. Attend work on a prompt and regular basis.

2. Maintain confidentiality.

3. Maintain satisfactory and harmonious working relationships with the public, students, and other employees.

4. Assist with other duties as may be assigned

DEPARTMENT: Athletics

REPORTS TO: Athletic Director

HIGHEST LEVEL SUPERVISED: N/A

BARGAINING GROUP: N/A

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

CALENDAR: Activity Season

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Standing, Walking, Computer

WORKING CONDITIONS: Inside/Outside depnding on activity

The Des Moines Independent Community School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices.  If you have questions, concerns or a complaint related to this policy, please contact Carol Wynn-Green, 901 Walnust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309; phone: 515-242-7709; email: carol.wynngreen@dmschools.org. Complaints can also be directed to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 400 E. 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-1004, (515) 281-4121, or Region VII Office for Civil Rights, Citigroup Center 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475 Chicago, IL 60661-4544.

All candidates offered a position will be required to successfully pass a criminal background check, and a child and adult abuse registry check.  Certain positions may require fingerprinting, a drug and alcohol test, a physical capacity test and/or a motor vehicle record check. 

Approved By: Lillie Noland

Date: 5/28/2026