Athletic Director- RHS (2026-2027 School Year)

HARRISONBURG CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION SUMMARY:

The High School Athletic Director provides leadership, coordination, and oversight for the school’s athletic and activity programs. Under the supervision of the principal, the Athletic Director is responsible for organizing and operating an effective, comprehensive athletics program that aligns with division policies, VHSL regulations, and the educational mission of the school. The Athletic Director promotes a culture of sportsmanship, equity, student engagement, and academic success while supporting coaches, student-athletes, and families. The role includes supervision of coaching staff, preparing and managing budgets,  managing facilities, scheduling contests, coordinating transportation and event operations, conducting needs assessments, developing written material for distribution to coaches, athletes, parents, and fostering positive relationships with the school community and external partners.  The High School Athletic Director frequently develops and refines their own work routine and is expected to carry assignments through to completion independently.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Possess or qualify for a Virginia Collegiate Professional license; preferred administrative endorsement, or working towards an administrative endorsement.  CPR/First Aid certified.
2. Possesses a Bachelor's Degree and at least 3 years of experience coaching a VHSL sport.
3. Experience as a teacher, administrator, athletic director, or equivalent experience, with accompanying coaching experience at the secondary level, is preferred.
4. Knowledge of VHSL regulations and Title IX as it relates to public school athletics.  
5. Ability to effectively manage several tasks simultaneously, using organizational, managerial, and leadership skills.
6. Proficiency in public speaking and written communication to express and/or exchange ideas. Ability to conduct a meeting with internal and external stakeholders.
7. Leadership qualities and personal characteristics necessary for working effectively with students, teachers, parents, administrators, and the community, such as creating a vision, communication, dependability, accountability, and integrity.
8. Experience working directly with individuals and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
9. Experience working with diverse learning needs and with students who may benefit from alternative learning models is preferred.
10. Familiarity with racial equity and inclusion frameworks.
11. Emotionally mature, objective, and sensitive to people and their concerns. Able to handle responsibility, problem-solving, creative and forward-thinking, work independently, and maintain collaborative working relationships with students, families, administration, co-workers, and community agencies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (This list should be considered as a reference of typical responsibilities, but is not an exhaustive list of all tasks that may be assigned by the building principal.)

1. Ensure compliance with the rules of the Virginia High School League and the Regional and District councils.
2. Represent the school in the district, regional, and state VHSL meetings as requested.
3. Assist with local, district, region, and state events/functions as required.
4. Attend professional meetings with the members of the athletic department.
5. Serves as a director for district, region, and state interscholastic activities and championships; organizes, schedules, and conducts recognition programs and assemblies for athletic programs; serves as the liaison to the Parent Booster groups.
6. Maintains the main athletic calendar for school and community use; coordinates athletic fundraisers and concessions; coordinates logistical aspects of planned events by school administration; coordinates the use of school athletic showcases, social media, and family communications.
7. Prepares and certifies all interscholastic eligibility and develops the school's main eligibility list for the Virginia High School League.
8. Schedules student athletic physicals and is responsible for maintaining documents/records.
9. Maintains an inventory of uniforms, medical supplies, and equipment for all interscholastic activities.
10. Secures and schedules transportation for all athletic activities and prepares necessary documents.
11. Submits required documentation for athletic events, including but not limited to game schedules, police, and officials, gate receipts, ticket inventory, and control sheets, interscholastic inventory and budgets, and explores opportunities for fundraising to support the school's athletics program needs.
12. Coordinates staffing and manages the operation of all home activities and events.  Staffing includes: support personnel, security, game officials, and custodial support; coordinates ground services for field preparations.
13. Establishes and maintains crowd control procedures for all home events to ensure the proper enjoyment and safety of all spectators and participants.
14. Attend home and away games, meets, and contests, as arranged with the principal.
15. Promotes sportsmanship within all confines of all school activities and athletic programs.
16. Prepares and issues coaches' handbooks; schedules and conducts coaching orientation by sport seasons.
17. Schedules and conducts preseason interscholastic meetings with athletes and parents.
18. Assists in the development of athletics handbook/planners, organizing and distributing athletic team pictures, and processing of all contracts between athletic organizations and organizations outside the school.
19. Monitor and assess student-athlete achievement and participation outcomes with appropriate data collection and analysis.
20. Oversee the school athletic awards process.
21. Serves on special committees and attends work sessions involving the continued growth and improvement of the holistic athletic program.
22. Serve as a liaison between the high school and middle school athletic programs.
23. Ensure equity among athletic programs.
24. Coordinate the operation of school clubs.
25. Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, materials, and facilities.
26. Follows appropriate safety procedures and is responsible for the care, maintenance, and storage of all athletic equipment. 
27. Regularly inspect all department facilities and grounds to ensure compliance with all applicable codes and regulations.
28. Assist school administrators in the selection of athletic coaching personnel for the high school as requested.
29. Manages all VHSL-related positions at the school; supervises and advises coaches; conducts coaches' meetings to explain local and state rules and regulations.
30. Assist the administration in the evaluation of the coaching staff.
31. Maintain confidentiality in all matters.
32. Maintain appropriate state licensure; assumes responsibility for and participates in staff development (professional growth) and training to keep materials, supplies, and skills up-to-date.
33. Respond to telephone, email, and in-person requests, inquiries, and questions in a professional, polite, and responsive manner.
34. Demonstrate good attendance and punctuality.
35. Models professional, moral, and ethical standards as well as personal integrity in all interactions, including non-discriminatory and cultural inclusion practices in all activities by respecting the worth, dignity, and individual beliefs of others, and monitors the school’s VHSL activities to ensure Title IX compliance. 
36. Complies with and supports school division policies, regulations, and procedures.
37. Performs other duties as assigned by the principal.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Light work, lifting up to 25 pounds occasionally, and/or up-to 10 pounds frequently.  Regular travel throughout the school and effectively interact with students, staff, and community members.  Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work and observing general surroundings and activities; and subject to inside and outside environmental conditions.  Regular contact with staff members is required.  Not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

EVALUATION:

The performance will be evaluated in accordance with school board policy and administrative regulations on the evaluation of licensed personnel.

The above is intended to describe the essential functions and requirements for the performance of this position.  It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and meet the demands of this position.

Salary : $93,666 - $132,084