Head Coach – Unified Sports (Highland High School)

Highland High School

Highland High School is seeking a passionate and committed individual to serve as the Head Coach for Unified Sports. This position plays an important role in promoting inclusion, teamwork, personal development, and sportsmanship by leading teams composed of students with and without intellectual disabilities.

The Head Coach will coach multiple Unified Sports during the school year. Assigned sports may include soccer, basketball, track and field, flag football, dance, or other Unified activities. The coach will not necessarily be responsible for every Unified sport offered. Specific assignments will be determined by the school based on program needs, student participation, and the coach’s experience and availability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous high school coaching experience is preferred but not required.
• Experience working with students with intellectual disabilities.
• Experience working with high school students in an athletic, educational, or mentorship capacity.
• Ability to support participants with a wide range of abilities and experience levels.
• Strong organizational, communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
• Commitment to creating an inclusive, respectful, and positive environment for all participants.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop assigned Unified Sports programs throughout the school year.
• Foster meaningful participation and positive relationships among students with and without intellectual disabilities.
• Plan and conduct practices, activities, competitions, and team events for assigned sports.
• Adapt instruction and activities to support participants with varying abilities and needs.
• Promote inclusion, teamwork, sportsmanship, school pride, and personal development.
• Recruit and support student-athletes and Unified partners.
• Communicate effectively with students, families, school administrators, staff members, and the Athletic Director.
• Collaborate with Special Olympics Utah and other community partners, as applicable.
• Supervise participants and maintain a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment.
• Comply with all school, Salt Lake City School District, and Special Olympics Utah policies, procedures, and training requirements.

Coaching Stipend (Coaching Days)

Compensation for this position will be calculated using the coaching-day structure established by the Written Agreement. The number of coaching days assigned will be based on the Unified sports and seasons the coach is appointed to lead.

• Current teachers: Compensation is calculated using the teacher’s daily rate of pay multiplied by the number of assigned coaching days.
• Non-teachers and first-time coaches: Compensation is calculated using the District coaching daily rate multiplied by the number of assigned coaching days.

Unified Sports coaches receive their coaching stipend in two payments:

• One-half of the stipend is paid in December.
• The remaining half is paid in June.

Payment is contingent upon the coach completing all required trainings, employment requirements, and assigned coaching responsibilities.

Required Certifications and Trainings

Unified Sports coaches are not required to complete or upload certifications through Aktivate. However, the selected candidate must complete and maintain the following requirements before beginning coaching responsibilities:

• Compliance with all applicable Special Olympics Utah registration, screening, certification, and training requirements.
• Current concussion training.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification.
• Required SLCSD Vector trainings, including FERPA/Student Privacy training.
• Any additional school or District employment and coaching requirements.

The coach is responsible for maintaining all required certifications and completing annual or recurring trainings by the established deadlines.

Background Check

A criminal background check must be successfully completed before working with students.

Contact Information

For questions regarding the position, assigned sports, coaching stipend, or required certifications and trainings, please contact Highland High School Athletic Director Swede Robinson at swede.robinson@slcschools.org.

The coach is responsible for maintaining all required certifications and completing annual or recurring trainings by the established deadlines.