High School Assistant Coach-Girls Soccer
Position Summary
The High School Assistant Coach is responsible for supporting the Head Coach in instructing, mentoring, and developing student-athletes in grades 9-12. This role involves assisting with daily practice execution, managing game-day logistics, and ensuring strict adherence to school and NJSIAA regulations. Ultimately, the Assistant Coach works collaboratively to reinforce a disciplined, inclusive team culture that prioritizes academic success, sportsmanship, and character development both on and off the field.
Qualifications & Educational Requirements
NJSIAA Coaching Requirements:
- CPR/AED / Basic First Aid Certification: Valid CPR/AED and Basic First Aid certification required. Fully online CPR certifications are not accepted; a hands-on skills assessment is required. Must be a certification course approved by the Department of Education (DOE).
- NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching: Mandatory completion prior to first employment as a coach.
- Annual NFHS Training Requirements: NFHS Concussion in Sports Course, NFHS Heat Illness Prevention Course, NFHS Sudden Cardiac Arrest Course.
- One-Time NFHS Training Requirements: NFHS Implicit Bias Course, BeNice Program.
Department of Education (DOE) Certification Requirements:
Public school coaches must hold at least one of the following official credentials in addition to satisfying all preceding NJSIAA requirements: NJ Teaching Certification or NJ Instructional Substitute Credential (requires a minimum of 30 college credits).
Pre-Employment Clearance Requirements:
- Background Check: Successful completion of a criminal history background check (N.J.S.A 18A:6-7.1).
- Medical Fitness: Proof of physical health adequate to fulfill job functions (N.J.A.C. 6A:32-6.2).
- Tuberculosis Test: Passing results on the state-required Mantoux Tuberculin Test (N.J.A.C. 6A:32-6.3).
Working Conditions
- Flexible Hours: Requires non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends, for practices, travel, and games.
- Stipend Expectations: Game attendance occurs outside regular school hours and is fully covered by the stipend; no additional hourly compensation is provided.
- Professional Conduct: Requires maintaining the highest level of ethical and professional behavior across all athletic environments and interactions.
Duties & Responsibilities
Daily Execution:
- Assist the Head Coach with the daily operations and execution of practices, games, and tournaments.
- Comply fully with federal laws, NJ Department of Education guidelines, NJSIAA regulations, and iLearn policies.
- Reinforce program safety by ensuring only athletes cleared by the school nurse and/or Athletic Trainer participate in practices and games.
- Assist the Head Coach in distributing, tracking, and collecting uniforms to ensure they are returned undamaged.
- Participate in and support program-specific fundraising activities as directed by the Head Coach.
- Follow school emergency protocols, participate in safety drills, and maintain a safe environment for all student-athletes.
- Travel with the team on school-provided transportation to all away competitions, assisting the Head Coach in supervising student-athletes until they are safely picked up or returned to campus.
- Assist the Head Coach with off-season conditioning workouts and support youth clinic outreach events to build program interest.
- Attend scheduled league, conference, or county coaches' meetings only when designated by the Head Coach or Athletic Director.
Team Coordination:
- Collaborate with the Head Coach to run high-quality practices focused on skill development, conditioning, and sportsmanship.
- Reinforce and execute the competitive strategies, game plans, and training regimens established by the Head Coach.
- Help coordinate team transportation needs and communicate logistics as assigned by the Head Coach.
- Maintain continuous, direct supervision of student-athletes during all practices, games, travel, and events.
- Maintain a physical presence at scheduled athletic events and professionally represent the school with officials, opposing teams, and the community.
Student Engagement:
- Actively encourage student enrollment and sustained involvement in the athletic program.
- Help monitor student-athlete academic performance and collaborate with school staff to support their success.
- Actively reinforce a positive team culture centered on respect, discipline, responsibility, and sportsmanship.
- Assist the Head Coach in providing student-athletes with constructive feedback and clear paths for individual improvement.
Communication:
- Maintain clear, consistent communication with the Head Coach regarding athlete progress, logistical needs, and program updates.
- Exhibit professional communication etiquette when engaging with parents, student-athletes, and school administration.
- Assist the Head Coach in conducting parent meetings to review program expectations and compliance tracking.
- Immediately report player injuries, disqualifications, or disciplinary actions directly to the Head Coach, school administration, and the Athletic Director.