Denison Parks and Recreation
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News: Head Swim Team Coach Job Description

Date Published Author
5/8/2023 12:00:00 AM   

Application and Letter of Qualifications due by May 21st.

Head Coach Guidelines
 
COACHING TERMS
The coach must be in good standing with the Western Iowa Swim Conference (WISC). The coach acknowledges that agreeing to and signing their name to uphold these guidelines set by the Denison Aquatic Center (DAC); does not guarantee them the coaching position for the following season or year.  They must reapply for any future coaching positions.
 
COACH EXPECTATIONS

  1. Be available for pre-season meetings with the league/conference board and/or Board members as deemed necessary.
  2. Attend all scheduled practices, meets, championships, and the team award banquet unless precluded by illness, or excused with prior permission.
  3. Develop the daily workout plan, and carry it out.
  4. Maintain a positive and supportive attitude toward the other members of the coaching staff, swimmers of all ability, DAC staff, Parks & Rec Board, Swim Team Parents Board, and parents.
  5. Uphold the ideals and abide by all the rules governing USA Swimming and WISC
  6. Submit all requested Denison Stingray and USA Swimming/WISC paperwork in a timely fashion.
  7. Maintain a high standards of speech, dress, and behavior, which would be generally required in any recreational business setting.
  8. All media and social media posts must be approved by the Parks & Rec Director before submittal.
 
 JOB DESCRIPTION
  1. REPORT TO WORK ON TIME
  2. Provide a positive, encouraging, and challenging atmosphere in which all swimmers, regardless of ability, may improve their skills. Technique comes FIRST.
  3. Treat all swimmers with equal care and concern, regardless of ability, or if you provide them with extra help via private lessons outside of team practice time.
    1. TEAM practice is meant for the whole team to benefit and improve, not certain individuals.
  4. As appropriate, either:
    1. physically enter the water to instruct and assist swimmers who may need it.
    2. demonstrate techniques on dry-land to instruct and assist swimmers who may need help with dry-land or swimming techniques.
  5. Conduct daily workouts including setting up and putting equipment away.
  6. Schedule meet events, as needed.
  7. Schedule Championship Meet events, as needed.
  8. Attend team social events whenever possible.
  9. Plan and participate in the end-of-the-year awards banquet and/or swim party.
  10. Attend any coaches’ or staff meetings required by DAC, Denison Stingrays, or WISC
  11. The swimming coach is responsible for assessing form, skill and stamina of each individual swimmer. Practice sessions for competition are conducted by the swim coach. Individuals or teams are instructed on competition rules, good sportsmanship, competitive spirit, and teamwork skills.
  12. Equipment and supplies are evaluated by the coach for damage and repair. The Coach will notify the Parks & Rec Director of equipment and supplies needed.
  13. The swim coach must be aware of the any medical condition of all swimmers on the team. The coach must be familiar with emergency procedures and informs the coaching team of such procedures.
  14. Coaching younger children requires a very different set of skills than coaching swimmers in their late teens. For example, while maintaining a safe environment is important at any point in a swimmer’s career, preventive safety instruction regarding jumping, running and properly sharing the lane is particularly important for younger swimmers.
  15. Be knowledgeable of the Denison Stingrays Rules and Regulations.
  16. Assignment to practice squads is initially done by age groups. Due to the large number of swimmers that we have, coaches will then distribute swimmers evenly over practice squads by ability. The coach will have the children practice with others of their same ability level, which means that they MAY practice outside of their age group. The children will be assessed by their previous year’s times or during orientation for new members.
  17. Have prompt attendance at all scheduled practice and swim meets. It is duty of the swim coach to be present at all swim meets.
  18. Be available for the entire practice session. Weather may cancel segments of a practice, but may not require canceling the entire scheduled practice.
  19. Notify the Parks & Rec Director of canceled or changes to practice schedule.
  20. Instruct swimmers in rules for proper completion of a heat for each stroke and reasons for disqualification. Coaches should be in the water to properly observe and correct swimming technique for each swimmer. Each swimmer must be observed and evaluated. Do not assume a swimmer in their teens has had previous swim team experience.
  21. Assign necessary coaching staff for all scheduled swim meets and practices. Assigned coaching staff will be directly involved with swimmer instruction for the entire practice session.
  22. Determine all individual and relay events for athletes at swim meets.
  23. Submit events for swim meets to the appropriate host team.
  24. Organize home swim meets.
  25. Organize parent volunteers for home and conference meets needs.
  26. Establishes an environment that fosters positive team attitudes, encourages self-discipline, sportsmanship, and responsibility.
 
CERTIFICATIONS
Preferred certifications include but are not limited to:
  1. American Red Cross CPR
  2. American Red Cross Lifeguard
  3. Water Safety Instructor
Coaches are responsible for maintaining current certifications.
 
SALARY
$1,600 (based on experience)


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