WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT

POSITION DESCRIPTION

 

AREA: Special Olympics Assistant Coach 

 

REPORTS TO: Head Coach, Director of Student Services, and Building Principal

 

SUMMARY OF ASSIGNMENT

The Special Olympics Assistant Coach complements the activities of the Head Coach and carries out directives within the policies set by the Montana High School Association (MHSA), the Northwestern Divisional Class A, the Administration of Whitefish School District, and the rules and regulations of Special Olympics Montana. Participates as an active member of the Whitefish School District Coaching Staff. The primary goal is to put the safety, health, and well-being of students at the forefront of all actions and decisions while aligning with the District’s Strategic Plan.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Possesses a high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Able to obtain First Aid and CPR card with training in AED (automated external defibrillator).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Montana teacher certification.
• Whitefish School District teacher.
• Coaching and competition experience in assigned sports.
• Experience with children with disabilities.
• Knowledge of Title IX compliance.
• Ability to interpret safety rules and manuals.
• Proficiency in writing reports and correspondence.

 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES (including but not limited to):

 

Instruction & Coaching

• Coaches skills and teamwork while staying current on rules and techniques.
• Maintains functional knowledge of Special Olympics Sports Rules and technical requirements.
• Assesses and matches athletes by ability, size, and strength for safe participation.
• Communicates inherent sport-specific risks to all athletes.
• Monitors the academic standing and conduct of student-athletes.

 

Supervision & Leadership

• Acts for the Head Coach when they are unavailable.
• Monitors students during events, travel, and in locker rooms to ensure their safety and guidance.
• Maintains proper volunteer-to-athlete ratios for effective supervision.
• Oversees bus conduct and cleanliness during trips.

Operations

• Supports the Head Coach with training, schedules, and scouting.
• Recruits athletes and handles all medical and registration paperwork.
• Meets deadlines and all paperwork requirements for Special Olympics Montana.
• Assesses individual and team skill levels.
• Arranges tournament logistics and transportation.
• Coordinates with DREAM Adaptive volunteers and ski instructors during winter season.
• Liaises with maintenance and school staff for facility needs.
• Manages emergency action plans and provides medical support.
• Reports athletic injuries and consults with trainers.
• Organizes parent and team meetings.
• Publicizes the program and maintains positive community relations.

 

Accountability

• Uniformly enforces training rules, District policies, and state/league regulations.
• Distributes Student Activities Handbooks and follows prescribed discipline procedures.
• Provides all required documentation for physicals, concussions, drug testing, and eligibility.
• Confirms all activity fees, insurance, and physicals are completed prior to participation.
• Manages equipment inventory, including storage, reconditioning, and recovering lost item costs.
• Maintains fiscal responsibility within budget appropriations.

 

Professionalism

• Acts as a role model, accepts criticism, and maintains confidentiality.
• Fulfills moral and ethical coaching duties.
• Follows the administrative chain of command for all grievances.
• Attends all mandatory public and staff meetings.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The employee constantly works around others, works with the public, and works inside and outside.  The noise level in the work environment varies, but is frequently loud.  The employee must be able to meet deadlines with severe time constraints.  

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The employee is frequently required to walk and continuously required to stand.  The employee will frequently bend or twist at the neck and waist while performing the duties of this position.  The employee will occasionally be required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee continuously uses hand strength to grasp tools.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, depth perception, and peripheral vision.  

 

MENTAL/MOTOR DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee rarely performs routine work.  The employee exercises flexibility (ability to shift from one task to another).  Guidance and reinforcement are usually available.  The employee frequently works within time constraints and must maintain attentiveness intensity.  The employee is frequently involved in social interactions which require oral and written communication.  Reasoning and exercising judgment are constantly used/required on the job. 

 

The physical demands, work-environment characteristics, and mental/motor demands described within this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations shall be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND EVALUATION:

• Terms: Salary, benefits, and working conditions are determined by District Policy, Federal and State Law, and available funding.
• Evaluation: Performance is evaluated per the Master Agreement and/or the coaching/athletic handbook.

For those classified employees employed under a written contract for a specified term, nothing contained in this job description shall create a property right beyond the specified duration of the employment contract. 

 

Updated 6/26