Assistant Track and Field Coach (Part-Time)

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Aurora (IL); Hybrid; USD 9,000 - 11,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Stipend

Job summary

Aurora University in Aurora, IL seeks an Assistant Cross Country and Assistant Track and Field Coach to lead and support all aspects of the men’s and women’s programs. Responsibilities include recruiting, coaching, travel coordination and budget management.

This 15-hour-per-week role runs through the fall and spring seasons with potential hybrid/remote arrangements; a valid driver’s license and travel are required. The compensation includes a $10,000 stipend for the season.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required.
• Minimum of two or more years of relevant experience competing and/or coaching.
• Organizational skills and understanding of compliance standards and regulations.
• Experience supervising staff.
• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work with a wide range of constituents: student-athletes, parents, coaches, media, alumni, administrators, support staff, campus community and the community at-large.
• Ability to set and achieve or exceed goals and meet deadlines, strong strategic thinking and problem solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Manages all aspects of Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track programs, including recruiting and coaching student-athletes.
• Ensures compliance with NCAA and conference rules; reports violations.
• Plans, conducts, and evaluates practices; communicates expectations and feedback clearly.
• Develops game plans; prepares team mentally and physically for competition.
• Monitors academic progress of student-athletes and emphasizes academic achievement.
• Maintains professional conduct and builds positive relationships with alumni and the community.
• Attends athletic department meetings and supports the Head Coaches.

Skills

Organizational skills

Supervising staff

Verbal and written skills

Interpersonal skills

Goal setting and strategic thinking

General computer knowledge

Knowledge of athletics

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Position Purpose:

The Assistant Cross Country and Assistant Track and Field Coachsupports the educational mission of Aurora University by providingleadership,organization, and administration of all aspects of the Men’s andWomen’s Cross Country and Track programs. Responsibilities include,but are not limited to, scheduling varsity and junior varsitycompetitions, developing and managing the program’s operatingbudget, coordinating team travel, and overseeing day-to-day programoperations.

Core Competencies:

1. Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner withprospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers andthe community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse groupof faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service,learns and uses operating practices of the department and AuroraUniversity.
2. Upholds the Mission Statement: Aurora University is aninclusive community dedicated to the transformative power oflearning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourageundergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes tobuild meaningful and examined lives. Our singular goal is toempower our students to achieve lasting personal and professionalsuccess.
3. Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizesthe confidential nature of university business.
4. Supports learning through performance of essential jobfunctions and performing other duties and functions as necessary oras assigned, including voluntary participation in universitycommittees, activities and events.

Essential Job Functions:

• Manages and administers all aspects of the Men’s and Women’sCross Country and Track programs. This includes, but is not limitedto, recruiting and teaching/coaching student-athletes.
• Understands and follows NCAA and conference rules andregulations. Follows NCAA rules as outlined in Bylaw 13 in the NCAADivision III Manual. Reports any alleged violations of conference,or institutional rules and regulations.
• Teaching/Coaching
  • Keeps informed of contemporary trends, tactics, techniques andstrategies in coaching, which includes developing a philosophy ofwhat to teach and how to implement. Provides coaching and direction toassistant coaches, as well as praise and constructivefeedback.
  • Plans, implements and evaluates practice sessions. Communicatesexpectations, praise and corrective feedback in a clear andconstructive manner.
  • Develops effective game plans. Prepares team physically,mentally and emotionally for competition; maintains and meetshigh expectations for team athletic success.
  • Instructs student-athletes on high expectations for academicachievement; monitors the academic progress ofstudent-athletes.
  • Instructs student-athletes on high expectations forstudent-athlete social responsibility and works to developwell-rounded student-athletes.
  • Instructs student-athletes on a standard of properstudent-athlete conduct, both in and out of the athletic arena andworks with the Vice President for Athletics to sanction those who do not meet the setstandard.
  • Instructs student-athletes on a standard of proper safety.Monitors condition of equipment and facilities, and reports itemsin need of repair/maintenance to Instructs student-athletes on astandard of proper student-athlete conduct, both in and out of theathletic arena and works with the Vice President for Athletics tosanction those who do not meet the set standard.
• Recruitment of Student-Athletes
  • Recruits and retains quality student-athletes and works withthe Vice President for Athletics and the Office of Admission tosatisfy target squad size numbers and freshmen/transfer recruitmentgoals.
  • Assists student-athletes and their parents in understanding theeducational programs and opportunities at Aurora University as wellas the opportunities in the athletic program. Answers questions toaid in the understanding of NCAA Division III rules related torecruitment.
• Assists maintaining records and statistics of team andindividual performances. Utilizes the support of the SportsInformation Director in collecting the necessary information forarchives.
• Maintains self-control and poise; provides an example ofsportsmanlike conduct for team members, officials, opponents andspectators.
• Develops and maintains a positive relationship with alumni andinterested segments of the university and community.
• Attends athletic department meetings and university communitymeetings and functions.
• Supports the Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coaches bycarrying out assigned responsibilities
• Handles confidential information with tact and discretion.
• Drives university or rental vehicles as needed for awaycontests.
• Performs special and/or additional duties as required by theVice President for Athletics.

Essential Job Requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required.

Experience:

• Minimum of two or more years of relevant experience competingand/or coaching.

Skills:

• Organizational skills and understanding of compliance standardsand regulations
• Experience supervising staff
• Excellent verbal and written skills required
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work with awide range of constituents: student-athletes, parents, coaches,media, alumni, administrators, support staff, campus community andthe community at-large
• Ability to set and achieve or exceed goals and meet deadlines,strong strategic thinking and problem solving abilities
• General computer knowledge
• Strong knowledge of athletics

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to interact verbally in person, over telephone and viawritten and electronic media.
• Ability to move about campus and other locations
• Evening and weekend availability is required
• Flexibility with an evolving work environment important

Work Hours:

Expected equivalent of 15 hours per week, butdays/hours may vary as needed. The position is scheduled for 15hours per week from August 15, 2026, through November 21, 2026, and 15 hours per week from January 11, 2027, through May 15, 2027. Hybrid or work from home employment will be considered if candidatecan demonstrate ability to fulfill this role effectivelyoff-site.

Special Requirements:

• A valid driver's license and driving record which meetsinstitutional requirements is required.
• Requires travel between campus locations or to attend off-sitemeetings.

The compensation for this position is a $10,000 stipend.