Club Softball Coach

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Fairfield (CT); On-site; USD 2,066,400 - 3,444,000; Part time

Job summary

Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT is seeking a part-time Club Sports Coach within the Department of Recreation. The role focuses on supporting club sport officers and participants, with responsibilities including planning practices, supervising games, and promoting a safe, inclusive environment.

The position is renewable per semester and requires commitment to evenings and weekends. Candidates should bring coaching or playing experience, strong communication and leadership, and a

Qualifications

• Previous coaching and/or playing experience in the respective sport.
• Knowledge of sport-specific strategies, techniques, and safety standards.
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, staff, and external organizations.
• Preferred: CPR/First Aid certification.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct effective practice sessions focused on skill development, strategy, and teamwork
• Provide constructive feedback and technical instruction to enhance athlete performance
• Support a balance between competitive success and educational/recreational value
• Encourage a positive and inclusive environment that aligns with university values
• Attend and supervise games and practices, including evenings and weekends
• If unable to attend a scheduled practice, game, or event, promptly notify both the team officers and the Associate Director of Club Sports to ensure coverage
• Submit monthly team recaps to the Associate Director
• Prioritize participant safety, enforce proper use of equipment, safety protocols, and monitor conditions
• Report injuries, incidents, and concerns to the Club Sports Office promptly
• Ensure proper warm-up/stretching for student-athletes prior to practice or competition
• Communicate regularly with the Associate Director on team status, roster, injuries, incidents, equipment, and compliance
• Work collaboratively with student leaders to manage team logistics
• Support development of team budgets and fundraising with student officers
• Represent the team and university with professionalism and integrity at all times

Skills

Coaching experience

Sport knowledge

Communication skills

Leadership

Organizational skills

CPR/First Aid

Job description

About the University

Fairfield University is a co‑educational, comprehensive Jesuit university with a 200‑acre campus located along the scenic shoreline community of Fairfield, CT. The University is comprised of approximately 3,500 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students pursuing degrees within five schools: The College of Arts and Sciences, The Charles F. Dolan School of Business, The School of Engineering, The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, and School of Education and Human Development. As an expression of our Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity, Fairfield embraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouraging critical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fostering ethical and religious values.

Position Summary

Position: Club Sports Coach

Reports to: Chelsey Wright, Associate Director of Competitive Sports

General position summary: Serve as a key member of the Club Sports program, within the Department of Recreation. This is a part‑time position and is renewable on a per semester basis. The purpose of this position is to provide support to club sport officers and participants.

Essential Duties

Basic Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct effective practice sessions focused on skill development, strategy, and teamwork
• Provide constructive feedback and technical instruction to enhance athlete performance
• Support a balance between competitive success and educational/recreational value
• Encourage a positive and inclusive environment that aligns with university values
• Attend and supervise games and practices, including evenings and weekends
• If unable to attend a scheduled practice, game, or event, promptly notify both the team officers and the Associate Director of Club Sports to ensure appropriate coverage and communication
• Submit monthly team recaps to the Associate Director

Risk Management Responsibilities

• Prioritize participant safety at all times, enforce proper use of equipment, adherence to safety protocols, and monitor environmental conditions
• Report all injuries, incidents, and concerns to the Club Sports Office promptly
• Ensure proper warm‑up/stretching for student‑athletes prior to practice or competition

Administration & Communication

• Communicate regularly with the Associate Director on topics including, but not limited to: team status, roster, injuries, incidents, equipment, administrative responsibilities, and compliance
• Work collaboratively with student leaders to manage team logistics (scheduling, travel, facility use, etc.)
• Support the development of team budgets and fundraising in coordination with student officers
• Represent the team and university with professionalism and integrity at all times

Team Management

• Collaborate with team officers to establish goals, organize practices, games, and travel
• Assist with game preparation, competition strategy, and post‑game evaluations
• Ensure proper supervision and conduct of team members during all club‑related activities
• Uphold and enforce all university, club sport, league, and governing body rules and policies

Other Duties

Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned to meet the goals and mission requirements of the University, Recreation, and the Club Sport Program. Cooperation of all personnel is expected to carry out the mission.

Qualifications

• Previous coaching and/or playing experience in the respective sport
• Knowledge of sport‑specific strategies, techniques, and safety standards
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, staff, and external organizations
• Preferred: CPR/First Aid certification

Time Commitment

• Varies by sport and season; includes practices, competitions, travel, and administrative meetings as required
• Nights and weekends required

Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

Background Check

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.