Cross Country Coach

Impact Kids; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Impact Kids is seeking a Cross Country Coach to lead running-focused instruction for children aged 4 to 14. You will supervise sessions, teach proper form, warm-ups, and pacing, and create a fun, safe learning environment.

A minimum of two years working with children is required, plus cross country or track coaching experience. A fingerprint Live Scan, child abuse clearance, CPR/First Aid certification are required; a Bachelor’s degree is preferred but not required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience with children in tutoring, camps, or coaching.
• Cross country/track coaching or competitive running experience (1–5 years).
• Fingerprint Live Scan background check and child abuse clearance required; CPR/First Aid certification.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily running and cross country instruction to children aged 4–14.
• Teach running form, warm-ups, pacing, and breathing.
• Lead workouts, games, relays, and time trials to build endurance.
• Monitor safety, weather, hydration, and student progress.
• Collaborate with Activity Specialists and model company values.
• Follow Impact Kids Code of Conduct.

Skills

Coaching kids

Communication skills

Team player

Feedback delivery

High energy

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CPR/First Aid

Job description

About Us

Impact Kids has been providing safe, fun, and meaningful enrichment programs for over 10 years, and today we serve students at public and private schools across the country. Students have a safe space to develop, learn, play, and most importantly, just be kids in our before, during, and after school programs!

Who We Are Looking For

Looking for experienced individuals for teaching and instruction of youth cross country and running programs. Candidate must possess a high energy, positive approach with a genuine desire to impact young children’s lives through running and fitness. The ideal candidate would be a runner with considerable experience and be passionate about coaching kids to build endurance, confidence, and a lifelong love of running.

This individual must provide constructive feedback, implement company curriculum, and be a team player. Also demonstrate outstanding communication skills with children and their parents, which include the ability to use clear, concise, and grammatically correct written and oral language in all aspects of professional interaction with students, their families, peers, the leadership team and the larger community.

A fingerprint-based criminal background check (Live Scan), child abuse clearance, mandated reporter training, and current CPR/First Aid certification are required.

Experience Requirements

A minimum of 2 years of previous experience working with children; examples include but are not limited to: academic/athletic tutoring, camp counselor, and youth volunteer. Cross country, track, or youth running coaching experience, or competitive running experience at the high school or collegiate level (1-5 years minimum) required.

Education Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (preferred but not required)

Essential Job Responsibilities

The Cross Country Coach is responsible for the supervision of students, giving running-specific coaching and instruction, providing a safe and fun learning environment, and serving as a positive role model for students.

• Provide daily running and cross country instruction/coaching to students between the ages of 4 and 14 with different ability levels.
• Teach proper running form, warm‑ups, stretching, pacing, and breathing, explaining the principles behind them.
• Lead age‑appropriate workouts, running games, relays, and time trials that build endurance gradually and safely.
• Observe and assess student performance, track progress and personal bests, and give students feedback on their improvement.
• Plan and supervise safe running routes on school grounds, keeping all students visible and accounted for at all times.
• Monitor weather, heat, and hydration, and adjust activity intensity as needed.
• Group supervision of students with attention to: behavior and group management, health and safety, security, and personal and skill development.
• Ensure the safety of students and team members.
• Organise and prepare daily plans in a fun and creative manner.
• Use effective classroom management skills to lead the activity and effectively create a fun environment where everyone feels included.
• Work effectively with fellow Activity Specialists and collaborate on daily responsibilities. Serve as a positive role model to students.
• Follow the Impact Kids Code of Conduct and maintain the Impact Kids look at all times.
• Exhibit Impact Kids Core Values at all times and adhere to all company policies.
• Have fun!

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Be willing to travel. Work takes place outdoors in varied weather conditions, including heat. Ability to run alongside students and demonstrate running technique. Ability to respond to emergency situations that may require running and climbing stairs. Good physical condition which enables candidate to execute all responsibilities associated with this position.