Elementary Basketball Coach 26/27

Nimble; Indianapolis, Northern (IN, KY); Hybrid; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Indianapolis Public Schools seeks an Elementary Basketball Coach to lead coaching activities, emphasize sportsmanship, teamwork, and character development, and foster foundational skill growth for young student-athletes. The IPS leagues focus on fun, safe play and positive environments.

The role reports to the Athletic Coordinator and Principal, with 6-7 league games and potential post-season play. Strong coaching experience and the ability to recruit and motivate students are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience playing and/or coaching the sport.
• Ability to motivate, teach and recruit qualified student-athletes.
• Ability to foster positive relationships with students, and to work effectively with staff, and parents.
• The ability to handle stressful situations and keep tempers in check.
• Familiarity with the school’s community and/or staff.
• Exhibits high standards of professional ethics and conduct.

Responsibilities

• Help plan, organize, promote, and conduct tryouts for the sport.
• Inform Athletic Coordinator of final selections and maintain the integrity of the selection process as well as effectively communicating final cuts.
• Coaches during each game.
• Develops appropriate training programs and practice schedules.
• Studies the skills and abilities of each student‑athlete on the team and puts them in position to be successful and contributes to the team success.
• Maintains safe environment conducive to learning and appropriate for athletic participation.

Skills

Coaching experience

Athlete motivation

Relationship building

Stress tolerance

Community familiarity

Professional ethics

Job description

WELCOME TO INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS!

At IPS, we believe in the transformative power of education. We work collectively every day to prepare our students for success in the classroom and in life by providing equitable, high-quality educational experiences across our family of schools. IPS is a place to make an impact, grow your career, and ensure every student has access to a high quality education, all while earning a good living in a district on the move. While the work is challenging, it is deeply meaningful and impactful. We seek innovators and trailblazers who bring varying experiences and expertise and share our belief that every child deserves access to an exceptional education. As part of TeamIPS, you’ll create lasting connections, find a sense of belonging, and feel supported to make a meaningful difference in students’ lives.

In return, no matter your role here, we expect a commitment to excellence and accountability. You’ll be held to high standards. Resilience and passion are key—you must be adaptable, handling adversity with flexibility while putting students at the heart of everything you do. Ethical conduct, clear communication, and mutual respect are fundamental. Being a dependable, collaborative team player who builds meaningful relationships is essential.

Together, we are Proving What’s Possible by building a community where everyone belongs and each student has the opportunity to fulfill their potential.

A Career in IPS Offers…

Purpose and Impact:

• Essential Contributions: In every non-teaching and non-leadership role, your work directly supports the success of IPS students and schools. Whether you’re maintaining facilities, providing student services, or managing administrative operations, you play a key part in ensuring an equitable and high-quality educational environment.
• Belonging and Community: IPS is a place where every employee is valued. You’ll join a supportive community that promotes respect, teamwork, and a shared commitment to serving students and families.

Professional and Personal Growth:

• Training and Development Opportunities: IPS offers a variety of training programs to help staff build new skills and grow professionally. This includes access to development opportunities for administrative, technical, and operational roles, as well as pathways to becoming a certified teacher.
• Skill Enhancement: Whether you’re new to your role or seeking to deepen your expertise, IPS provides resources and support for continuous improvement.

Comprehensive Compensation and Benefits:

• Fair Compensation: IPS ensures competitive wages and regularly reviews pay structures to maintain equity.
• Extensive Benefits Package: Employees enjoy comprehensive health coverage, dental and vision plans, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement plans. Additional financial benefits include flexible spending accounts and eligibility for federal loan forgiveness programs.

Work-Life Balance and Well-being:

• Generous Leave Policies: IPS offers vacation, personal, and sick leave, along with paid holidays. Twelve-month employees benefit from floating holidays, and unused personal leave rolls into the sick leave balance.
• Wellness Programs: IPS prioritizes staff well-being with access to wellness initiatives, including health screenings and an employee assistance program for confidential support and counseling.

What We Expect:

• Professionalism and Reliability: Every role at IPS is vital to the district’s success. We expect staff to demonstrate professionalism, dependability, and a commitment to providing excellent service to students, educators, and families.
• Collaboration and Communication: IPS values teamwork. Working collaboratively with your colleagues ensures a supportive environment for all. Clear communication and mutual respect are key to maintaining this culture.
• Flexibility and Problem-Solving: As a large, dynamic district, IPS needs staff who are adaptable and proactive in solving problems to meet the ever-changing needs of students and schools.

JOIN US!

Indianapolis Public Schools is more than a workplace; it’s a community where purpose, impact, and belonging come together to help Prove What’s Possible – in your career and in your school. If you’re ready to embrace challenges, strive for excellence, and make a meaningful impact, IPS is the place for you.

SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITY:

The Elementary Basketball Coach is responsible for all coaching related activities, implementing a strong emphasis in sportsmanship, teamwork, and character development, and foundational skill development. The IPS elementary sports leagues are developmental leagues that prioritize the fostering and maintaining of a positive environment for our young student athletes to have fun and learn the sport.

It is imperative that the successful candidate demonstrates a proven aptitude for coaching, illustrated by a strong work ethic, organizational skills, and the ability to produce results. The Elementary Basketball Coach will report to the Athletic Coordinator and performance will be evaluated by the Athletic Coordinator and Principal.

Each team will have 6-7 regular season contests and may qualify for a post-season tournament.

Required Experience & Abilities

• Experience playing and/or coaching the sport.
• Ability to motivate, teach and recruit qualified student-athletes.
• Ability to foster positive relationships with students, and to work effectively with staff, and parents.
• The ability to handle stressful situations and keep tempers in check.
• Familiarity with the school’s community and/or staff.
• Exhibits high standards of professional ethics and conduct.

Expectations

• Help plan, organize, promote, and conduct tryouts for the sport.
• Inform Athletic Coordinator and participants of final selections and maintain the integrity of the selection process as well as effectively communicating final cuts.
• Coaches during each game.
• Develops appropriate training programs and practice schedules.
• Studies the skills and abilities of each student‑athlete on the team and puts them in position to be successful and contributes to the team success.
• Knowledge of technical aspects of Basketball and willingness to continue to learn and examine new ideas pertinent to Basketball.
• Creates a safe environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the physical, social, and emotional development of student‑athletes.
• Travels with student‑athletes and team personnel on the team bus both to and from games.
• Maintains necessary records and completes required paperwork in a specified time and manner.
• Enforces discipline policies and emphasizes sportsmanship and healthy lifestyles.
• Supervises student‑athletes in locker rooms at home and away games and ensures appropriate behavior.
• Professionally represents the school and the district in interactions with students, parents, crowd, staff, officials, competition, and others.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but should be expected to increase in certain circumstances.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully preform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly to talk or listen. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and use hands to finger, handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee may need to lift and/or move up to 15 pounds and occasionally lift and /or move athletic equipment weighing up to 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The employee must have the ability to demonstrate the proper techniques and skills needed for athletic participation.