Middle School Cross Country Coach

District 123; Oak Lawn (IL); On-site; USD 2,000 - 5,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stipend

Job summary

Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 seeks a dedicated boys and girls cross country coach for its middle school program. You will plan practices, teach technique and race strategy, and supervise student-athletes with a focus on safety and sportsmanship.

You will coordinate with principals and the athletic director, communicate expectations to families, and help maintain team records and program integrity throughout the season.

Qualifications

• Experience coaching or working with middle school students.
• Knowledge of distance running training, conditioning, safety practices, and relevant rules.
• Ability to build positive, respectful relationships with students, parents, staff, and officials.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct practices and meets, teaching skills, conditioning, and race strategies for middle school runners.
• Provide active supervision of student-athletes at all times, including during practices, meets, and travel.
• Ensure safety by monitoring weather, routes, and facilities, and adjusting plans as needed.
• Communicate expectations for conduct, attendance, and eligibility to students and guardians.
• Coordinate scheduling, transportation, and reporting with school leaders and athletic staff.
• Maintain program records, meet entries, and team documentation.

Skills

Middle school coaching

Distance running training

Positive relationships

Job description

Job Goal

To provide student-athletes with a safe, well-organized cross country program that teaches distance running technique, training principles, and race strategy while developing sportsmanship, teamwork, and personal responsibility.

Our Mission & Strategic Vision

Our mission is to prepare today's learners for tomorrow's world. We seek to intentionally design an environment where every student is held to high expectations and empowered to reach their full potential as productive, well-rounded humans. Driven by our strategic framework, we are committed to five key pillars of excellence:

• Academic Success: Building strong foundations for lifelong learning.
• Supportive & Safe Schools: Nurturing student well-being and security.
• A Thriving Workforce: Sustaining a dedicated and inspired team.
• Operational Excellence: Meeting evolving district needs with efficiency.
• Community Engagement: Fostering reciprocal, authentic relationships.

Our Portrait of a Graduate serves as our "north star," expanding the definition of success to include both core academic knowledge and the essential competencies our community identifies as vital for our students to leave ready for their next step within their academic journey, future work, and life. By clearly articulating these student-focused outcomes. The entire School District 123 Strategic Framework and Portrait of a Graduate can be found at: plan.d123.org.

Direct Supervisor

Building Principal or designee and the Athletic Director, may receive assignments from administrative personnel as required or assist with special projects as assigned by District administration.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

This description applies to the boys and girls cross country programs.

• Demonstrate support of the Oak Lawn-Hometown School District #123 Strategic Framework.
• Uphold the established Board of Education policies, regulations, and administrative procedures.
• Plan and conduct practices and meets, and teach the skills, conditioning, and strategies of cross country at a level appropriate for middle school student-athletes.
• Provide active, attentive supervision of student-athletes at all times, including before, during, and after practices, meets, and team activities, and while traveling with the team on District-provided transportation.
• Plan practice and meet routes in advance, confirm that running areas are safe, and monitor weather and heat conditions, modifying or canceling activity when conditions are unsafe.
• Follow all IESA and SWIC South Suburban Conference rules and regulations along with District athletic guidelines governing eligibility, participation, and competition.
• Maintain current concussion certification and follow District procedures for injury response and reporting.
• Verify that physicals, parent/guardian consent forms, and eligibility documentation are complete before a student-athlete participates.
• Communicate expectations for conduct, attendance, academic eligibility, meet participation, and travel to student-athletes and parents/guardians, including through a preseason meeting.
• Establish and enforce team rules, and address discipline concerns in accordance with the Family Handbook and Board of Education policy.
• Issue, collect, and inventory uniforms and team equipment, and report loss or damage to the Building Principal or designee.
• Coordinate practice and meet scheduling, course and facility use, and transportation with the Building Principal or designee and the Athletic Director, and add team events to the District calendar.
• Communicate team events, schedule changes, and program needs to the Building Principal or designee and the Athletic Director, and maintain regular contact with both throughout the season.
• Submit meet entries and results as required, and maintain team and individual records.
• Model professional conduct and sportsmanship in interactions with student-athletes, parents/guardians, officials, opposing teams, and colleagues.
• Maintain confidentiality of student records, health information, and team documentation.
• Participate in required conference, District, and team meetings, and perform other responsibilities as assigned by the Building Principal or designee in accordance with the Board of Education.
• Regular attendance and/or physical presence at the job.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience coaching or working with middle school aged students, preferably in cross country or track and field.
• Working knowledge of distance running training, conditioning, and safety practices, including IESA and SWIC South Suburban Conference rules.
• Ability to build positive, respectful relationships with student-athletes, parents/guardians, staff, and officials.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand, walk, and move about outdoor courses and practice areas over uneven terrain for prolonged periods of time. Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull equipment.

Terms of Employment

Status: Extended Service Position (Supplemental)

Stipend: See the Extended Service Stipend Schedule, d123.org/cba

Evaluation

Performance in this position will be evaluated by the Building Principal or designee in accordance with the Board of Education's policy on Evaluation of Professional Personnel.

The School Board of Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 prohibits any and all forms of discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, age, homelessness, or disability or other basis prohibited by law in any of its programs, services, activities or employment.