Middle School Sports Coach

Apex Park and Recreation District; Colorado; On-site; USD 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Apex Park and Recreation District seeks a Middle School Sports Coach to lead practices, teach sport-specific skills, and promote safe, inclusive youth sports. You will supervise games, encourage teamwork, and communicate with families and staff to support a positive program experience.

The role requires organizing drills, enforcing safety rules, and adapting instruction for varied abilities. You will help with equipment, field setup, and maintaining records, contributing to confident

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Coursework in physical education, recreation, coaching, education, youth development, sports management, or related field preferred.
• Combination of education, training, volunteer experience, playing experience, coaching experience, and work experience may be considered.
• First Aid, CPR, AED, concussion awareness or other safety certs may be required or obtained within the department timeframe.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and lead practices, drills, skill-building activities, and team instruction for middle school programs.
• Teach sport-specific fundamentals, rules, strategies, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
• Supervise participants during practices, games, and activities to ensure safety and inclusion.
• Promote fair play, participation, respect, confidence, and positive youth development.
• Communicate professionally with participants, families, officials, staff, and coaches.

Skills

Youth sports knowledge

Coaching ability

Communication skills

Safety awareness

Team leadership

Equipment handling

Conflict resolution

Attention to detail

First aid knowledge

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Related-field coursework (PE, recreation, coaching, youth development)

Job description

The Middle School Sports Coach leads and supports middle school youth sports participants in a safe, positive, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate environment. This position plans and conducts practices, teaches sport-specific skills and rules, encourages teamwork and sportsmanship, supervises participants during practices and games, communicates with parents/guardians and staff, and helps create a program experience that promotes confidence, participation, skill development, and positive youth development.

• Plan, organize, and lead age-appropriate practices, drills, skill-building activities, and team instruction for assigned middle school sports programs.
• Teach sport-specific fundamentals, rules, strategies, teamwork, and sportsmanship in a positive and encouraging manner.
• Supervise participants during practices, games, team activities, and transitions to help ensure safety, inclusion, and appropriate behavior.
• Promote fair play, participation, respect, confidence, and positive youth development for athletes of varying skill levels and backgrounds.
• Communicate professionally with participants, parents/guardians, officials, school staff, recreation staff, and other coaches regarding schedules, expectations, concerns, and program updates.
• Monitor participant behavior and address conflicts, discipline concerns, injuries, weather issues, and other program needs in accordance with department policies and procedures.
• Follow and enforce league rules, department policies, safety procedures, facility guidelines, and participant conduct expectations.
• Assist with team organization, attendance, equipment distribution, setup, cleanup, and care of program equipment and facilities.
• Inspect fields, courts, gyms, and equipment before and after activities; report unsafe conditions, maintenance concerns, injuries, incidents, or supply needs promptly.
• Model professionalism, punctuality, reliability, respect, and enthusiasm while representing the program.
• Support program evaluation by providing feedback and recommendations to improve safety, organization, participation, and the overall participant experience.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• Knowledge of youth sports, middle school athletics, basic sport rules, safe coaching practices, and positive youth development principles.
• Prior experience coaching, playing, officiating, volunteering, assisting with youth programs, or working with middle school-age participants preferred.
• Ability to lead practices, explain skills clearly, demonstrate drills when appropriate, and adjust instruction for participants with varying skill levels.
• Ability to supervise youth participants, maintain appropriate boundaries, encourage positive behavior, and create an inclusive team environment.
• Ability to make sound decisions and respond appropriately to injuries, emergencies, weather concerns, conflicts, and behavior issues.
• Strong communication, organization, teamwork, customer service, conflict resolution, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to interpret, explain, and follow department policies, league rules, safety expectations, and codes of conduct tactfully and consistently.
• Ability to maintain basic records, including attendance, incident reports, equipment needs, and participant or parent/guardian communications as assigned.
• Ability to work independently with general direction and exercise good judgment in a busy youth sports environment.
• First Aid, CPR, AED, concussion awareness, and/or other safety certifications may be required or must be obtained within the timeframe established by the department.
• Must successfully complete any required background check, reference check, training, or certification process prior to working with participants.

High school diploma or equivalent preferred. Coursework, training, or experience in physical education, recreation, coaching, education, youth development, sports management, or a related field preferred. Any combination of education, training, volunteer experience, playing experience, coaching experience, and work experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Physical Activities

This position requires the ability to stand and walk for extended periods; move between practice and game areas; demonstrate or assist with sport-related activities as needed; bend, stoop, kneel, reach, carry, push, and pull; set up and take down equipment; and respond quickly to participant or site safety needs. Must be able to lift and carry program equipment up to 30 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily in indoor and outdoor recreation settings, including gyms, fields, courts, parks, schools, community centers, and other program sites. The position may involve exposure to varying weather conditions, noise, crowds, athletic equipment, uneven surfaces, and active practice or game environments. The position requires frequent interaction with youth participants, parents/guardians, coaches, officials, recreation staff, school personnel, and the public. Work schedules may include afternoons, evenings, weekends, holidays, and seasonal program dates.

NOTE: This job announcement outlines the primary responsibilities, but there's always room to grow and shine as part of our team. This position may be involved in additional exciting projects as assigned.

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage qualified individuals from all backgrounds, including women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans, to apply. Our organization values the unique perspectives and experiences that a diverse workforce brings, and we are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.