How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Summary

Department Summary 

Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services (SAAS) is a student-centered unit within the Division of Student Life whose work is guided by best-practice standards and interventions utilizing a multidimensional model of student well-being.  SAAS oversees three key resources; Services for Students with Disabilities, Adaptive Sports and Fitness, Testing Accommodation Centers and is committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility by providing support services, advocacy and academic accommodations to students with disabilities.  SAAS  is strongly committed to outreach services to the academic community at large, and promoting awareness of disability issues and providing support for equal access for all students. SAAS is a partner to students, faculty and staff in the pursuit of developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

The vision of Adaptive Sports & Fitness is to lead the state of Michigan and the nation in adaptive sport, fitness, and recreation by embracing diversity and inclusion and providing new opportunities to students and community members with and without disabilities. Adaptive Sports and Fitness is a multi-disciplinary recreational and competitive adaptive sports & fitness program that creates equitable opportunities for health and wellness for people with and without disabilities at the University of Michigan and in the greater Ann Arbor community. Adaptive sports & Fitness aims to increase awareness, knowledge, access, and opportunity in relation to adaptive fitness, recreation, and sport for all members of the community. Established in 2018, the program has quickly become nationally recognized for its competitive adaptive sports programs and work in the community to support the growth and development of adaptive sports.

Job Summary

The Adaptive Track and Field Head Coach will provide leadership and oversight for the Adaptive Track and Field program. Develop and implement strategy, structure, and initiatives related to the adaptive track and field program. Analyze, compare, review and evaluate program activities and outcomes. This role will lead all coaching and athlete development for the Adaptive Track and Field program. Represent the program with internal and external partners and stakeholders including serving on assigned committees to represent the Department. This role will manage the budget allocated towards the Adaptive Track and Field program. The position will be responsible for staff, student, and student-athlete development within the Adaptive Track and Field program. This individual will provide a strategic approach for the Adaptive Track and Field program and its operations. This position will provide direct supervision of the Adaptive Track and Field program by creating and managing the budget, policies, procedures, and operations.

Responsibilities*

Leadership and Program Oversight (40%):

• Work with the Assistant Director and Program Manager to create, implement, and assess the strategic plan for UM Adaptive Sports & Fitness, specifically focusing on Adaptive Track and Field
• Develop, deliver, and  provide learning opportunities for students and the University community
• Support the Assistant Director to identify, establish, and steward donor, sponsorship, and partnership opportunities that support the growth of Adaptive Track and Field
• Manage relationships with existing partners internally and externally to support the growth of Adaptive Track and Field (Existing ASF stakeholders include, but are not limited to - Department of Family Medicine, Procurement Services, Recreational Sports, Athletics, Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living, RGK, Underground Printing, Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association, National Wheelchair Basketball Association, United States Tennis Association, Therapeutic Riding, INC.
• Manage the procurement of equipment, apparel, goods, and services for the Adaptive Track and Field program
• Work with athletics to support program activities; including managing facility rental agreements for Adaptive Track and Field
• Coordinate competitions for Adaptive Track and Field by establishing relationships with other collegiate adaptive sports programs, adaptive sport organizations, and sport governing bodies locally, nationally, and internationally
• Coordinate and manage Adaptive Track and Field competitions for away and home competitions; including but not limited to transportation, accommodations, meals, officials, registrations, event sanctioning, volunteer recruitment
• Identify opportunities for external funding through grants or sponsored projects that align with the Adaptive Sports & Fitness program scope and support the Assistant Director and Program Coordinator in the application process
• Ensure that risk management issues related to accommodations for  fitness, recreation, and sports are addressed, including participation waivers; provide a safe, secure and accessible environment for all scheduled activities and events
• Ensure that all appropriate certifications and required safety training are based on industry standards and best practices
• Provide leadership for continued development of the Adaptive Sports & Fitness program
• Lead student-athlete recruitment initiatives for Adaptive Track and Field including informational meetings with highschool and prospective students, informational sessions with community based adaptive sport programs, and on-site visits to local adaptive sport events and competitions
• Serve on committees or work teams internal and external to University of Michigan to support diversity, equity, and inclusion and the growth and development of the Adaptive Track and Field program
• Participate in and lead workshops, seminars, clinics, panels, and other speaking engagements that support an increase in awareness and knowledge of adaptive sports and inclusive recreation, trends in the collegiate adaptive sport landscape, and Adaptive Sports & Fitness projects and initiatives
• Collaborate with University colleagues to represent the Adaptive Sports & Fitness program
• Lead the competition and technical planning for ASF’s annual adaptive track and field meet

Coaching (45%): 

• Attend and coach all adaptive track and field practices (varsity and recreational) and competitions
• Assess individual athlete strengths, weaknesses, developmental needs to create individualized and team training goals, programs, and lessons
• Identify practice plans and training programs that meet the learning methods and development needs of the athletes
• Schedule and meet with each student-athlete regularly to review progress and evaluate their individual development
• Film practices and competitions to do video analysis and coaching with athletes
• Meet regularly with the ASF Strength & Conditioning Coach and UHS Physical Therapist to ensure integration of athlete training and health; review individual athletes, overall training program, make adjustments to training program
• Follow best practices as established by USA Track and Field and other coaching and education leaders in the adaptive sport landscape; including but not limited to the Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association and Move United

Staff Oversight (5%): 

• Provide supervision, direction, coaching and mentoring of staff, temp staff, interns, and volunteers that fall within the purview of Adaptive Track and Field

Fiscal Oversight (10%): 

• Manage the operating budgets of areas of oversight; ensure compliance of operations with Department, Division, and University policies. Purchase and maintain inventory of all equipment and gear as needed
• Maintain inventory of all equipment and gear including supply orders

Other Requirements: Evening and weekend work responsibilities, as needed; be on-call to provide leadership during times programs and facilities are operating; attend professional development opportunities, as assigned; other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications*

• A Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Kinesiology, Sports Management, or related field                            
• At least 2 years experience in coaching track and field
• Current certifications in CPR, First Aid, and AED or ability to obtain within six months of hire

Desired Qualifications*

• Master’s degree in Kinesiology, Physical Education, Recreation, Sports Management and Communication, or related field
• At least 2 years of experience in a volunteer, coaching, administrative, or management position with an adaptive sports program
• Coaching experience in adaptive track and field
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the track and field landscape in the United States, major stakeholders, competition structures, and eligibility requirements
• A working knowledge of, and preferably experience in, NCAA track and field programming, policies, structures, and systems
• Knowledge of, and preferably experience with, NCAA D1 sport; policies, structures, systems, rules
• A working knowledge of the classification system in adaptive track and field
• Experience with adaptive sport industry standards, rules, regulations, and policies
• A valid driver’s license

Additional Information

Candidate Characteristics:                                                                                                                

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and culture, including direct experience working with students, faculty, or staff with diverse backgrounds and identities
• Understanding of inherent risks related to Adaptive Sports and athletic activity and willingness to enforce risk management requirements for the University
• Demonstrate current knowledge of the collegiate adaptive sport landscape and the socio-cultural and institutional factors that impact a collegiate adaptive sports program
• Strong communication skills
• Proven effective leadership and management
• A highly collaborative and consulting style within and outside of the organization                                                             
• An ability to make difficult decisions with diplomacy and inclusion                                                                                      
• An innate capability of understanding organizational and student needs and interests                                                     
• A history of having high levels of trust and integrity                                                                                                  
• An ability to motivate staff and student-athletes towards a common vision and high performance                                           
• An innovative attitude                                                                                                              
• Motivation to create productive learning experiences for students who participate in recreation         

Financial/Budgetary Responsibility

This role will be responsible for managing the budget allocated towards the Adaptive Track and Field program. This role will be responsible for managing the equipment and resource needs for the Adaptive Track and Field program.

Working conditions

Expected to work early morning, evening hours and/or weekends, travel to local events to represent the program, and travel with student-athletes to adaptive sports events. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as necessary.

Physical requirements

Ability to support the needs of athletes and participants at practices and competitions, with reasonable accommodations as needed.

Direct reports

Temporary staff, student interns

Additional Information 

This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery.

Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and applicants for this position will not be sponsored for work visas.  

$40,575-$48,675 75% effort -Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate.

#studentlife
 

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.