2026-27 Cross Country - Assistant Coach - Middle School

Position Type: Athletics/Activities – Assistant Coach Date Posted: 6/2/2026 Location: Lakota Middle School Days of the Week: Monday – Thursday Shift Times: 2:45 – 4:45 (Monday – Thursday); meets may last until 7 pm or later Hours per Day: 2 Days per Year: 45 Position Summary High school assistant coaches work in concert with the assistant coach to ensure the growth and development of student athletes by focusing on fundamental skills instruction with an emphasis on whole child development to include expectations for academic and athletic excellence, leadership skills, and positive social relationships. Applicants must be at least 19 years of age for assistant coaching positions and 21 years of age for head coaching positions, in accordance with WIAA requirements. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Professional Development and Leadership – Stay current with sport‑specific literature and attend clinics and workshops. Responsibility for Rules and Regulations – Study and understand the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), Federal Way Public Schools, and league rules. Program Promotion – Promote the sport within the school and community; report scores and contest information to media and the league website immediately after contests. Program Organization – Attend practices and contests daily; coordinate with the building athletic director for absences; implement the system of play or style of instruction directed by the head coach. Standard of Care – Model safety training, maintain basic athletic training skills, perform basic taping and first aid functions. Professionalism – Exercise good judgment, exhibit positive coaching behaviors, develop basic skills fundamentals, leadership characteristics, and team‑oriented behavior; remain calm, positive, contemplative and fair‑minded. Sportsmanship and Ethics – Serve as an example of sportsmanship and humility; handle obstacles or losses with grace, dignity and pride; model ethical behavior and good citizenship. Supervision – Supervise participants from arrival to departure. Presentation of Rules/Regulations – Thoroughly understand and reinforce eligibility requirements, participation rules, and the District Eligibility Code. Attention to Eligibility Rules – Ensure team members complete the eligibility process before participating in any practice activity. Accident/Injury Procedure – Call 911 for serious injuries; submit an Accident Report Form to the building athletic director within 24 hours; report emergency situations to the building athletic director and director of athletics. Media Contact – Report scores promptly and accurately to local news media and the league website immediately after each event. Meeting Attendance – Attend building, district, league, and rules clinic meetings as scheduled. Post‑Season Awards Gathering – Work with the head coach to plan and implement a post‑season gathering that includes participants from all program levels and parents/guardians. Responsibility for Playing Facility and Equipment – Report safety concerns to the head coach; manage care of equipment and facilities used in the program. Violations and Ejections Procedure – Report violations or ejections to the head coach, building athletic director, and director of athletics immediately after the contest. Coach Evaluation Process – Attend an evaluation meeting with the building athletic director after the season. Assistant Coach as Program Leader – Meet regularly with the head coach to discuss program goals and ensure consistent presentation and implementation of skills, systems, and strategies. Responsibility for Program Equipment, Supplies, and Inventory – Account for all program‑related items checked out at the start of the season. Program Purchases – Request essential program needs through the head coach; do not purchase items with personal funds. Fundraising Activities – Work through the head coach to discuss potential fundraising activities; do not raise or handle funds without advance approval from the building athletic director. Other Responsibilities – Perform other related duties as assigned to support efficient and effective functioning of the program and student learning objectives. The preceding list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. Required Qualifications Education and Experience High school diploma or equivalent. Prior sport‑specific playing and/or coaching experience in a secondary and/or post‑secondary athletics program and/or related club coaching experience. Proven training and experience in the presentation of drills, safety factors, and proper application of skills. Additional Requirements Work scheduled hours on a consistent basis. Preferred Qualifications Two or more years of paid high school and/or post‑secondary sport‑specific coaching experience and/or related club coaching experience. Completion of the National Federation Coaching Fundamentals Course, including passing the test. Condition of Employment 19 years of age or older, per WIAA regulations Criminal background clearance First Aid and CPR certification (must be hands‑on training) Online Concussion Training (CT); a free course is available at Knowledge Of League and WIAA rules and regulations National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) sport‑specific rules and regulations Record keeping and report preparation School board policies and procedures Ability To Organize, administrate, and oversee a sport‑specific athletics program at each level of the program Comply with school board policies and follow administrative procedures Organize and perform job responsibilities efficiently and independently without close supervision and pay strict attention to detail Speak, read and follow written or verbal communications Practice effective safety and security within individual work routines Develop and maintain positive customer relations with staff and service providers Work collaboratively with district staff and promote teamwork with co‑workers Practice ethical and professional standards of conduct including confidentiality Relate effectively with parents, staff, students and the public in a multicultural and multiracial community Perform job responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodations Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Related to Cultural Competence and Equity Knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and how this influences behavior, and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others Ability to establish and nurture an environment that promotes cultural competence and equitable treatment of staff, students, and patrons of the District Ability to understand and hold self and others accountable for promoting the Federal Way Public Schools’ commitment to "Each Scholar: A Voice. A Dream. A Bright Future." Ability to recognize that each person is a unique individual even as we celebrate their group cultural heritage Physical Demands Regularly required to sit, stand, and walk. Frequently use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear. Occasionally stand and walk. Must regularly lift or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision and ability to adjust focus. Work Environment Employee works in indoor conditions on surfaces that vary in height and stability. Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. Work Schedule Varies – Work days are dependent on the schedule for the specific sport. Reporting Relationship Position reports to and is evaluated by the Building Athletic Director. Representation Federal Way Education Association represents Federal Way School Coaches. Level of Compensation Federal Way Education Association represents Federal Way School Coaches Salary Schedule. All employment open positions are made available on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or veteran status. #J-18808-Ljbffr Federal Way Public Schools