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.
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 Head Cross Country Coach is responsible for all coaching related activities, developing and sustaining a successful program with a strong emphasis on skill development, sportsmanship, teamwork, developing character with a high degree of discipline. The Head Cross Country Coach's responsibilities are not limited to the playing season; as events, season planning, player development, continuous academic monitoring and other activities are involved in the facilitation of a successful program.
Additionally, the head coach is responsible for monitoring the academic progress of their student-athletes, engagement in community service activities, promoting the program throughout the community and through social media, and the overall program management during the calendar year. The Head Cross Country Coach will be expected to develop relationships with IPS feeder schools to enhance skill development and provide guidance at the younger levels with a strong emphasis on increasing athletic participation throughout the IPS pipeline.
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 head coach will report to the Athletics Director and performance will be evaluated by the Athletics Director and Principal based upon this job description.
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree with emphasis in education preferred.
- At least three years of prior successful high school coaching experience with prior head coaching experience preferred.
- Candidate must be familiar with Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and National Federal of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules concerning the sport of Cross Country.
- IHSAA and NFHS Coaching Certification preferred (this can be completed after the hire).
- First Aid and CPR certified as well as knowledge and understanding of the concussion protocol.
- Ability to motivate, teach and recruit qualified student-athletes.
- Ability to foster positive human relationships and to work effectively with students, staff, parents and the community.
- The varsity position required deep knowledge of the sport of Cross Country.
- The varsity coach must exhibit high standards of professional ethics and conduct.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Follow and maintain knowledge of all IPS and IHSAA rules regulation and guidelines governing the sport of Cross Country.
- Instructs and demonstrates skill sets and technique necessary for individual and team development.
- Plans, organizes, advertise and conduct tryouts for the sport; inform Athletics Director and participants of final selections and maintain the integrity of the selection process as well as effectively communicating final cuts.
- 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.
- Recognizes and uses each student-athletes specific talents to devise strategies for meets.
- Knowledge of technical aspects of Cross Country and willingness to continue to learn and examine new ideas pertinent to Cross Country.
- Implementation of a preseason and postseason plan that focuses on enhancing skill development, conditioning and academic achievement; as the coach will proactively meet with student-athletes to discuss academic progress throughout the year.
- Consults with the Athletic Director regarding any offseason training programs including scheduling dates for summer camps/practices etc.
- Hold parent informational meetings at the beginning of each season to discuss coaching philosophy, chain of command and discipline, practice and meet schedules and out of town trips.
- Creates a safe environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the physical, social and emotional development of student-athletes.
- Responsible for purchase order request for program uniforms, supplies and equipment.
- Works directly with the Athletics Director to schedules contests each season.
- Travels with student-athletes and team personnel on the team bus both to and from meets.
- 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 meets and ensure appropriate behavior.
- Ensures the rules and regulations of conduct and eligibility of student-athletes are effectively communicated and followed throughout the year.
- If applicable, proactively work with the junior varsity and freshman team coaches for skill development of student-athletes and principles of playing philosophy in preparation of them being ready for varsity competition.
- Continuously working to facilitate playing opportunities at the post-secondary or collegiate level for graduating student-athletes.
- Interacts thoughtfully and respectfully with students, staff, parents, fellow coaches, administrators and officials and resolves conflicts in a professional manner.
- Professionally represents the school and school district in interactions with students, parents, the community, staff and the media.
- Attendance at all IPS and IHSAA Cross Country coaches' meetings and adherence to all rules and regulations governing the sport of Cross Country.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Understands the fundamentals of Cross Country.
- The ability to motivate, teach and recruit qualified student-athletes to reach their full potential.
- Must have exceptional leadership skills.
- Must have excellent communication skills.
- Must have the ability to serve as a mentor to student-athletes.
- The ability to make quick decisions under pressure.
- The ability to handle stressful situations and keep tempers in check
- The ability to adapt to changing environments.
- The ability to work well with others from diverse backgrounds; focuses on resolving conflict; listening to others without interruptions; remaining open to others' ideas and contributing to building a positive team spirit and environment.
- The ability to communicate fluently verbally and in writing.
- The ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating instructions, procedures manuals and regulations.
- The ability to write general reports and correspondence.
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS:
- Prior cross country coaching experience required, assistant high school coaching experience preferred.
- Candidate must be familiar with Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and National Federal of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules concerning the sport of cross country.
- IHSAA and NFHS Coaching Certification preferred (this can be completed after the hire).
- First Aid and CPR certified as well as knowledge and understanding of the concussion protocol.
- Ability to motivate, teach and recruit qualified student-athletes.
- Ability to foster positive human relationships and to work effectively with students, staff, parents and the community.
- The assistant coach must exhibit high standards of professional ethics and conduct.
FLSA CLASSIFICATION:
Exempt
ELIGIBILITY FOR REMOTE WORK:
Not eligible
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.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
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 must frequently 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.
EEOC STATEMENT:
Indianapolis Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, will not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, homelessness or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations, or ordinances. Indianapolis Public Schools does not tolerate any form of retaliation or bias-based intimidation, threat, or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.
DISCLAIMER:
Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the above representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This job description is illustrative only, and is not a comprehensive list of all essential functions and duties performed by the occupant of this position. Factors such as regular and punctual attendance are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function.
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