Head Coach

Palm Desert Swim Club (PDSC)

Palm Desert, Ca | Full-Time | 65-70k | Club Sponsored Health Benefits

About Us

Palm Desert Swim Club (PDSC) isn't just a swim team—we're a passionate, inclusive, and family-oriented community. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Now in our 13th season, we serve swimmers ages 6-18 across all skill levels, from first-time competitors to elite athletes pursuing regional and national success.

Our mission: To create a safe, inclusive, and exciting culture that instructs and inspires children to swim, compete, and have fun.

Our vision: To become the premier swim program in the Coachella Valley through world-class coaching, character development, and lifelong friendships.

About the Role

The Palm Desert Swim Club is seeking a full-time Head Coach with strong leadership and communication skills, a passion for youth development, and a vision for growing a high-quality swim program. This is a unique opportunity to shape the direction of a growing team and build a lasting legacy in the Coachella Valley swim community. As a non-profit organization, the Head Coach reports directly to the PDSC Board of Directors. The full-time position includes 20-25 hours per week on deck, plus 15-20 hours per week for administrative duties.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, hire, and train a team of assistant coaches across all practice groups

• Design and oversee practice plans and seasonal training schedules for all levels

• Implement age-appropriate dryland training programs

• Inspire and support athletes from novice to elite levels

• Attend and coach at all swim meets, including weekends

• Communicate regularly with swimmers, parents, and the PDSC Board

• Uphold and promote the team's mission and athlete code of conduct

• Ensure compliance with USA Swimming regulations and safety standards

• Support program growth through recruiting and community engagement

• Utilize platforms including Team Unify, Meet Manager, and Online Meet Entry (OME)

Qualifications

• Required:

  • Minimum of 3 years coaching experience (head coach experience preferred)

  • Strong technical knowledge of stroke development and age-group training

  • Current or eligible to obtain USA Swimming Coaching Certifications: Quality Coaching Framework (QCF), CORE Certification, USADA Coach Advantage Tutorial (CAT), Athlete Protection Training, and CPR, First Aid, and Safety Training for Swim Coaches (STSC)

  • Successful background check through USA Swimming

  • Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills

  • A passion for coaching, youth development, and team building

• Preferred:

  • Experience supervising assistant coaches or volunteers

  • Background in dryland and strength training

  • Experience developing athletes to sectional, junior national, or collegiate levels

  • Bilingual in English and Spanish (a plus, not required)

What We Offer

• Competitive salary: $65,000-$70,000

• Club-sponsored health insurance benefits

• Supportive Board and active parent community

• A family-first team culture that values long-term athlete development

• The opportunity to shape the future of swimming in the Coachella Valley

How to Apply

Please send your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your coaching philosophy, relevant experience, and vision for PDSC to vice-president@palmdesertswimclub.com. We are seeking a long-term leader who is aligned with our values and excited to grow with our team. If that's you, we'd love to hear from you.