Tucson FORD Aquatics

Full-time Head Age Group Coach, (& admin support)

Tucson Ford Dealers Aquatics (Ford) is a non-profit, board-governed, and coach-led competitive swimming organization that has served the Tucson, Arizona community for over 30 years. Ford supports swimmers from the Novice to Junior Nationals level. The club operates three developmental age group programs and a senior group, totaling around 140 USA swimmers, as well as a Masters swim program of 85 USMS swimmers. The team is based out of the University of Arizona’s Hillenbrand Aquatics Center. 

The Head Age Group Coach/Administrative Assistant is a full-time, salaried role responsible for overseeing Ford Aquatics' Age Group program, serving as the Lead Age Group Coach, managing staff, and assisting the Head Coach with program administration. This position requires active on-deck coaching and a commitment to high technical standards, team culture, and coaching development. Annual salary for HAGC is $50,000. 

The ideal candidate has extensive age group coaching experience across skill levels, a strong grasp of stroke progressions and technique, and a passion for swimmer development. We are seeking an energetic, communicative, and dedicated coach who prioritizes both athletic performance and character growth, upholding the highest ethical and moral standards.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 4 years of experience coaching age-group swimmers of all levels

• Strong organizational, communication, and customer service skills with swimmers, parents, staff, and community members

• Track record of guiding young swimmers toward their individual potential through personalized instruction, technical development, and a supportive, growth-oriented coaching style

• High level of professionalism, adhering to USA Swimming, Arizona Swimming, and Safe Sport policies.

• Proficiency with swim operations platforms (SportsEngine, Meet Manager, etc.)

• Maintain all required USA Swimming credentials, including Background Check, Athlete Protection Training, Safety Training, and CPR.

Lead Age Group Coach Responsibilities

Team Development

• Oversee all levels of the Ford Age Group Swim Program; lead the Raptor and Mustang training groups

• Develop, execute and oversee Age Group development pathways in collaboration with Head Coach (e.g., skill and performance progressions, group advancement criteria) for all age group training groups/swimmers

  • Champion swimmer retention and long-term engagement through age-appropriate, technique-focused, and motivational coaching.

  • Conduct swimmer evaluations and goal-setting meetings, every season, for swimmers and parents, providing feedback and reinforcement for improvement. 

  • Track swimmers’ progress, goals, and attendance

• Promote a culture of respect, inclusivity, and team spirit among swimmers, coaches, and families

• Coach at local and travel meets, including: AZ Regionals, Age Group State, SWAGR and beyond

Communication

• Maintain healthy professional relationship with the Head Coach marked by timely and appropriate written, spoken, and electronic communication

• Foster clear, consistent communication within age group staff and across all levels of the team

• Be accessible to athletes and families via email and cell

Operations

• Lead Ford Age Group coaching staff

  • Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, and a growth mindset.

  • Supervise, mentor, and evaluate assistant coaches, ensuring consistent technical standards and athlete support across all squads.

• Enforce expectations set by Head Coach for training group culture, behavior management, and conflict resolution, and provide guidance or correction, as needed

• Contact and update Head Coach regularly regarding programming

• Assist the Head Coach in a variety of administrative tasks, as needed (eg. billing, registration, meet entries, weekly newsletter contributions, travel meet arrangements, Ford hosted meet planning and execution, website and social media updates and maintenance, etc.)

• Administer and enforce team policies and procedures with general membership and coaching staff