Position Title: Head Swim Coach

Position Type: Full Time, Salaried ($50,000+)

Reports To: LCAT Board of Directors

Location: Las Cruces, NM

 Compensation: Competitive salary starting at $50,000+, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Additional compensation considerations may include retention bonuses and performance-based incentives approved by the LCAT Board of Directors. Benefits are negotiable, but may include health club memberships, paid lane space for private lessons, and contributions toward health insurance.

Position Overview

Las Cruces Aquatic Team seeks an experienced and enthusiastic Head Coach for a full-time position in sunny Las Cruces, New Mexico. The team has approximately 100 year-round swimmers from developmental through elite. We are seeking a Head Coach to lead all aspects of our swimming program and grow our team while maintaining a positive, athlete-centered environment that fosters hard work, team unity, and a love of the sport.

The Head Coach is the primary leader of the LCAT competitive swim program and is responsible for directing all levels of swim programming; creating seasonal training plans; managing, training, and evaluating assistant coaches; providing clear and effective communication with swimmers and their families; and ensuring a positive, inclusive, and safe environment for swimmers of all ages and abilities.

Key Responsibilities

Coaching & Athlete Development

·        Develop and oversee a comprehensive, long-term training program that incorporates age-appropriate progression in stroke technique, endurance, race strategy, and overall athlete development.

·        Directly coach assigned training groups, including the Senior group, while providing mentorship, guidance, and oversight to assistant coaches across all program levels.

·        Integrate holistic athlete development practices, including dryland training, injury prevention, nutrition awareness, and mental skills training, to support long-term performance and well-being.

·        Lead individualized goal-setting processes for athletes, regularly evaluating progress and aligning training plans with each swimmer’s developmental stage and competitive objectives.

·        Establish and model a consistent, constructive feedback system that reinforces effort and achievement while clearly identifying opportunities for growth and technical improvement.

·        Plan, lead, and supervise daily practices and competitions, including weekends and travel meets, ensuring high standards of preparation, organization, and athlete support.

·        Cultivate a positive, inclusive team culture that promotes sportsmanship, accountability, self-discipline, and a healthy competitive environment aligned with the club’s mission and values.

Meet Management & Administration

·        Develop and manage the seasonal competition schedule in collaboration with the Board of Directors.

·        Oversee all aspects of meet entry and registration, utilizing meet management software to ensure accuracy and timeliness.

·        Maintain accurate and up-to-date team records, including athlete attendance, performance data, and progression tracking, to inform coaching decisions and long-term planning.

·        Coordinate effectively with pool and facility personnel to schedule practices, ensuring efficient use of space and compliance with facility policies.

·        Monitor and document pool usage and assistant coach hours to support budgeting, payroll accuracy, and resource allocation.

·        Collaborate with Board of Directors to ensure organizational compliance with league and governing body requirements, including meet deadlines, athlete registrations, and reporting standards.

Staff Management & Leadership

·        Lead the recruitment, training, and retention of assistant coaches, ensuring staff align with the club’s mission, values, and athlete development philosophy.

·        Develop and manage coaching staff schedules, effectively delegating responsibilities to support all training groups and operational needs while maintaining appropriate coach-to-athlete ratios.

·        Provide clear leadership and direction through regular staff meetings and communication, ensuring consistency in coaching philosophy, practice standards, and team messaging across all levels of the program.

·        Foster a collaborative and professional coaching environment that encourages continuous learning, accountability, and shared commitment to athlete success.

·        Deliver ongoing mentorship, instruction, and constructive feedback, supporting the professional growth and technical development of coaching staff.

·        Conduct formal and informal performance evaluations, setting expectations, recognizing achievements, and addressing areas for improvement in alignment with organizational goals.

Community Engagement & Compliance

·        Serve as the primary liaison among coaching staff, families, and the Board of Directors, fostering transparent, professional, and timely communication across all stakeholders.

·        Establish and maintain consistent communication with families, providing clear updates on practices, competitions, athlete expectations, and program initiatives through multiple platforms.

·        Develop and distribute a quarterly team newsletter highlighting athlete achievements, program updates, upcoming events, and organizational priorities.

·        Promote and represent the swim program within the local community, supporting outreach, recruitment, and retention efforts to strengthen team growth and visibility.

·        Ensure full compliance with all applicable safety standards and governing body regulations, maintaining accurate documentation and adherence to best practices.

·        Actively champion athlete safety and well-being, demonstrating comprehensive knowledge of USA Swimming Safe Sport policies and embedding these principles into all aspects of the program’s culture and operations.

Qualifications & Requirements

·        Coaching Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of competitive swim coaching experience required; prior head coaching or lead coach experience strongly preferred. Demonstrated success in developing athletes to USA Swimming Sectionals level or higher.

·        Certifications & Memberships: Must be a USA Swimming Coach Member in good standing and maintain all required certifications, including but not limited to Safety Training for Swim Coaches, CPR/AED, and Athlete Protection Training (APT).

·        Professional Development: ASCA level 2 certification (or higher) strongly preferred, or a demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development within USA Swimming and/or American Swimming Coaches Association standards.

·        Technical Skills: Proficiency with swim team management and meet entry platforms (e.g., HY-TEK, Team Unify/Sports Engine) and the ability to analyze performance data to inform training decisions.

·        Core competencies: Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and athlete development skills, with the ability to motivate swimmers across all age groups and ability levels while fostering a positive, team-centered environment.

·        Availability: Must be available for a flexible work schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and travel for competitions as required by the seasonal schedule.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

·       Work Environment: Must be able to work on the pool deck for extended periods in varying environmental conditions, including high humidity, heat, and outdoor weather elements as applicable.

·       Physical Requirements: Must be capable of standing for prolonged periods; demonstrating swim strokes, drills, and techniques; and safely lifting, carrying, and moving swim equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.

This job description is not intended to provide a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

To apply, please submit your cover letter, resume, and complete contact information for at least three references via email to lascrucesaquaticclub@gmail.com

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

 Note: Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

About Las Cruces, NM:

 Las Cruces, the second-largest city in New Mexico, is in the southern region of the state at the intersection of I10 and I25 and less than an hour from El Paso, TX. Situated in the scenic Mesilla Valley between the Rio Grande and the Organ Mountains, the community offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage.

With approximately 320 days of sunshine annually and an elevation of 3,900 feet, Las Cruces provides an ideal year-round environment for outdoor recreation. The region is known for its vibrant arts and music scene, rich history, and diverse culinary traditions rooted in local culture. In addition, Las Cruces offers a relatively low cost of living compared to national averages, making it an attractive and affordable place for individuals and families to live, work, and train.