Lead Age Group Coach

Part-Time or Full-Time Opportunity
Coast Guard Blue Dolphins (CGBD) | Hampton Roads / Newport News, Virginia

Coast Guard Blue Dolphins (CGBD) is seeking a motivated, knowledgeable, and athlete-centered Lead Age Group Coach to join our coaching staff. This position will primarily lead our middle school–aged competitive swimmers (approximately ages 11–14) and play an important role in preparing athletes for progression into our Senior programs.

We are open to hiring this position as either part-time or full-time. For a qualified candidate who has the experience and ability to contribute to both our coaching program and administrative operations, this position can be full-time immediately.

For someone who is a strong coaching fit but is seeking part-time employment, we are also happy to structure the position as a part-time lead coaching role with the possibility of expanding responsibilities in the future.

About Coast Guard Blue Dolphins

Coast Guard Blue Dolphins is a year-round USA Swimming program serving athletes throughout the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. Entering our 62nd season, CGBD provides programming from learn-to-swim through high-level competitive swimming.

Our program is built around the values of:

Excellence • Integrity • Unity • Commitment • Fun

We believe the middle school years are one of the most important stages of competitive swimmer development. Our goal is to provide athletes with the technical foundation, training habits, confidence, accountability, and love of the sport necessary to successfully transition into senior swimming.

We are looking for a coach who understands that developing successful swimmers at this age is about much more than writing workouts. Building relationships, teaching athletes how to train, developing strong technique, communicating with families, and creating an environment where young athletes want to work hard and remain in the sport are all important parts of this position.

Position Responsibilities

The Lead Age Group Coach will have primary responsibility for an assigned middle school training group while working collaboratively with CGBD's coaching and administrative staff.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead and manage daily practices for middle school–aged competitive swimmers

• Develop and implement age-appropriate workouts within CGBD's overall seasonal training plan

• Provide strong technical instruction in all four competitive strokes, starts, turns, underwater skills, and racing strategies

• Develop swimmers' aerobic capacity, speed, strength, technique, and racing skills in an age-appropriate manner

• Establish individual and group goals and monitor athlete progression

• Create a positive training environment that balances hard work, accountability, development, and fun

• Build strong, appropriate relationships with athletes and help them develop confidence and independence

• Communicate effectively and professionally with athletes and parents

• Attend assigned meets, including championship and travel competitions

• Assist with meet entries, event selection, and athlete preparation as appropriate

• Collaborate with coaches across CGBD's developmental, age-group, and senior programs

• Help prepare swimmers for successful advancement into CGBD's Senior training groups

• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, and team activities

• Support the overall mission, policies, and culture of CGBD

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates should have:

• Previous competitive swimming coaching experience

• Strong knowledge of competitive swimming technique and athlete development

• Experience working with age-group swimmers; experience with middle school–aged athletes is strongly preferred

• Ability to independently lead and manage a competitive training group

• Ability to write and implement effective, age-appropriate practices

• Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills

• Ability to communicate professionally with athletes, parents, staff, and team leadership

• Availability for afternoon/evening practices and assigned weekend meets

• Reliable transportation to CGBD practice and competition locations

• Ability to obtain and maintain all required USA Swimming coach membership requirements, certifications, background screening, Athlete Protection Training, and other required credentials

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States and able to provide documentation establishing employment eligibility as required by federal law

• CGBD is unable to provide employment visa sponsorship for this position

Current USA Swimming coach membership and certifications are preferred but may be completed prior to beginning employment for an otherwise qualified candidate.

Preferred Qualifications

We would especially like to hear from candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Leading an age-group competitive training group

• Developing 11–14-year-old swimmers

• Seasonal planning and workout development

• Preparing swimmers for championship-level competition

• Meet entries and event selection

• Athlete goal setting and progression planning

• Dryland or age-appropriate strength and conditioning

• ASCA education or certification

• Previous competitive swimming experience

• Swim team or nonprofit administration

• Program development or management

• Parent and member communication

A college degree is not required. We value demonstrated coaching ability, technical knowledge, professionalism, communication skills, and the ability to connect with and develop young athletes.

Part-Time Opportunity

Candidates interested primarily in coaching are encouraged to apply for the part-time Lead Age Group Coach position.

The part-time position will primarily include weekday afternoon/evening practices, designated weekend practices, swim meets, staff meetings, and other responsibilities associated with leading the assigned training group.

This is a lead coaching position, not an assistant coaching position. The successful candidate should be prepared to take ownership of the day-to-day development and training of their assigned group while collaborating within CGBD's overall coaching structure.

There is potential for the part-time position to grow as the coach's responsibilities and involvement with CGBD expand.

Immediate Full-Time Opportunity

For a candidate with the appropriate experience, qualifications, availability, and interest, this position can begin as a full-time position immediately.

The full-time role would combine Lead Age Group Coach responsibilities with additional administrative and program responsibilities.

A full-time candidate should be comfortable working collaboratively with CGBD's administrative team and contributing to the day-to-day operation of a year-round aquatics organization.

Depending on the candidate's experience and strengths, additional responsibilities could include:

• Program administration and organization

• Membership and parent communication

• Meet and team administration

• Registration and athlete records

• Scheduling and program coordination

• Team events and activities

• Staff coordination

• Program development

• Other operational responsibilities based on the needs of CGBD and the strengths of the successful candidate

We are open to shaping the administrative portion of the position around the strengths, experience, and interests of the right person.

What We Are Looking For

Above all, we are looking for someone who wants to invest in athletes and become part of CGBD's long-term future.

The ideal candidate will be a coach who can challenge middle school athletes while keeping them engaged and excited about swimming. They should understand how to develop swimmers for the next level without rushing the developmental process.

We especially value someone who is:

• Dependable and organized

• Positive and energetic on deck

• Comfortable holding athletes accountable

• Collaborative and team-oriented

• Willing to learn and continue developing professionally

• A strong communicator

• Comfortable receiving and providing feedback

• Interested in being part of a coaching team

• Invested in building a positive team culture

Compensation

Competitive and commensurate with experience, qualifications, certifications, employment status, and assigned responsibilities.

Compensation for a full-time position will reflect the expanded coaching and administrative responsibilities of the role.

To Apply

Interested candidates should email the following:

• Completed application

• Current CV or resume

Please indicate whether you are interested in the part-time position, full-time position, or either opportunity.

Applicants interested in the full-time position are encouraged to highlight any relevant administrative, program management, communication, organizational, or nonprofit experience.

Application materials should be emailed to:

dolphinswims@cgbdswim.org

Applications will be reviewed as received, and the position will remain open until filled.

Learn More About CGBD

We encourage prospective candidates to learn more about Coast Guard Blue Dolphins, our programs, facilities, competitive structure, and team community before applying.

Website: www.cgbdswim.org

Coast Guard Blue Dolphins (CGBD)
Hampton Roads / Newport News, Virginia