About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

This position specifically supports the Department and University’s mission through recruiting, coaching, mentoring, and overseeing the women’s swimming & diving program.

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

This position specifically supports the Department and University’s mission through recruiting, coaching, mentoring, and overseeing the women’s swimming & diving program.

Essential Functions

Duties and Responsibilities

• Devotes full time, attention, and energies to their duties as head coach of the women’s swimming & diving team.
• Complies fully with the rules, regulations, and policies of the University, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and any and all conferences in which the women’s swimming & diving team participates, and takes every reasonable precaution to ensure that all members of the women’s swimming & diving staff and student athletes comply fully with such rules, regulations and policies. Head Coach understands they are subject to all applicable disciplinary or corrective actions as set forth in the NCAA enforcement procedures as they may be amended from time to time.
• Uses reasonable efforts to attract and enroll impact student-athletes that demonstrate significant contributions to their programs with appropriate academic, competitive, and community achievements. Creates a positive student-athlete experience and healthy team dynamics/culture that fosters high student-athlete retention.
• Uses reasonable efforts to foster excellence in academic performance, team and personal conduct of the women’s swimming & diving team’s student athletes.
• Uses reasonable efforts to cultivate a culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. Strives to recruit and retain student-athletes and staff with multifaceted backgrounds, skillsets, and passions.
• Uses reasonable efforts to foster success in competition of the women’s swimming & diving team.
• Responsible for submitting an annual women’s swimming & diving budget projection with the expectation of meeting said projections. The budget projection shall be submitted in writing and approved by the beginning of the fiscal year by the Director of Athletics or designee(s).
• Participates in external engagement activities, including regular external communications, with the expectation of contributing to positive alumni/ae relations and service to the community.
• Uses reasonable efforts in the selection, professional development, effectiveness and working relationship with assistant coaches and staff.
• Uses reasonable efforts to meet annual performance objectives established by the Director of Athletics or designee(s).
• Understands the University shall annually evaluate their performance based upon the performance of their duties and responsibilities stated herein.

Additional Department Expectations

• Ensures that proper safety procedures are followed by all student-athletes.
• Works with athletics trainers and physicians as needed to implement team wellness and conditioning programs.
• Provides direction to the Sports Performance coach as to the desired training goals.
• Responsible for working with all Athletic Department Offices in processing of administrative functions and paperwork related to overseeing the women’s swimming & diving program.
• Works with the Assistant AD for Facilities in the advising, planning, and implementation of pertinent facility management and maintenance for equipment and facilities.
• Responsible for the oversight and scheduling of contests.
• Attends conventions, conferences, and clinics consistent with Department and University policies.
• Serves on Department and University committees as assigned.
• As a member of a Division I program for the University of Massachusetts, head coaches need to represent their school and program in a manner that supports the mission of the university. Speaking engagements, instructional clinics, development efforts, and community relation programs need to reflect a professional and positive impression to the media or general public.
• Works with student-athletes and monitor their adherence to rules and regulations concerning conduct, appearance, and punctuality.

Other Functions

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor’s degree required from an accredited institution.
• Three to five years of women’s swimming & diving intercollegiate coaching experience.
• All head coaches must be certified in CPR and first aid.
• Ability to work weekends and nights.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of women’s swimming & diving methods and techniques of coaching.
• Working knowledge of rules and regulations governing intercollegiate athletics.
• Ability to foster and maintain working relationships with various athletic publics.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Master’s Degree from an accredited institution.
• Three to five years of women’s swimming & diving intercollegiate coaching at the Division I level.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Balancing, carrying, pulling, pushing, standing, repetitive movements, bending, travel to other campuses, climbing, reaching, sitting, twisting and lifting.

Work Schedule

• Varied schedule based on the demands of the position.
• Nights, weekends and holidays are required.

Salary Information

Salary commensurate with experience.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.