Description
LEAD SWIM COACH
Job Description
The Lead Coach is responsible for the daily coaching, instruction, supervision, and development of assigned training groups. Working under the direction of the Head Coach/Competitive Aquatics Director, the Lead Coach will create a positive, challenging, and inclusive environment in which swimmers can improve their technique, build confidence, develop strong training habits, and pursue their individual and team goals.
The ideal candidate understands that successful age-group coaching involves more than writing workouts. The Lead Coach will build meaningful relationships with athletes, communicate effectively with families, collaborate with fellow coaches, and model the YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
Primary Responsibilities
Coaching and Athlete Development
Plan and conduct organized, developmentally appropriate practices for assigned training groups.
Teach and reinforce proper technique in all four competitive strokes, starts, turns, finishes, and underwater skills.
Develop season plan with Competitive Aquatics Director
Design workouts that reflect the age, ability, developmental needs, and competitive goals of the athletes.
Provide athletes with clear, specific, and constructive feedback.
Help swimmers develop strong practice habits, goal-setting skills, accountability, resilience, and sportsmanship.
Promote athlete retention by creating a welcoming, engaging, and supportive team environment.
Practice Leadership and Supervision
Arrive prepared and on time for all assigned practices, meets, meetings, and team events.
Take attendance and maintain accurate group records as required.
Provide active supervision of swimmers before, during, and immediately following practice.
Ensure that practices are safe, organized, purposeful, and appropriate for the assigned group.
Maintain consistent behavioral expectations and address concerns calmly, fairly, and professionally.
Assist with equipment setup, organization, and storage.
Coordinate with other coaches when training groups share pool space or participate in combined practices.
Swim Meet Responsibilities
Attend assigned dual meets, championship meets, invitational meets, and team events.
Prepare swimmers for competition by reviewing goals, race strategies, warm-up procedures, and meet expectations.
Supervise athletes during warm-up, competition, and cool-down.
Provide appropriate pre-race and post-race feedback.
Help athletes understand that meet performance is part of the developmental process and not the sole measure of success.
Assist with relay selection, meet entries, event recommendations, and other competitive decisions as directed by the Head Coach.
Support the efficient operation of team-hosted meets and encourage parent volunteer participation.
Maintain professional conduct and demonstrate respect toward athletes, families, officials, volunteers, opposing teams, and facility staff.
Communication and Parent Relationships
Communicate regularly and professionally with swimmers and families regarding group expectations, athlete development, schedules, meets, and team procedures.
Respond to parent questions within a reasonable timeframe and refer significant concerns to the Head Coach when appropriate.
Provide honest, constructive, and developmentally appropriate feedback about swimmer progress.
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries in all communication with athletes and families.
Use only approved team and YMCA communication platforms.
Participate in group meetings, parent meetings, athlete conferences, and seasonal evaluations as requested.
Communicate scheduling conflicts, attendance concerns, injuries, behavioral issues, and other significant matters promptly to the Head Coach.
Staff Collaboration and Program Support
Work collaboratively with the Head Coach, assistant coaches, YMCA leadership, officials, volunteers, and support staff.
Follow the training philosophy, technical language, group standards, and seasonal goals established for the Mariners program.
Participate in staff meetings, professional development, planning sessions, and coach evaluations.
Share observations about swimmer progress, group needs, and program operations.
Support transitions between training groups by helping swimmers develop the skills and habits required for advancement.
Assist other training groups and coaches when needed.
Contribute positively to team activities, special events, fundraising efforts, community service projects, and recognition programs.
Represent the Mariners and the Madison Area YMCA professionally within the local and broader swimming community.
Safety, Compliance, and Athlete Protection
Maintain all required certifications and complete all YMCA, USA Swimming, Safe Sport, and background-screening requirements.
Follow all YMCA, USA Swimming, New Jersey Swimming, facility, and team safety policies.
Maintain active supervision and remain attentive throughout practices and meets.
Immediately report injuries, safety concerns, policy violations, or suspected misconduct according to established procedures.
Enforce locker room, bathroom, electronic communication, photography, and cell phone policies.
Ensure that only authorized and properly credentialed individuals are permitted in restricted areas.
Know the identity and responsibilities of the Safety Marshal and other designated safety personnel at competitions.
Complete incident reports and other required documentation promptly and accurately.
Maintain athlete confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
Support a team culture in which athletes feel safe, respected, included, and comfortable reporting concerns.
The Lead Coach will be evaluated based on:
Quality, organization, and effectiveness of practices.
Athlete safety and supervision.
Swimmer skill development and progress.
Athlete engagement, attendance, and retention.
Professional communication with swimmers, families, and staff.
Reliability and preparedness.
Collaboration with the coaching staff.
Compliance with YMCA, USA Swimming, Safe Sport, and team policies.
Contribution to a positive, inclusive, and team-centered culture.
Support of the overall mission and goals of the Madison Area YMCA Mariners.
Our Coaching Philosophy
The Mariners are committed to developing the whole athlete. We strive to help swimmers become technically proficient, physically prepared, confident, accountable, and supportive teammates.
We believe that athletes develop at different rates and that meaningful progress should be recognized at every level. Coaches are expected to challenge swimmers while maintaining an environment grounded in safety, belonging, encouragement, and respect.
Abuse Prevention Responsibilities
All employees are expected to maintain boundaries, follow mandated reporting requirements, and uphold our policies and procedures to protect youth and participants. This includes attending required training, reporting suspicious or inappropriate behaviors, and adhering to procedures that minimize risk. Supervisors are also responsible for providing oversight, feedback, and accountability to ensure staff and volunteers follow these standards. Our organization is committed to creating a safe environment.
Requirements
Required Qualifications
Competitive swimming, swim coaching, or aquatic instruction experience.
Strong knowledge of stroke technique, starts, turns, training principles, and age-group swimmer development.
Ability to lead groups of swimmers with varying abilities, needs, and experience levels.
Strong communication, organization, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative coaching staff.
Professional judgment, reliability, patience, and enthusiasm.
Ability to work early mornings, evenings, and weekends as required by the team schedule.
Ability to attend assigned competitions and team events.
Current or obtainable USA Swimming coaching credentials.
Current or obtainable certifications in CPR, First Aid, Safety Training for Swim Coaches, and Athlete Protection Training.
ASCA Level 2 certified or willing to obtain ASCA Level 2 certification within the first year of employment.
Successful completion of all required YMCA and USA Swimming background checks and training.
Preferred
Previous experience as a lead age-group or senior-level swim coach.
Experience developing swimmers across multiple competitive levels.
Knowledge of TeamUnify, SportsEngine, Meet Manager, Team Manager, or similar swim-team platforms.
Experience with meet entries, seasonal planning, athlete goal setting, and swimmer evaluations.
Physical and Scheduling Requirements
Ability to remain on the pool deck for extended periods.
Ability to work 3-5 nights a week
Ability to lift and move standard aquatic training equipment.
Availability for evening practices, weekend meets, championship competitions, staff meetings, and occasional special events.
Performance Expectations
