Team: Kent Gardens Dolphins

Position: Assistant Head Coach

Job Description: 

The Kent Gardens Dolphins, an NVSL Division 3 neighborhood swim team, is currently accepting applications for the position of Assistant Head Coach for the 2025 summer swim season. The Dolphins are a large(ish) swim team, consisting of approximately 200 regular swim team members (ages 6-18) and 40 Mini Dolphins (ages 3-6) who live in northern Virginia's McLean and Arlington communities.

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic assistant coach with strong stroke development and technical skills, a team-focused attitude, and a passion for working with swimmers of all ability levels. This individual would be responsible for managing Kent Gardens’ team of junior/volunteer coaches, so experience managing and mentoring junior coaches is essential.

The Kent Gardens swim program starts the Monday before Memorial Day weekend and runs through the last Saturday in July. The season starts with daily after-school practices for all age groups and shifts to morning and afternoon practices after the last day of school for Fairfax County. Kent Gardens also hosts a winter swim program every Sunday morning at Yorktown High School Pool. While not a requirement, it would be ideal of the candidate could attend some of the winter swim sessions, to gain familiarity with the team 

NVSL meets are held on Saturday mornings and developmental meets are held on Monday evenings, either at the Kent Gardens pool or other pools in northern Virginia. The head coach is expected to attend weekly practices and meets, as well as divisional meets, all-star meets, pep rallies, and other team events. 

Assistant Coach Responsibilities: 

• Instruct swimmers in correct stroke, turn, start, and finish techniques
• Ensure all swimmers receive constructive and appropriate feedback regarding performance and swim technique during practices and meets
• Manage the day-to-day responsibilities of the junior/volunteer coaches and establish accountability for satisfactory execution and completion
• Provide oversight and mentoring for the junior/volunteer coaches which includes execution of tasks related to: swim practices, swim meets, and all team related activities
• Prepare for all meets, collaborating as needed with the coaching staff to determine swimmer eligibility and meet seeding
• Attend time trials, all NVSL and developmental meets, pep rallies, and some social events
• Cultivate team spirit by collaborating with the coaching staff to coordinate cheers, celebrate swimmer achievements, and find creative ways to have FUN as a team
• Maintain effective communications and working relationships with the swim team representatives
• Maintain a supportive attitude and an open line of communication with swimmers and parents.

Requirements: 

> Previous assistant coaching experience or extensive junior coaching experience

> Previous competitive swimming experience 

> Experience working with children of all ages and ability levels 

> Strong knowledge of NVSL and USA swimming rules 

> Exceptional personnel management

> Exceptional communication, organization, leadership, and collaboration skills

> Commitment to fostering a sense of community and good sportsmanship among all swimmers

> Current lifeguard certification 

> Current pool operator certification

How to apply: 

Interested applicants should submit resume, references, and salary requirements via email to the Kent Gardens team representatives at swim@kentgardens.org