MS Unified Sports/Special Olympics Coach

Des Moines Public School District•Des Moines, IA

16d

About The Position

The mission of Unified Sports/Special Olympics Coach is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competitions in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disability, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Requirements

Current Class A Volunteer Status through Special Olympics
Current certificate of concussion training
Current coaching certification through Special Olympics for at least 3 sports (specific to the sports assigned to coach in this position)

Nice To Haves

Experience working with students with disabilities

Responsibilities

Know each athlete different abilities and challenges
Identify each athlete’s ability to develop the skills necessary for sport participation.
Teach and train athletes
Determine the training sequence needed in order for athletes to learn the skills to play the sport
Use effective communication skills.
Identify behavior challenges and effective strategies to improve learning
Demonstrate and reinforce good sportsmanship and respect for the sport, competition, officials, opponents, teammates, coaches, and self.
Commit to and reinforce athletes’ striving to do their best during training and competition
Provide opportunities for athletes to demonstrate self-confidence, self-sufficiency, and independence
Focus on rewarding efforts, positive attitudes, and goals achieved.
Use an individual athlete development plan and competition to measure success and identify areas for improvement
Manage the Program Define your responsibilities as a Special Olympics coach.
Describe the range of preparations and their importance—season planning, practice planning, and developing individual athlete plans.
Identify the importance of managing relationships—with parents, other coaches, and other volunteers involved in the program.
Provide a safe environment, including provisions for emergencies and minor injuries.
Attend work on a prompt and regular basis.
Maintain confidentiality.
Maintain satisfactory and harmonious working relationships with the public, students, and other employees.
Assist with other duties as may be assigned.