Weightlifting Coach

The Guadalupe Centers Charter Schools serves approximately 1,600 students from PreK-12 and is a free, open-enrollment public charter school. Over 92% of our students are Latinx. Our school system consists of Guadalupe Centers High School, Guadalupe Centers Middle School, and Guadalupe Centers Elementary School. Our system grew out of Guadalupe Centers’ educational programming. Guadalupe Centers is the longest continuously operating agency serving the Latinx community in the United States since 1919. Our roots in our community run deep.

There are many benefits to working at GCCS, with some of them being:

Students and Families: GCCS staff strive to form strong relationships with our students and their families. Our organization grew out of Guadalupe Centers, the longest continuously operating agency serving the Latinx community in the United States. These community ties are integral to who we are.
Staff Autonomy: Staff at GCCS appreciate having the autonomy to use proven and innovative approaches while supporting students. The experience of our staff is valued, and employees are encouraged to collaborate and share best practices.
Coaching and Development: GCCS staff collaborate with leaders and colleagues around professional growth and development. Staff members are aligned in supporting student achievement, personal development, and the mission of Guadalupe Centers Charter Schools.

Position Summary

Guadalupe Centers Charter Schools is seeking a knowledgeable, safety-focused, and student-centered Weightlifting Coach to lead and supervise the district's student weightlifting program.

This is a stipend-based extracurricular assignment responsible for providing students with structured instruction in proper weightlifting techniques, strength development, conditioning, equipment use, and safe training practices.

The Weightlifting Coach is expected to create a positive, inclusive, and appropriately supervised environment in which student-athletes can develop strength, confidence, discipline, sportsmanship, and healthy training habits.

The coach works under the direction of the Athletic Director and/or designated school administrator and must follow all applicable GCCS policies and procedures, Missouri requirements, and applicable athletic association rules and regulations.

Reports To: Athletic Director and/or Designated School Administrator

The Weightlifting Coach is responsible for the supervision of participating student-athletes during all assigned program activities.

Essential Responsibilities

Plan, organize, supervise, and conduct weightlifting practices, workouts, conditioning sessions, and other scheduled program activities.
Teach student-athletes proper weightlifting techniques, including safe lifting mechanics, spotting procedures, warm-up and cool-down practices, and appropriate use of strength-training equipment.
Develop age-, ability-, and developmentally appropriate strength and conditioning activities for participating students.
Provide appropriate instruction, supervision, and feedback to students to promote skill development and reduce the risk of injury.
Maintain active supervision of students at all times during practices, workouts, competitions, travel, and other program-related activities.
Ensure that students use weight-room facilities and equipment appropriately and safely.
Inspect the weight room and equipment regularly and immediately report damaged, unsafe, or malfunctioning equipment to the Athletic Director or appropriate administrator.
Establish and enforce appropriate safety expectations, weight-room procedures, and standards of student conduct.
Maintain appropriate student participation, attendance, emergency, and other program records as required by GCCS.
Follow applicable procedures regarding student eligibility, participation, medical clearance, emergency information, and other athletic requirements.
Respond appropriately to injuries and emergencies and follow GCCS procedures for reporting student injuries, accidents, safety concerns, and other incidents.
Maintain current required First Aid, CPR, and AED certification and follow GCCS emergency response procedures.
Promote proper hydration, recovery, conditioning, and healthy training practices and discourage unsafe weightlifting practices, excessive training, inappropriate supplementation, or other behaviors that may jeopardize student health and safety.
Foster an environment emphasizing respect, teamwork, perseverance, accountability, discipline, sportsmanship, and personal growth.
Serve as a positive role model and maintain professional and appropriate relationships with student-athletes.
Communicate appropriately and professionally with students, parents/guardians, administrators, teachers, athletic staff, and other stakeholders.
Support students in balancing athletic participation with academic expectations and school responsibilities.
Ensure that all student-athletes are treated equitably and that the program maintains an inclusive environment free from discrimination, harassment, hazing, bullying, retaliation, and inappropriate conduct.
Follow GCCS policies regarding student supervision, professional boundaries, confidentiality, mandated reporting, school safety, transportation, facilities, and student conduct.
Attend meetings, trainings, competitions, events, and other activities associated with the assignment as required.
Coordinate schedules, facility use, equipment needs, and program activities with the Athletic Director and/or designated administrator.
Maintain appropriate control, inventory, storage, and care of GCCS equipment and supplies assigned to the program.
Represent Guadalupe Centers Charter Schools professionally at all practices, events, competitions, and school-sponsored activities.
Follow all applicable GCCS policies and procedures and applicable federal, state, local, DESE, and athletic association requirements.
Perform other duties reasonably related to the weightlifting program as assigned by the Athletic Director or school administration.

Qualifications and Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Previous experience in weightlifting, strength and conditioning, athletic coaching, personal training, physical education, or a related area strongly preferred.
Demonstrated knowledge of proper weightlifting techniques, strength-training principles, conditioning, spotting procedures, equipment use, and injury-prevention practices.
Experience working with middle and/or high school students preferred.
Ability to appropriately supervise, motivate, instruct, and build positive relationships with student-athletes.
Strong communication, organizational, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
Ability to work collaboratively with the Athletic Director, administrators, coaching staff, teachers, families, and other GCCS personnel.
Must maintain required First Aid, CPR, and AED certification throughout the assignment.
Must successfully complete all GCCS employment, background screening, fingerprinting, training, and other clearance requirements applicable to the position.
Must complete any required concussion, student safety, mandated reporting, emergency response, or other training designated by GCCS or applicable governing authorities.
Must comply with all applicable GCCS Board policies, administrative procedures, athletic department expectations, and applicable Missouri requirements.
Must be available outside the regular school day for practices, meetings, competitions, events, and other activities associated with the assignment.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in physical education, exercise science, kinesiology, sports management, athletic training, education, or a related field.
Previous coaching experience in a school-based athletic program.
Current or previous Missouri educator certification.
Recognized strength and conditioning, personal training, or weightlifting certification from a nationally recognized organization.
Experience developing strength and conditioning programs for adolescent athletes.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to traverse athletic facilities, weight rooms, school buildings, and other areas associated with practices and events.
Prolonged periods of standing, walking, bending, and moving throughout practices and training sessions.
Must be able to demonstrate or assist with appropriate weightlifting and conditioning techniques.
Must be able to lift, move, or assist with athletic equipment and weights of at least 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Must be able to respond promptly to student safety concerns and emergency situations.
Must be able to work in environments that may include moderate to high noise levels and varying temperatures.

Work Schedule and Compensation

This position is a stipend-based extracurricular assignment and does not constitute a separate full-time teaching or administrative position.

The work schedule is based upon the approved weightlifting program schedule and may include before-school and/or after-school practices, competitions, meetings, events, and other program-related responsibilities.

The stipend amount and payment schedule will be established by Guadalupe Centers Charter Schools in accordance with the approved extracurricular stipend schedule and applicable GCCS procedures.

Receipt of the full stipend is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the assignment and all required responsibilities.

Application Process

Please complete an application, which may be found at www.gck12.org/o/gc/page/work-for-gccs. If a position requires a degree, please upload a copy of transcripts and/or degree certification to your application. Other attachments, such as a cover letter or resume, may also be uploaded and attached to the application.

Guadalupe Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer and fully and actively supports equal access for all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Guadalupe Centers prohibits retaliation against individuals who make a good-faith complaint, participate in an investigation, or otherwise exercise rights protected by law.