Girls on the Run of San Diego
Coach
Coaching a Girls on the Run program is the most rewarding way to get involved with Girls on the Run. You get to experience the program first hand, feel a sense of accomplishment that you have made a difference in the lives of the girls and have a ton of fun with your team of coaches and incredible girls!
Head Coach
Assistant Coach
Junior Coach
Next Steps
Head Coach
The Head Coach is a volunteer position that works with a team of coaches to facilitate the Girls on the Run curriculum to program participants. This position works closely with the San Diego Council Director and entails approximately 4 hours per week with additional time required on two to three weekend days for: a one day training; a community race event; and for First Aid/CPR training, if necessary. This position can be split with another head coach.
Major responsibilities include: preparing, organizing, and supervising the weekly lessons; leading the program participants through each lesson; serving as a role model and mentor; coaching program participants on proper stretching, running form, hydration and sports nutrition; attending a community running race with program participants and other volunteers; attending 2-3 coaches meetings with the Director during the season; interacting with parents of program participants; understanding and believing in the mission of the organization and acting as a spokesperson for the program.
This volunteer position may be used as a service learning project, internship, or other college credit project upon agreement of the college/university and Director.
Qualifications
- A strong desire to work in the field of girl development
- Experience working with youth
- Excellent communication skills
- The ability to be flexible and to improvise when needed
- To inspire and motivate others to believe in the Girls on the Run mission
- High organizational skills
- The ability to recognize conflict and have the skills to help resolve it
- The capacity to work in a partnership with a co-coach and/or assistant coaches
- First Aid/CPR certification
Experience
The ideal candidate will have the following experiences:
- Has athletic experience
- Has volunteered in direct service organizations
- Has awareness of the common and different needs of girls
Commitment
Commitment and consistency is critical to the success of the Girls on the Run program. Head coach commitment expectations are:
Prior to season start:
- Five hours of coach training (based on GOTR® curriculum).
- Two hours to meet with co-coaches and school/program site liaison.
During season:
- Thirty hours of practice over a twelve week period.
- About four hours per week of lesson prep time and commuting.
- About five hours for the season ending 5k run.
Assistant Coach
The Assistant Coach is a volunteer position that assists the Head Coach(s) at a Girls on the Run program site. This is a perfect opportunity for women who can’t make the twice-weekly time commitment to be a head coach! The position entails approximately 1.5-3 hours per week for 12 weeks. Assistant Coaches can choose to attend both program sessions per week OR commit to only one day a week. We ask each Assistant Coach to determine which schedule works best for them and to maintain that schedule throughout the program for consistency on behalf of the girls. While the Assistant Coach is not responsible for facilitating the Girls on the Run curriculum, they are there to support the Head Coach and program participants in many ways.
This volunteer position may be used as a service learning project, internship, or other college credit project upon agreement of the college/university and Director.
Core Duties/Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned)
- Attend program session on selected day(s) on a consistent basis
- Serve as a role model and mentor for program participants
- Assist coaches with setting up/breaking down games and lessons
- Help prepare post-workout snack
- Encourage and cheer for all participants
- Participate in games and workouts with the girls as needed by the coaches
- Attend a community running race with coaches, program participants and other volunteers
- Understand and believe in the mission of Girls on the Run
- Special projects as assigned
Qualifications:
- A strong commitment to girls’ positive development
- Excellent verbal communication skills
- Experience working with youth a plus
- Flexible / ability to accommodate to a changing environment
Commitment
Commitment and consistency is critical to the success of the Girls on the Run program. Assistant coach commitment expectations are:
Prior to season start:
- Five hours of coach training (based on GOTR® curriculum).
- Two hours to meet with co-coaches and school/program site liaison.
During season:
- Fifteen hours of practice over a twelve week period.
- About two hours per week of lesson prep time and commuting.
- About five hours for the season ending 5k run.
Junior Coach
Junior Coaches are high school girls who assist a Girls on the Run team by helping with the program at each session and serving as a positive role model for younger girls. The position entails approximately 1.5 hours per week for 12 weeks. Junior Coaches can choose to attend one day a week or one day every other week. We ask each Junior Coach to determine what schedule works best for them and to maintain that schedule throughout the program for consistency on behalf of the girls.
This volunteer position may be used as a service learning project/high school community service credit project, internship, or other college/high school credit project upon agreement of the school and Director.
Core Duties/Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned)
- Attend program session on selected day(s) on a consistent basis
- Serve as a role model and mentor for program participants
- Assist coaches with setting up/breaking down games and lessons
- Help prepare post-workout snack
- Encourage and cheer for all participants
- Participate in games and workouts with the girls as needed by the coaches
- Attend a community running race with coaches, program participants and other volunteers
- Understand and believe in the mission of Girls on the Run
- Special projects as assigned
Qualifications:
- High school student
- Experience working with youth a plus
- Flexible / ability to accommodate to a changing environment
Commitment
Commitment and consistency is critical to the success of the Girls on the Run program. Junior coach commitment expectations are:
Prior to season start:
- Five hours of coach training (based on GOTR® curriculum).
- Two hours to meet with co-coaches and school/program site liaison.
During season:
- Fifteen hours of practice over a twelve week period.
- About two hours per week of lesson prep time and commuting.
- About five hours for the season ending 5k run.
Next Steps
Review the details and level of commitment above and be honest with yourself and decide if you have the time to take on a GOTR coach position. If you do, here are the next steps:
- Complete and submit a coach application.
- Undergo a background check. Instructions will be given after we receive your application.
- Sign up for one of the coach training sessions. Instructions will be given after we receive your application and we are planning for the upcoming season.
We will get in touch with you about our current coaching needs. To see the locations and times of the group meetings, look at the table on the registration page.
