Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach and  Physical Education Teacher

Description: Exempt Position 

Reports to: Head Strength and Conditioning Coach and Physical Education Department Chair

William Penn Charter School is a Quaker, all gender, pre-K-12 independent day school, situated on a beautiful, 47-acre campus in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia. Established in 1689 by William Penn and members of the Religious Society of Friends, Penn Charter is a community guided by Quaker testimonies and the central belief that there is "that of God" in every person. A school community that honors difference, Penn Charter seeks to be a place where diversity is understood, represented and valued. Our curriculum embraces a plurality of cultures and celebrates an array of voices, instilling in us a deeper understanding and empathy for individuals in this community and the world. 

As our mission states, we value scholarship and inquiry. With excellence as our standard, we challenge students in a vigorous program of academics, arts and athletics. Through global connections, civic engagement and a focus on environmental sustainability, we inspire students to be thinkers, collaborators, innovators and leaders. We educate students to live lives that make a difference. 

Penn Charter has a rich and storied tradition of excellence in athletics and an enduring belief in the importance of sports and fitness to the health and wellbeing of all students. The Athletics program is an integral part of the educational program and our coaches support our athletic teams by providing quality instruction to student-athletes and working to develop the core values that stem from our beliefs and practices as a Quaker institution. Penn Charter is one of the original members of the Inter-Academic League, formed in 1887, and the Penn Charter Quakers are part of the oldest continuing prep school football rivalry in the US with Germantown Academy.  Winning countless championships, many graduates go on to play their sport in college (over the last five years, 30% of Penn Charter’s graduating seniors have gone on to play their chosen sport at the collegiate level), and some professionally. Skilled teachers and coaches help our students understand – whether on the playing field or in the classroom – how to collaborate and compete, how to win with grace, and how to handle challenges and setbacks. 

Open in 2021, the Graham Athletics and Wellness Center (88,000 sq. ft) is the hub for all Penn Charter student-athletes. Players utilize the state-of-the-art Blaine Fitness Center under the direction of three full-time strength and conditioning coaches to improve their athletic performance and build a strong foundation for a lifetime of wellness. Penn Charter’s three full-time athletic trainers utilize the latest treatment and rehabilitation techniques to return injured athletes to sports participation in the shortest but safest time frame, prioritizing their overall health and safety.

Position Summary

Penn Charter seeks an experienced, energetic and enthusiastic Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach and Physical Education Teacher to join our athletics and Physical Education departments. It is the expectation that all Penn Charter coaches, teachers and staff embody the mission and philosophy of the School, always demonstrating a primary focus on sportsmanship, modeling commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and demonstrating self-awareness in all interactions and relationships. In addition to working closely and compassionately with students and families, members of the athletics department work collaboratively with other members of the school community such as faculty and staff from each division. Familiarity with Quaker principles and practices is also highly desirable. 

Under the supervision of the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, Physical Education Department Chair, and the Director of Athletics, the Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach is responsible for implementing strength and conditioning programs in partnership with the Strength and Conditioning staff, with the goals of improving athletic performance, reducing athletic injuries, and teaching lifelong fitness and movement skills. The Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach also teaches classes in the Physical Education Department, serves as an advisor to a group of upper school students and fulfills other roles in the Athletics Department as needed. This is a 12-month position with modified schedules during winter and spring breaks and during the summer.

Essential Functions

• Implement the strength and conditioning program for Upper School students and student athletes to improve athletic performance, reduce athletic injuries, and teach lifelong fitness and movement skills 
• Implement strength and conditioning programs in season, off-season, and pre-season for all school-sanctioned athletic programs in a manner that reflects research-driven practices
• Oversee and facilitate use of the Blaine Center when Head and Associate Head Strength & Conditioning Coaches are unavailable
• Motivate student-athletes to train and perform to their highest potential
• Facilitate proper warm-up and cool-down protocols with teams at sport practices
• Facilitate return to play protocols and training modifications for athletes returning after injuries
• Work individually with athletes in need of movement modification
• Aid in the collection, use, and application of performance data including: baseline testing, GPS data, heart rate data, movement screening, biometric measurements, and KPIs
• Create performance reports, as well as reports on individual and team progress, in conjunction with the Strength & Conditioning staff and individual coaches as needed and assist in using the data to develop programming
• Work in partnership with Athletic Training staff on return to play protocols and long-term rehabilitation programs
• Develop and maintain health and wellness programs for faculty and staff 
• Attend departmental and divisional meetings
• Teach courses in the Physical Education Department and fulfill other roles in the Athletics Department as needed
• Facilitate cleaning and maintenance of Blaine Center

• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Director of Athletics or their designee

Competencies:

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice both in their approach to the work and in building relationships with students and other community members
• Capacity to instruct an array of developmental levels of physical literacy
• Ability to engage in reflective self-evaluation in the areas of  leadership, performance and professional growth
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with internal and external members of the Penn Charter community 
• Ability to use standard office equipment such as personal computers, printer, copier and fax machines, calculator and telephone
• Proficient use of computer software applications (e.g., Google Tools, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) along with experience using GPS technology.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding school athletic programs, safety and health, and other areas under responsibility
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Flexible approach and ability to organize multiple tasks and conflicting time constraints

Physical Demands: 

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at a time.
• Must be able to carry, pull, push, and lift equipment necessary for care. 
• Ability and willingness to work in unpredictable weather conditions. 
• Ability to walk, stand, or kneel for extended periods of time. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Undergraduate degree (an advanced degree is preferred) in Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, and/or Physical Education
• Certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCA), or the National High School Strength and Conditioning Association (HSSCC)
• Minimum of 2 years experience with development and management of strength and conditioning programs at the high school or college/university level
• Must have reliable transportation
• Motor Vehicle Operator's License to drive Penn Charter vehicles.
• Schedules and work hours are established in conjunction with the Director of Athletics and Physical Education Department Chair and are designed to meet the needs of the students, the program, and the school
• In coordination with the other Strength & Conditioning Coaches, must be available mornings, evenings, weekends and school breaks as needed

Preferred education and experience 

• Familiarity with the principles and practices of Quakerism and Quaker education

Salary and benefits  

• William Penn Charter School offers competitive salaries and benefits including comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents. 
• William Penn Charter School is also a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer.

We will review application materials as they are submitted and interview candidates on a rolling basis until the position has been filled.

William Penn Charter School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.