Experience as a cross-country runner and/or coach at the high school, college, or club level.
Strong understanding of distance running principles, training cycles, and injury prevention.
Ability to mentor student-athletes and foster a supportive team culture.
Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
CPR and First Aid certifications are required, or the candidate must be willing to obtain them.
Willingness to complete CIF/NCS coaching certifications, as required.
Responsibilities
Assist the Head Coach with practice planning and execution, including warm-ups, training runs, drills, strength and mobility work, and cooldowns.
Provide feedback and individualized support to athletes of varying abilities.
Support meet-day operations, including supervising athletes, managing logistics, and assisting with travel and timing.
Help build and maintain a team culture grounded in inclusivity, discipline, and mutual respect.
Monitor the health, safety, and well-being of student-athletes during practices and competitions.
Support academic and character development in line with UHS values.
Communicate with athletes, families, and athletic staff as directed by the Head Coach.
Ensure compliance with University High School, Bay Counties League (BCL), North Coast Section (NCS), and CIF rules and standards.
Attend all scheduled practices, meets, and team events, including some weekend invitationals.
Description
Exciting Opportunity at University High School in San Francisco, California
San Francisco University High School (UHS) is seeking an enthusiastic, dedicated, and passionate candidate who shares its core values: Inquiry, Care, Integrity, Agency, and Interconnection. Collegial and collaborative, the successful candidate will join a dynamic athletic department that believes that athletics is an integral and valuable component of our students’ overall educational experience. We believe that student-athletes benefit not only physically and emotionally by participating and competing in sports, and that one of our fundamental responsibilities is to help student-athletes develop critical skills (e.g., teamwork, resilience, leadership, tenacity, etc.) that promote success in the classroom, in college and in life.
About San Francisco University High School:
UHS, is a coeducational independent day school in San Francisco, California with 514 students in grades 9-12. Founded in 1975, the school’s mission is to challenge each individual to live a life of integrity, inquiry, and purpose larger than the self. UHS is located in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco.
Position Overview:
University High School is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Assistant Coach to support the Cross Country program, one of the school’s largest and most successful athletic teams, with over 70 student-athletes participating annually. The Assistant Coach will work closely with the Head Coach to help manage a highly competitive and inclusive program that emphasizes individual growth, team culture, and long-term development. This is a seasonal, part-time position during the fall semester, with practices and meets occurring on weekdays and some weekends.
The ideal candidate will have experience in cross country (as a coach and/or athlete), a passion for working with student-athletes, and a commitment to fostering a team environment that values effort, consistency, and sportsmanship.
Primary Responsibilities:
Assist the Head Coach with all aspects of practice planning and execution, including warm-ups, training runs, drills, strength and mobility work, and cooldowns.
Provide feedback and individualized support to athletes of varying abilities.
Support meet-day operations, including supervising athletes, managing logistics, and assisting with travel and timing.
Help build and maintain a team culture grounded in inclusivity, discipline, and mutual respect.
Monitor the health, safety, and well-being of student-athletes during practices and competitions.
Support academic and character development in line with UHS values.
Communicate effectively with athletes, families, and athletic staff as directed by the Head Coach.
Ensure compliance with University High School, Bay Counties League (BCL), North Coast Section (NCS), and CIF rules and standards.
Attend all scheduled practices, meets, and team events, including some weekend invitationals.
Requirements
Qualifications:
Experience as a cross-country runner and/or coach at the high school, college, or club level.
Strong understanding of distance running principles, training cycles, and injury prevention.
Ability to mentor student-athletes and foster a supportive team culture.
Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
CPR and First Aid certifications required (or willingness to obtain).
Willingness to complete CIF/NCS coaching certifications, as required.
Compensation:
This is a seasonal, part-time position. Pay Range: $5,000 – $8,000 (commensurate with experience and team assignment). Additional compensation includes responsibilities during the summer assessment period.
Non-Discrimination Statement:
University High School values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty, and staff from different backgrounds. All employment decisions are made without regard to unlawful considerations of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, creed, age, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.