Head Men's & Women's Cross Country / Track & Field Coach

Position Title Head Men's & Women's Cross Country /Track & Field Coach About the University Western Washington University, with over 16,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western is the highest-ranking public, master's-granting university in the Pacific Northwest, according to the 2022 U.S. News & World Report rankings. About the Department

Western Washington University offers a premier Division II intercollegiate athletic program, emphasizing the scholastic and competitive success of over 350 student-athletes.  WWU is a member of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC), fielding 15 teams. WWU Athletics has experienced tremendous success both on and off the field.  The Women's soccer team captured the NCAA II national championship in 2022 and 2016, the Women's basketball team was a finalist in the NCAA II national championship game in 2021, and the Women's volleyball team was in the final eight of the NCAA II championship in 2021.  Women's Rowing won the NCAA II championship in 2005-2011, and 2017, and competed in the national championships in all but one of the last 20 years.  WWU Athletics has finished in the top 50 in the NCAA II Learfield Directors' Cup standings in 16 of the past 17 years, and in the top 20 in eight of the last 13 years (no award in 2019-20 or 2020-21). WWU's programs have won 12 team national championships.

The 2021-22 athletic season was another banner year for the Vikings, earning the GNAC All-Sports Trophy for the 13th time while capturing seven conference titles. Women's Basketball and Rowing led the way with national runner-up finishes, volleyball advanced to the Final Four for the third time in the last six seasons, women's soccer advanced to play in its sixth consecutive West Regional Final (Sweet 16), the men's Track & Field program swept the indoor and outdoor GNAC Championships and the men's and women's golf team both captured GNAC titles.

The academic performance of Western's student athletes is equally impressive.  The NCAA Overall Academic Success Rate for 2021-22 was 91% and WWU has been the recipient of the NCAA President's Award for academic performance for the past 4 years.

WWU is committed to an athletics program that is nationally recognized for its success in NCAA II sports, and to Athletics culture that values integrity, transparency, and excellence, promotes accessibility, diversity, equity and inclusion in its policies and practices, and advances wellness and holistic development of student athletes.

About the Position The Head XC/TF Coach is responsible for the overall direction of the Cross Country and Track & Field programs at WWU. This includes overseeing, instructing and supervising approximately 100 student-athletes, 2 full-time assistant coaches and approximately 6 part-time and volunteer assistance coaches. Responsibilities include directing and advising student athletes, coaching both during practices and competitions, developing practice and competition plans. Other responsibilities include recruitment, fundraising and administrative responsibilities for the program.

This position is vital to the continued growth and success of the athletics programs in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, the NCAA, and supports the student-athletes in their quest to maximize their abilities in the classroom and in competition.

Roles and Responsibilities:

The head coach will be responsible for administering all aspects and operations of the Men's & Women's Cross Country / Track and Field programs. The Coach's responsibilities are restricted and defined by NCAA and GNAC rules and guidelines and university policies.

This position will work cooperatively with student-athletes, coaches, and athletic department staff.  This includes but is not limited to recruiting student-athletes, team and skill development, budget development and management, appropriate organizational duties affiliated with facility usage, supervision and performance evaluation, practice and meet planning and equipment management procedures.

• Recruit academically qualified student-athletes and maintain an appropriate number of student-athletes on the team.
• Coaches both the Cross Country and Track & Field programs, ensuring that all student-athletes have the best possible academic, athletic and student-athlete experience.
• In conjunction with the Director of Athletics, define budget needs including equipment, team travel, uniforms and personnel.
• Scheduling home and away contests. 
• Manages logistics of team travel in conjunction with travel coordinator.
• Schedules and supervises all practice sessions.
• Supervise, mentor and evaluate assistant coaches.
• Ensure proper safety precautions regarding student-athletes' training and health are followed at all times.
• Provide oversight of facilities in order to ensure healthy and safety of users (i.e. condition of the track, electronic equipment).
• In collaboration with Director of Athletics as well as other members of the athletic department, assist with fundraising responsibilities including building and maintaining relationships with Alumni through various means of communication, fundraising initiatives, and departmental Alumni activities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• A minimum of 5 years collegiate coaching experience, preferably at the university level.
• Ability to effectively coach student-athletes of diverse backgrounds and identities
• Knowledge of NCAA rules

Preferred Qualifications

• Head coaching experience

Conditions of Employment All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including COVID vaccination by time of hire and Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to HR@wwu.edu if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations. Salary  Hiring Range is $72,762 - $83,677/year.  Through longevity position tops out at $94,591. Benefits Information

Benefits Overview for Administrative Professional Position.

Application Instructions

A cover letter and resume are required and should address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications. Please include the names and contact information of three professional references. References will only be contacted for finalists, with notice provided beforehand.

Closing Date Notes

Application review begins May 30, 2023; position is open until filled.

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU's Policy on Ensuring Equal Opportunity and Prohibiting Discrimination and Retaliation. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3303 or 711 (Washington Relay).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services at vpsa.office@wwu.edu. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires which includes a sexual misconduct background check.