Open Position Title:
Program Coach

Type: Part-Time (10-20 hours per week)

Start Date: July 2022

Hourly Rate: $15-$20 per hour

Reports to: Program Manager

Organizational Background 

Chicago Run is a nonprofit organization that provides young people from Pre-K through high school with inclusive running and physical activity programs. We empower young people with equitable access to physical activity and use running as a catalyst to transform lives. Through the power of sport, we build resilience to stress and trauma and develop social and emotional skills. During the 2019-2020 school year, we reached 16,000 youth participants, from 53 partner schools and sites, located in 34 diverse Chicagoland neighborhoods. We primarily focus programming in under-resourced communities with limited access to physical activity and play. 

Equity Philosophy

The need for our work – providing equitable access to inclusive, high quality running & physical activity programming – stems from pre-existing systemic inequities in Chicago communities. Nearly half of all youth in Chicago live in “low child opportunity areas”, meaning they lack access to resources for healthy development. These “low child opportunity areas” are a result of systemic and institutional racism and barriers that impact youth life trajectories and opportunities. Chicago Run is committed to centering equity across all facets of our work to better partner with Chicago communities and create lasting impact and social change. You can read more about our equity philosophy here

Summary of Job Description

The Program Coach will work alongside the Chicago Run Program Team to support in the development and delivery of inclusive running and physical activity programming across the city of Chicago. The Program Coach will directly implement and lead programming; support with program operations, logistics, and resource creation; and attend program events.

Responsibilities Program Implementation (75%) 

  • Lead running and physical activity sessions with early childhood students in the Little Strides program and elementary school students in the Chicago Runners program during the school day

  • Lead or co-lead weekly after-school running practices with Running Mates team(s) 

  • Maintain consistent and high-quality program implementation and serve as role model for participants

  • Aid in the development and enhancement of the overall health and wellness environment at schools/sites and implement innovative physical activity 

  • Make exercise FUN for students and partners

  • Maintain regular communication with partners and site coaches via email, teleconference, phone, and in person

  • Provide consistent updates to their manager regarding status of programs and relationships with partners

  • Help identify and troubleshoot any issues with program delivery

Program Logistics (15%) 

  • Oversee delivery of during school program incentives. Inform students about the importance of the incentives and goal setting

  • Assist with ongoing program evaluation measurements (PACER test, surveys, etc.) and school tracking platforms (including virtual marathon database and online attendance tracking)

  • Work with program staff to develop new and innovative indoor fitness activities, resources, and trainings 

Event & Other Support (10%) 

  • Provide support and attend program events 

  • Support the Program Team and broader staff as needed on additional tasks and projects 

Qualifications 

  • An ideal candidate has experience working with sports-based youth development programs and/or youth serving organizations

  • Prior experience coaching the sport of running or participation in running teams not required (Chicago Run provides training and resources to support in development in these areas), but participation in individual and/or team sports and/or physical activity is a plus

  • Demonstrates a passion for Chicago Run’s mission and advancing youth health and wellness

  • Has familiarity and interest in working with youth programs, great enthusiasm for working in Chicago Public Schools and is comfortable working with diverse populations

  • Demonstrates a passion for Chicago Run’s mission, a commitment to equity in alignment with Chicago Run’s core values, and a desire to impact youth health and wellness through equitable, inclusive programming

  • Access to reliable means of transportation to travel to program sites throughout Chicago

  • Has strong interpersonal skills and able to build relationships and communicate with a diverse array of stakeholders 

  • Must be able to pass a background check through Chicago Public Schools

  • Physical demands include handling the storage, packing, and setting up of program equipment and supplies, weighing up to 25 pounds and climbing up and down stairs

  • Spanish fluency preferred, not required

Working Conditions

  • This job operates in school and community based partner sites across the Chicagoland area. This is a part-time position, with flexible work hours tailored to the ideal candidate in alignment with our partners’ needs. 

  • The Chicago Run office is open Monday through Friday, between 9AM to 5PM. Occasional evening and weekend work hours may be needed as job duties demand.

  • This role will be approximately 90% site based and 10% office based/remote.

  • Chicago Run is committed to being an equal opportunity organization, and providing employment opportunities regardless of identity, including race, color, national origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability status, or veteran status

  • BIPOC, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ individuals are encouraged to apply

  • Note: COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all Chicago Run employees prior to starting with us. We will consider accommodations for medical or religious reasons, consistent with legal standards.   

*All Chicago Run staff are currently working a hybrid schedule but understand that in person site visits and in office requirements may shift based on city/state guidelines and partner requests. Chicago Run will always operate within applicable state/city guidelines to ensure compliance with protocols and the safety of our team and partners. 

To apply: 

Send resume via email to hr@chicagorun.org. by June 15, 2022. Please also include your availability M-F from 8:00 AM-5:30 PM; number of hours available or desired per week; verification of transportation (access to a car, public transit, etc.). No phone calls please.