Assistant Coach – Swimming & Diving

The successful candidate will be an engaged coach, educator, and mentor who builds meaningful relationships with student-athletes, fosters a positive team culture, and supports their athletic, academic, personal, and leadership development.

The Assistant Coach contributes to an athletic environment consistent with Soka University's educational mission and commitment to developing engaged, responsible, and compassionate individuals. Athletics should serve as an extension of the student experience, providing opportunities for personal growth, leadership, academic success, community engagement, and meaningful development beyond competition.

Candidates should demonstrate responsiveness toward and understanding of diverse student backgrounds and experiences. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to the university's mission to develop global citizens. Having the ability and willingness to work collegially is essential, as is an understanding of an interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum.

Essential duties include but are not limited to:

Coaching, Mentoring & Athlete Development (40%)

• Assist in designing and implementing effective training programs and competition plans for swimming and diving student-athletes.
• Provide individualized coaching, technical instruction, feedback, and performance evaluation based on each athlete's abilities, goals, and developmental needs.
• Use performance data, video, timing systems, and other appropriate technology to support athlete development.
• Mentor student-athletes and promote a culture of respect, accountability, inclusion, communication, well-being, and personal growth.
• Support student-athletes in developing confidence, resilience, leadership, and ownership of their athletic and academic experience.

Recruiting & Program Development (20%)

• Assist the Head Coach with recruiting strategy and identify, evaluate, and build relationships with prospective student-athletes and families.
• Participate in recruiting events, campus visits, competitions, and other recruiting activities.
• Help prospective students understand Soka's academic, athletic, and community experience.
• Assist with camps, clinics, instructional programs, and community engagement.

Training, Competition & Team Operations (10%)

• Assist with annual, seasonal, and weekly training plans and the team competition schedule.
• Participate in practices, competitions, team meetings, and program activities.
• Assist with team travel, scheduling, meet entries, transportation, lodging, and related logistics.
• Help ensure team activities are conducted safely, efficiently, and in accordance with university and applicable athletic policies.

Administration, Equipment & Budget (10%)

• Assist with the aquatics program budget, including recruiting, travel, equipment, and other program expenses.
• Assist with equipment purchasing, inventory, maintenance, distribution, and disposal.
• Maintain accurate program records and utilize appropriate administrative and aquatics technology.
• Promote the proper use and care of facilities and equipment.

Social Media & Digital Communication (10%)

• Assist the Head Coach and Athletics Department in maintaining a professional and engaging social media presence.
• Create and share appropriate content highlighting student-athletes, competitions, accomplishments, community engagement, and the Soka experience.
• Use digital platforms to support recruiting, team communication, and program visibility.
• Ensure content reflects Soka's mission, values, branding, and professional standards while respecting student-athlete privacy and appropriate coaching boundaries.

Collaboration & Professional Responsibilities (10%)

• Work collaboratively with the Head Coach, Athletics Department, university colleagues, student-athletes, and external partners.
• Communicate clearly, professionally, and respectfully with students, colleagues, prospective student-athletes, families, officials, and community members.
• Support an inclusive environment where students from diverse backgrounds feel respected, supported, and valued.
• Participate in professional development and remain current with contemporary coaching practices, athlete development, aquatics, and collegiate athletics.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in a related field required;
• Master's degree preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of three years of recent collegiate swimming and/or diving coaching experience.
• Demonstrated experience developing and mentoring collegiate student-athletes.
• Recruiting experience preferred.
• Experience with camps, clinics, or instructional programs preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of competitive swimming and/or diving, including training methodology, technique, race strategy, and competition preparation.
• A student-centered coaching philosophy and the ability to mentor, motivate, and develop student-athletes as individuals and competitors.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including the ability to provide constructive feedback with professionalism and empathy.
• Ability to build a positive, inclusive, accountable, and team-oriented culture.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with contemporary coaching practices, athlete wellness, injury prevention, mental health awareness, and appropriate referral practices.
• Competency with collegiate aquatics technology, including Hy-Tek Team Manager, timing systems, video analysis, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Current CPR, First Aid, and appropriate lifeguarding or swim-coach safety certifications.
• Current USA Swimming coach membership and compliance with applicable coaching and safety requirements.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse students, faculty, staff, coaches, administrators, and community partners.
• Commitment to mutual respect, diversity, inclusion, community engagement, and institutional excellence.
• High ethical, moral, and professional standards and a commitment to student-athlete safety, well-being, and development.
• Commitment to continued professional growth as a coach, mentor, and educator.

Soka University of America offers a competitive salary, benefits and an excellent working environment. Anticipated salary range for this position is $44,000 to $49,000 and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Employment is contingent upon the completion of a successful background check.

Application review will begin immediately. The position will remain open, and applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

New employees must provide documents, on their first day, verifying identity and legal authorization to work in the United States. The list of acceptable documents can be found at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents.

Application Requirements

Must submit the following to be considered:

• letter of interest for this position
• resume
• three professional references

For inquiries, e-mail: jobs@soka.edu

Soka University of America is an equal opportunity employer.

About Soka University of America

Founded on the Buddhist principles of peace, human rights, and the sanctity of life, Soka University of America is a secular, four-year liberal arts college and graduate school with a unique mission: to educate global citizens to contribute to a better world. Situated atop a ridge overlooking a 4,000-acre wilderness park, Soka is three miles from the Pacific Ocean, midway between Los Angeles and San Diego. The university's commitment to fostering global citizenship is reflected in its diverse student body, with 50% of students hailing from international backgrounds. This is further supported by mandatory second language and study abroad programs, and an interdisciplinary core curriculum. The curriculum is delivered in small, dynamic classes, maintaining a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an average class size of 12.