Coach Across America AmeriCorps Coach at Special Olympics DC
About Coach Across America
Founded in 2010, Coach Across America is a national service organization focused on the power of coaches to transform the lives of our nation’s most vulnerable youth, and the communities they live in, through sports. Coach Across America is based on the simple premise that highly trained coaches can be among the most transformative adults in young people’s lives and inspire their success on the field, in the classroom, and in life. Coach Across America partners with local non-profits, schools, and sports organizations to support and train AmeriCorps coaches for a one-year service term in underserved communities.
What You’ll Do
As a Coach Across America AmeriCorps member, you will serve at Special Olympics DC to support youth in multi-sport school day programming. Special Olympics DC provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children with and without intellectual disabilities at no cost to athletes and their families. You will receive sports-based youth development training to positively impact youth mental and physical well-being, as well as specific Special Olympics staff and coaches development training. You will monitor youth progress and collaborate with program staff to facilitate practices and competitions across three seasons.
AmeriCorps Service Term: Half-time role (900 hours to complete between August 2026-August 2027)
Living Allowance: $12,150.00 (paid biweekly)
Education Award: $3,697.50 (upon successful completion of service hours)
Expected Hours Per Week: 20 hours per week on average
Primary Location(s): The office is located in NE Washington, DC, but the coach will go to schools and sports facilities throughout the District.
Coach Role and Responsibilities
This Coach Across America AmeriCorps coach will facilitate Special Olympics DC’s coed school day multi-sport training and competition. The coach will support three sports seasons across the year; each season includes 6-8 weeks of sports training followed by qualifying and championships: our Summer Games, Fall Classic, or Winter Games. They will directly coach youth and also train teachers to serve as coaches at their school sites. All practice sessions and competitions are conducted according to Special Olympics General Rules and high standards established by international sports federations. Training on those rules will be provided. Sports include: basketball, bowling, bocce, golf, flag football, tennis, track and field, speed skating, soccer, and volleyball.
Responsibilities will include:
- Conduct weekly training for athletes on sport training skills and techniques of the 10 sports offered.
- Ensure that coaches have attended a General Orientation and that registration paperwork is submitted in order for their delegation to participate.
- Serve as a resource and support for coaches with regard to training and competition for traditional and unified sports.
- Assist in the eligibility tracking system of the database of athletes, coaches, and unified partners.
- Assist in recruitment and training of volunteers for weekly training, qualifying, and championship competitions.
- Assist in the utilization of the Games Management System to set up games and events.
- Assist in quality control duties/tasks to ensure that rules and regulations are followed at all SODC competitions.
- Encourage participants to gain and develop life skills, knowledge, and techniques through sport, using lessons learned at Coach Across America’s best-in-class training.
- Act as a role model, gaining the respect and trust of the community and youth served.
The coach will serve as part of She Changes the Game, an initiative by Coach Across America and Monumental Sports & Entertainment to build a DC-based hub of coaches dedicated to growing girls’ participation in sports.
Service schedule:
- Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at various sports facilities around the city (i.e. Catholic University Athletic Center, Langston Golf Course, AMF Capitol Plaza, Carroll HS, Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, etc.)
Additional AmeriCorps Requirements
Coach Across America AmeriCorps coaches must complete the following requirements to ensure successful completion of the AmeriCorps program:
- Completion of the minimum required hours of service and training by last day of coach contract
- Attendance at the Coach Orientation
- Completion of bi-weekly timesheets
- Attendance at days of community service
- Attend Coach Across America trainings, meetings, and special initiatives
- Perform data collection activities as directed by Coach Across America
Uniform Policy
Coaches must wear Coach Across America branded t-shirts provided by Coach Across America with AmeriCorps logo when coaching and at program sessions and events. Coaches will also wear a Special Olympics DC branded item such as a hat or other provided item.
Eligibility & Qualifications
- AmeriCorps is open to U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents.
- Members must be 18 years old, or 17 with written parental/guardian consent.
- Members must have or be working toward a High School diploma, GED, or the equivalent.
- Experience and knowledge of sports, volunteer management and preferably working with persons with intellectual disabilities.
- Effective verbal and written communication.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment.
- Ability to work independently and organize training to meet established time schedules; solve problems using good judgment; understand when to seek assistance or guidance from others.
- Proficiency with MS Office including Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Valid Driver’s License. If no license, ability to use public transportation to travel to sports facilities and schools.
- Ability to drive to training locations and transport sports equipment.
- Must pass a background check.
Coach Across America AmeriCorps members are as diverse a group as the communities we serve. We’re looking for you if you want to build yourself, give back, and are ready to change the world through the power of sports.
