Position Summary
The Nueva School is seeking enthusiastic, student-centered coaches to join our Middle School Swim program. We are currently hiring one Head Coach and one Assistant Head Coach for the 2026 fall season. Our coaches do more than teach swimming; they build confidence, sportsmanship, teamwork, resilience, and a lifelong appreciation for athletics. Whether you're an experienced coach or a former competitive swimmer looking to mentor young athletes, we'd love to hear from you.
A Day in the Life
As a Middle School Swim Coach at Nueva, you spend your afternoons helping student-athletes develop their swimming skills while building confidence, teamwork, and a love of competition.
On any given day, you might:
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Lead engaging, age-appropriate swim practices for athletes of varying skill levels.
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Teach stroke technique, starts, turns, endurance, pacing, and race strategy.
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Encourage athletes to set goals, challenge themselves, and celebrate improvement.
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Foster an inclusive, positive team culture built on sportsmanship and respect.
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Supervise athletes during practices, swim meets, and team travel.
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Collaborate with fellow coaches and the Athletics Department to create a rewarding student experience.
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Communicate with families and school staff as appropriate.
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Celebrate individual and team accomplishments throughout the season.
At Nueva, coaching is about developing young people first and athletes second.
Primary Responsibilities
The Head Coach and Assistant Head Coach work together to provide a positive, safe, and developmentally appropriate experience for all student-athletes.
Responsibilities include:
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Plan and lead safe, engaging, and organized swim practices and competitions.
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Teach proper swimming techniques, race strategy, conditioning, and sportsmanship.
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Evaluate athlete progress and provide constructive feedback.
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Supervise student-athletes during practices, competitions, and travel.
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Promote a positive, inclusive, and respectful team culture.
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Maintain effective communication with athletes, families, fellow coaches, and school administrators.
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Ensure compliance with all Nueva School, league, and applicable athletic policies and procedures.
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Respond appropriately to injuries and emergencies in accordance with established school protocols.
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Serve as a positive role model by demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and outstanding sportsmanship.
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Support the Head Coach in all aspects of the program (Assistant Coach) or provide leadership and mentorship to the coaching staff (Head Coach).
Required Qualifications
Candidates must:
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Be at least 18 years of age.
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Be authorized to work in the United States.
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Demonstrate knowledge of competitive swimming fundamentals, techniques, and rules.
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Possess strong communication and interpersonal skills.
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Enjoy working with middle school students.
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Be committed to creating a positive, inclusive, and supportive team environment.
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Successfully complete all required employment screenings and onboarding requirements.
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Preferred Qualifications
We're especially interested in candidates who have:
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Previous swim coaching experience.
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Competitive swimming experience at the middle school, high school, collegiate, or higher level.
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CPR, First Aid, and/or Lifeguard Certification.
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Coaching certifications through USA Swimming, ASCA, or similar organizations.
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Experience working with middle school students.
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Experience in schools, youth sports, or youth development programs.
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Knowledge of swimmer development, injury prevention, and athlete wellness.
Encouragement to Apply
Nueva encourages anyone to apply, even if they do not meet all the preferred qualifications. If you are excited about supporting gifted students, committed to equity and inclusion, and eager to grow your skills within a collaborative community, we would welcome your application.
We are seeking applicants who represent the full diversity of our community in the Bay Area. Our ideal candidate will possess a deep appreciation for the diverse socioeconomic, racial, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, academic, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. In joining our team at Nueva, you will become a part of an inclusive, iterative, and equity-minded community that recognizes that equity and social justice is a lens with which we examine all aspects of our school community in order to ensure an educational experience where all students and colleagues can thrive.
In deciding whether to apply for a position at Nueva, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with Nueva’s Mission, Vision, and Values.
Compensation and Benefits
This is a part-time, seasonal, hourly position with a pay range of $26.00 to $ 65.00 per hour. Actual starting pay will be determined based on the selected candidate's qualifications, including relevant coaching and playing experience, education, certifications, and demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the sport.
We offer a compensation and benefits package that includes fully paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance for employees; an employer contribution toward dependent insurance premiums; a generous match on our retirement plan; long-term disability insurance; a flexible spending account; and free lunch. Eligibility rules must be met.
To Apply
Please submit your application information - cover letter describing your interest and preparedness for the position, a resume documenting your relevant experience and expertise, and contact information for three professional references, including an explanation of your relationship - to the Nueva Employment Website. To address specific questions, please email David Burgee at [email protected].
The Nueva School is an Equal Opportunity Employer – we do not discriminate against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, or sex. We welcome applications from people of color and those with experience outside the education field.
About The Nueva School
The Nueva School, an internationally recognized, nonprofit, independent day school, has served gifted and talented students since 1967. Today, Nueva serves nearly 1000 students PK-12. Nueva is located in the neighboring towns of Hillsborough and San Mateo, equidistant between San Francisco and Silicon Valley, and serves six counties throughout the Bay Area of Northern California.
A constructivist school, Nueva is known for its distinctive inquiry-based interdisciplinary studies, project-based learning, and pioneering work in social-emotional learning and design thinking. The Nueva community instills a passion for lifelong learning, fosters social and emotional acuity, and develops the imaginative mind. Our school has received the US Department of Education National Blue Ribbon Award, the US Department of Education National Green Ribbon Award, and the American Institute of Architects Award for School Design and Sustainability; has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished Program and appointed an Ashoka Changemaker School; co-founded the Common Ground Speaker Series; hosts the biennial Innovative Learning Conference, and was highlighted by the Pulitzer Prize–winning and New York Times best-selling author Thomas Friedman in his book That Used to Be Us in the chapter “Average Is Over.”
For more information about The Nueva School, visit our website: www.nuevaschool.org
