Assistant Swimming Coach & Assistant Aquatics Director

WHITMAN COLLEGE

Located in the historic community of Walla Walla, Whitman’s vibrant and beautiful tree-lined campus is home to an intellectually diverse, dynamic, welcoming and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty serving approximately 1,500 students from the local region and across the globe. With exceptional students, accomplished faculty and staff, and a fiercely loyal and growing number of engaged alumni, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.  

Whitman College is cultivating a community built on inclusion and belonging. We recognize the value of those who can offer historically underrepresented perspectives and encourage applications from those whose background, knowledge, and insights from lived experience can add to the college’s working and learning environment. Whitman College is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EEO).

WHITMAN SWIMMING

Whitman Swimming has been a rising power within the northwest for the last decade. During that time, between our men’s and women’s teams, we have brought home eight conference titles, with both teams regularly finishing in the top three of the conference. In 2023, one of our men’s swimmers was a Division III NCAA National Champion in multiple events and was awarded NCAA Swimmer of the Meet. In 2025, the NWC “Rookie of the Meet” at our conference championship was one of our first-year women’s swimmers, and this past year, she was NWC women’s “Swimmer of the Meet.” We are proud of the improvements we see in swimmers from all swimming backgrounds during their time here, and attribute much of that success to quality swimming with a focus on technique, dedicated weight training, and holistic support for our student-athletes. The real key to everything we do, though, is the team dynamic, and continually creating an environment where our swimmers can be themselves, support each other, compete hard, and have fun.

POSITION PURPOSE

Assist the Head Coach with all aspects of the Men’s and Women’s Swimming program in alignment with the College’s values and NCAA Division III philosophy. This position is 0.93 FTE that works 1934 annual hours. This position reports directly to the Head Swimming Coach.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Coaching & Player Development (40%)

• Assist the Head Coach in the preparation of practices, conduct safe and strategic individual and team training sessions, and assist in all aspects of competition.


• Assist with meet preparation, including competitive strategies. Partner with the Head Coach and game management staff to manage home meets. Manage Meet and Team Manager databases, entries, and results. 

Aquatics & Safety (20%)

• Serve as the Head Coach for the Whitman Masters Swim Team.


• Assist the Head Coach in overseeing Harvey Pool including supervision of student lifeguard staff.


• Represent the College and its athletics program with honesty, integrity and sportsmanship at all times to various institutional programs and students, parents, the general public, alumni and external agencies. 


• Understand and work within the parameters of Whitman College, the NWC and NCAA Division III philosophy and rules.


• Complete 40 hours of game management responsibilities as assigned by the Event Management Director (annually).

Recruitment (15%)

• Support the Head Coach in the development and incorporation of a comprehensive recruiting plan that demonstrates successful results for the recruitment, yield and retention of academically and athletically qualified student-athletes. 


• Effectively recruit for the program while working within the parameters of Whitman, NWC, and NCAA rules.


• Schedule and coordinate official and unofficial visits of prospective student-athletes.

Team Operations (15%)

• Make responsible purchases for the Program. 


• Assist the Head Coach with budget management.


• Assist the Head Coach in all fundraising efforts, including running of occasional lessons, clinics, and camps.


• Assist with the arrangement and supervision of transportation, lodging and meals for team travel. 

Outreach & Representation (5%)

• Coordinate team, alumni and community outreach and events.


• Develop a positive, professional relationship with officials, league personnel, and coaching colleagues.


• Work effectively within the department (Athletic Training, Sports Communications, Business Manager) as well as other departments that are critical to the success of swimming and aquatics at Whitman (Admission, Development, Facilities, Human Resources, Technology Services, etc.).

Evolving Responsibilities (5%)

• Complete special projects and other duties assigned by the Head Swimming Coach and the Director of Athletics, as bandwidth allows.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Must be able to explain and/or demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. Specifically,

• Value athletics within a high achieving academic liberal arts Division III environment.


• Ability to positively and actively advance the college’s core values of diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism and access. 


• Prioritize the team experience we help foster for Whitman swimmers.


• Ability to meet institutional driving requirements and safely drive students to and from approved activities.


• Appreciate that personal growth and athletic development are intricately linked.


• Support overall wellness in team members.


• Prioritize stroke technique and effectively communicate desired stroke changes to swimmers.


• Be highly motivated and work well both independently and collaboratively.


• Demonstrate sound judgment and decision-making abilities.


• Possess excellent organizational, interpersonal, communication skills.


• Show attention to detail in planning.


• Demonstrate confidence with technology, including a mature and sophisticated approach to social media.


• Communicate effectively and enthusiastically to recruits and their families.


• Be excited to learn and grow.


• Ability to work nights, weekends and holidays.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree.


• Maintain valid annual certification as an American Red Cross Lifeguard or Lifeguard Instructor, OR the ability to obtain by the season start; maintenance of certificate required.


• Must possess a valid driver’s license and meet one of the following criteria: be at least 18 years old with 2 years of driving experience and complete a driver improvement course, OR be at least 19 with 3 years of experience and successfully pass a motor vehicle report (MVR) check.


• OR a combination of relevant education, training, and experience. 

Whitman College values diverse pathways to acquiring skills and knowledge and encourages applicants to demonstrate how their background aligns with the role.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Collegiate coaching experience preferred; significant high school, club coaching or competitive swimming experience also considered. 

Please note that while the description details both required and preferred qualifications, we want applicants to be aware that they do not need to have all of the preferred qualifications to be considered for this position. If you meet the minimum qualifications and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position may be required to work nights, weekends and holidays, including travel.

BENEFITS  

Whitman College offers a competitive benefits program that is designed to attract qualified candidates and retain talented employees. Full-time employees enjoy the following benefits:

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurances.

Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment and long term disability insurances with the capability to elect additional voluntary coverage.

403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with a 10% matching contribution after eligibility requirements are met.

Paid Time Off: 20 accrued vacation days, 12 accrued sick days, 13 paid holidays.

Tuition Remission – Dependent Children

Employee tuition waiver for two Whitman courses per semester.

Employee Assistance Program

Relocation assistance for eligible employees. 

Learn more about benefits eligibility here. 

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR JOB CANDIDATES

Contact Human Resources regarding requests for disability accommodation in the employment application process.

APPLICATION REVIEW

Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. 

START DATE

ASAP