The posting
Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ)—a world-renowned education and poverty-fighting organization based in New York—seeks an enthusiastic, dedicated, and mission-aligned Track & Field Distance Coach.
The Track & Field Distance Coach will bring a strong commitment to Harlem Children’s Zone’s mission of breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty through comprehensive, on-the-ground programming that creates opportunities for children and families to thrive in school, work, and life.
We are seeking an experienced Track & Field Distance Coach to lead the development of scholar-athletes competing in distance events across our elementary, middle, and high school programs. The Distance Coach will be responsible for providing high-quality instruction, developing scholar-athletes’ technical, physical, tactical, and mental skills, preparing athletes for competition, and contributing to the overall growth and success of the HCZ Track & Field program.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a passion for HCZ’s mission, an understanding of and respect for the Harlem community, and experience working with youth in a school-based or community-based setting. The successful candidate will use athletics as a platform to promote academic achievement, leadership, accountability, discipline, teamwork, resilience, and personal growth.
For more information, check out Want to Work at Harlem Children's Zone? Here's 7 Things You Need to Know.
Requirements
• High school diploma or GED required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• At least three years of experience coaching track and field, cross country, distance running, or a related endurance sport, preferably at the middle school, high school, collegiate, club, or elite competitive level.
• Demonstrated experience coaching distance events, including but not limited to the 800m, 1500m/1600m, 3000m, 3200m, 5K, and cross country.
• Strong knowledge of distance running principles, race strategy, conditioning, training methodology, recovery, injury prevention, and athlete development.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement progressive training programs appropriate for youth and adolescent athletes.
• Experience coaching and supporting youth and adolescent populations.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, develop, mentor, and retain scholar-athletes.
• Commitment to the mission, values, and programs of Harlem Children’s Zone.
• Strong leadership, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate records, and meet established deadlines.
• A positive, enthusiastic, collaborative, flexible, and solutions-oriented mindset.
• Ability to work effectively with scholars, families, coaches, school leaders, HCZ colleagues, community organizations, and external partners.
• CPR and First Aid certification, or the ability to obtain certification within the required timeframe.
• Ability to travel to away meets, cross country competitions, tournaments, invitationals, championships, and other athletic events.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours as required by the athletic schedule.
Who You Are
The Track & Field Distance Coach is responsible for the development and performance of scholar-athletes competing in distance events while contributing to the overall success and culture of the HCZ Track & Field program.
The Distance Coach will design and implement age-appropriate training plans, lead practices, prepare athletes for competition, evaluate performance, and provide individualized coaching and feedback. The coach will work closely with the Head Track & Field Coach, Assistant Athletic Director, Director of Athletics, school leadership, and other coaching staff to ensure consistency in training, expectations, athlete development, and program operations.
The successful candidate understands that coaching extends beyond athletic performance. They will serve as a mentor and role model who promotes academic accountability, positive behavior, discipline, leadership, teamwork, resilience, healthy habits, and long-term scholar development.
The Distance Coach must understand the importance of developing athletes progressively and safely. They should be able to balance competitive expectations with appropriate training loads, recovery, conditioning, injury prevention, and the individual needs of developing athletes.
What You’ll Do
Distance Program Leadership and Training
• In collaboration with the Head Track & Field Coach and Athletic Leadership, develop and implement a comprehensive distance-training program for elementary, middle, and high school scholar-athletes.
• Design age-appropriate, progressive training plans that develop endurance, speed endurance, strength, mobility, running mechanics, race strategy, and overall athletic performance.
• Lead daily practices and distance-specific training sessions in accordance with the overall Track & Field program schedule.
• Develop individualized training plans based on athlete ability, experience, event specialization, competition schedule, and developmental needs.
• Prepare scholar-athletes for distance events, including the 800m, 1500m/1600m, 3000m, 3200m, 5K, cross country, and other applicable endurance events.
• Teach proper running mechanics, pacing, race strategy, warm-up and cool-down procedures, recovery techniques, and training principles.
• Monitor training volume, intensity, recovery, and athlete readiness to support healthy and sustainable development.
• Incorporate strength, mobility, flexibility, conditioning, and injury-prevention strategies appropriate for distance athletes.
• Collaborate with Strength & Conditioning staff, Athletic Trainers, medical personnel, and other coaches when appropriate to support athlete health and performance.
• Evaluate athlete performance through practices, competitions, time trials, fitness assessments, and other appropriate measures.
• Use performance data to establish goals and adjust training plans.
• Identify and develop scholar-athletes with potential to compete at higher levels of competition.
Competition and Meet Preparation
• Prepare scholar-athletes for league meets, invitationals, championships, cross country competitions, tournaments, and other sanctioned athletic events.
• Develop race strategies and individualized competition plans based on event, athlete strengths, competition level, and meet conditions.
• Attend and actively coach assigned competitions and provide real-time instruction, support, and feedback.
• Maintain accurate records of athlete times, personal records, placements, qualifying standards, and other relevant performance data.
• Help identify opportunities for scholar-athletes to compete in appropriate competitive environments that support their development.
• Support the Head Track & Field Coach with meet entries, athlete selection, relay considerations, event assignments, and competition logistics.
• Promote sportsmanship, professionalism, accountability, and appropriate conduct before, during, and after competitions.
Scholar-Athlete Development and Accountability
• Recruit, evaluate, develop, and retain scholar-athletes interested in distance running and endurance events.
• Provide individualized instruction and feedback to support each scholar-athlete’s athletic development.
• Establish a positive, disciplined, inclusive, and competitive training environment.
• Promote sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership, resilience, accountability, discipline, and respect.
• Establish and communicate clear expectations regarding attendance, participation, behavior, academic performance, training standards, and team responsibilities.
• Hold scholar-athletes accountable for meeting HCZ academic, school attendance, and after-school programming standards.
• Collaborate with school staff, CCLR, Zone site staff, families, and other HCZ colleagues to identify and support scholars experiencing academic, attendance, behavioral, or engagement challenges.
• Reinforce the expectation that academic responsibilities and required school or after-school programming take priority over athletic participation.
• Teach scholar-athletes the importance of goal setting, consistency, time management, nutrition, hydration, recovery, discipline, and responsible decision-making.
• Recognize and celebrate academic achievement, leadership, positive behavior, personal growth, and athletic accomplishments.
Athlete Health, Safety, and Wellness
• Prioritize the health and safety of all scholar-athletes during practices and competitions.
• Implement appropriate warm-up, cool-down, recovery, hydration, and environmental safety practices.
• Monitor athletes for signs of excessive fatigue, overtraining, injury, dehydration, heat-related illness, or other health concerns.
• Follow all HCZ, school, league, and athletic safety policies and procedures.
• Immediately report injuries, incidents, behavioral concerns, and other relevant matters through established protocols.
• Collaborate with Athletic Trainers, school nurses, Strength & Conditioning staff, and other appropriate professionals regarding scholar-athlete health and readiness.
• Promote healthy training habits and educate scholar-athletes on the importance of recovery, nutrition, hydration, sleep, and injury prevention.
Program Operations
• Support the Head Track & Field Coach with the day-to-day operation of the Track & Field program.
• Maintain accurate records related to athlete participation, attendance, performance, eligibility, competition results, and program outcomes.
• Support the management and maintenance of Track & Field equipment, uniforms, supplies, and program resources.
• Ensure equipment is properly maintained and returned following practices and competitions.
• Assist with scheduling practices, competitions, transportation, facilities, and other program logistics.
• Support the planning and execution of Track & Field events, clinics, showcases, camps, community events, and other program activities.
• Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and professional training environment.
• Provide timely updates regarding program needs, athlete concerns, equipment, facilities, competitions, and other operational matters.
Collaboration and Organizational Alignment
• Collaborate closely with the Head Track & Field Coach, Assistant Athletic Director, Director of Athletics, school leaders, and other coaches to ensure program alignment.
• Support the implementation of HCZ policies, procedures, organizational initiatives, and strategic priorities.
• Participate in required meetings, professional development sessions, trainings, family engagement activities, and organizational events.
• Maintain consistent and professional communication with scholars, families, coaches, school leaders, and external partners.
• Collaborate with CCLR to integrate college, career, leadership, and readiness opportunities into the scholar-athlete experience.
• Collaborate with Wealth Builds to support financial literacy, long-term planning, and economic empowerment opportunities for scholar-athletes and families.
• Build relationships with local running organizations, clubs, colleges, athletic programs, leagues, and other community partners to expand opportunities for scholar-athletes.
• Support a strong, inclusive, collaborative, and mission-aligned Track & Field culture across HCZ.
Compliance and Data-Informed Decision-Making
• Ensure all coaching activities comply with HCZ policies, school requirements, league regulations, and applicable athletic governing-body standards.
• Maintain accurate records of scholar participation, attendance, academic eligibility, performance, competition results, and development.
• Use performance data to inform training plans, event assignments, athlete development, competition preparation, and program improvements.
• Monitor scholar-athletes’ academic eligibility and readiness for collegiate athletic opportunities.
• Research and identify appropriate distance-running competitions, invitationals, showcases, camps, clinics, and collegiate exposure opportunities.
• Support scholar-athletes who demonstrate the potential and interest to pursue collegiate athletics.
• Ensure scholar participation in external competitions and opportunities aligns with applicable school, league, organizational, and NCAA requirements.
Schedule
The Track & Field Distance Coach must be available to work:
Fall/Spring
- Monday–Friday, 1:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
- Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. is required depending on the sport & game schedule.
Summer
- 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
The position may also require attendance at administrative meetings, professional development sessions, athletic events, competitions, invitationals, championships, cross country meets, family engagement activities, and other organizational responsibilities outside of the standard work schedule.
Benefits
As a member of the Harlem Children's Zone team, you will join a supportive and inclusive community dedicated to helping children, families — and our staff — thrive.
Please take a look at our Part-Time benefits below.
Our exceptional Part-Time benefits include:
- Career Advancement
- Paid sick leave
- Employee referral bonus
- Physical wellness discounts
- Commuter benefits
- Additional Benefits (Discounts on flights, hotels, theme parks, concert tickets, and more.)
The salary range for this position is $25-$30 per hour. To be considered, interested applicants should apply directly through the posting. No telephone inquiries or recruiters, please. Replies will only be sent to qualified applicants. Harlem Children's Zone and Promise Academy Charter Schools does not provide work visas for candidates who require employer sponsorship to ensure work authorization in the United States. Harlem Children’s Zone is an EOE.
