Athletics: Head Cheer Coach

Position Description

Head Competitive Cheer Coach

APPLICATION PROCESS AND HIRING TIMELINE INFORMATION

To apply for this position, you should submit:

1. KWU Employment Application
   
2. Cover letter
   
3. Resume/curriculum vitae,
   
4. Three references
   
5. Desired salary
   
6. Please email your application materials to hr@kwu.edu.
   

The timeline for filling this position is:

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Position Description

Head Competitive Cheer Coach

APPLICATION PROCESS AND HIRING TIMELINE INFORMATION

To apply for this position, you should submit:

Apply Now

1. KWU Employment Application
   
2. Cover letter
   
3. Resume/curriculum vitae,
   
4. Three references
   
5. Desired salary
   
6. Please email your application materials to hr@kwu.edu.
   

The timeline for filling this position is:
• Applications will be taken until the position is filled.
•
•

Interviews will begin when qualified applicants are identified and continue until a hiring decision is made.
The position starts as soon as possible.

KWU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity in employment. We will check references of
past employers and personal references. We will acknowledge receipt of your application as soon as we receive it.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

POSITION: Head Competitive Cheer Coach
POSITION’S MAJOR OFFICE: Athletics
MAJOR OFFICE RESPONSIBILITIES: Athletics is responsible for operations of 25 athletics teams, meeting the
requirements of National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and Kansas Collegiate Athletic
Conference (KCAC) regulations. The program recruits’ students to meet roster minimums; focuses on
retention by providing an outstanding student-athlete experience and counseling students appropriately on
academic and other issues; enhances the physical, mental, and social development of the student-athletes
through rigorous practices, appropriate competition and off-field activities including community service; and
provides a connection point for the campus, alumni and Salina community.

POSITION’S DEPARTMENT: Competitive Cheer
POSITION’S DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITIES: The head cheer a coach is expected to recruit student-athletes that
can be successful academically, socially and athletically at Kansas Wesleyan University, meeting a minimum
roster size of 35-45 active unique student-athletes and managers each year; instruct and prepare the student-
athletes for performance and competition within the NAIA structure; schedule and coach intercollegiate
competitions; perform at home basketball and football games plus a limited schedule of road games; counsel
the student-athletes on academic, athletic and social issues; coordinate a team community service program;
provide a connection point for outreach to the campus, alumni and Salina community.

POSITION’S DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Director of Athletics
DATE POSITION LAST REVIEWED OR ANALYZED: February 2024, revised by Director of Athletics and Human
Resources.
POSITION’S EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time/Part time, salaried/exempt (teacher professional exemption), at-
will. Full-time/part-time status will be determined at time of hiring based on the applicant’s qualifications and
experience, with possible Director of Spirt Squad determined at hiring based on the applicant’s qualifications and
experience.

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Position Description – Head Competitive Cheer Coach | Page 1

POSITION’S SALARY OR SALARY RANGE AND BENEFITS: Salary to be determined at hiring based on the applicant’s

qualifications and experience. Benefits are available for full-time employees.

POSITION INFORMATION

POSITION’S SUMMARY: The position is responsible for recruiting and coaching cheer and dance student-athletes

and provides recruiting (and other) support to the University’s athletic band, “The Howl.”

POSITION WORKS WITH: Works significantly with the athletic training staff and sports information director. Also

works with other head coaches, admissions and financial aid staff and other athletics staff members.

POSITION’S BUDGET AUTHORITY: Oversight of the cheer budget
POSITIONS PHYSCIAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Office, weight room and cheer practice and competition facilities.
POSITION’S UNUSUAL HAZARDS OR WORKING CONDITIONS: Position is required to work outdoors during both
hot and cold weather. Demonstrating skills can cause injury. Potential exposure to blood borne pathogens.

POSITION’S EQUIPMENT: University phone, laptop computer, coaching tools, and apparel.
POSITION’S WORK SCHEDULE: Flexible full-time schedule (normal office hours 8 am to 5 pm), arranged around

recruiting, scheduled team practice and competition times, and staff meetings.

POSITION’S TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Significant travel for recruiting, as well as with the team for competitions

and road games.

POSITION DUTIES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

ATHLETICS DUTIES
•

Instruct, teach, and coach student-athletes during practice and competition.

Teaching/Coaching
•
• Ability to choreograph cheer and dance routines for competition and game performance.
•
•

Conduct video analysis and instruction as a teaching and preparation tool.
Plans practice and/or competition strategy.

• Recruiting

•

Identify, evaluate, and recruit potential team members to KWU, recording transactions in Front Rush or
similar university provided recruiting software.

• Retain current KWU students as team members.
•
•

Ensures that program meets annual squad size number (currently 35-45)
Ensures program recruiting activities adhere to University and NAIA Policies and Procedures

• Administration

•

•

•

•
•
•
•

Ensures ongoing eligibility of student athletes in the cheer and dance program and monitors their
academic program. Targets include a 3.00 team GPA and a 90 percent graduation rate for student-
athletes that exhaust eligibility at Kansas Wesleyan.
Provides game-day schedules to assist the team with exceptional performance for spectator participation
and experience.
Conducts inventories of uniforms, supplies and equipment to ensure effective maintenance of physical
resources.
Selects, schedules, and coaches the mascot, including appearances at games and public events.
Effectively uses fiscal resources to coordinate team travel and recruiting.
Ensures that the program participates in at least one Champions of Character activity annually.
Serves as the primary spokesperson for the program in the community, leading at least two team
community service projects annually and participating in at least one additional project personally.
Participates in campus service and leadership opportunities regularly, serving in at least three annually.

•
• Represents the University at conference, regional, state, and national meetings relating specifically to

competitive cheer.

• Works with the SID to provide accurate data for individual and team accomplishments, as well as

competition results.

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Position Description – Head Competitive Cheer Coach | Page 2

POSITION’S OTHER DUTIES:

Provides reports and documentation when required by the Director of Athletics.

•
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Athletics.

POSITION’S PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND STANDARDS: This section lists the specific performance measures
and standards (goals) upon which this position’s performance will be evaluated. Actual performance standards
(goals) for each performance measure will be set in consultation with the position holder.
• Recruiting – sufficient recruiting contacts and evaluations to ensure that the minimum roster size is achieved

as of the 20th day of the fall semester.

• Athletic Success – program finishes in the top 3 at the KCAC Championships and begins to compete for the

•

conference title over time.
Engagement – that the program or the coach meets the above requirements for campus, community and
alumni engagement.
Student-Athlete Welfare – positive program comments in the annual review by student-athletes

•
• University Contribution – the coach, the staff and the student-athletes contribute positively to the university.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

PREFERRED: Bachelor’s degree

EDUCATION:
• MINIMUM REQUIRED: High school diploma.
•
CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES:
• MINIMUM REQUIRED: Completion of the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators
(AACCA) safety course; First Aid/CPR certification (must be active within 60 days of employment); NAIA
Champions of Character Character-Driven Coaches online course and Blood Borne Pathogen online training
(both must be completed within 60 days of employment); Valid driver’s license.
PREFERRED: None

•

WORK EXPERIENCE:
• MINIMUM REQUIRED: Minimum of two years cheer coaching experience.
•

PREFERRED: Experience in recruiting. Collegiate cheer or dance head coaching experience. Experience with
NAIA programs. Five years or more college coaching experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, and ATTITUDES – KSAA’S:
• MINIMUM REQUIRED

Philosophical alignment with the mission and vision of Kansas Wesleyan University.

•
• Demonstrable teamwork and team building skills.
• Demonstrable priority setting and organizational skills.
PREFERRED
• None

•

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Position Description – Head Competitive Cheer Coach | Page 3

NOTICE OF SPECIAL POSITION OR EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

1. THIS POSITION DESCRIPTION IS NOT DESIGNED TO COVER OR CONTAIN A COMPREHESIVE LIST OF ALL
   DUTIES AND RESULTS TO BE PERFORMED IN THIS JOB. DUTIES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS MAY
   BE ADDED, SUBTRACTED, AND/OR CHANGED BY YOUR SUPERVISOR AT ANY TIME DUE TO CHANGES
   IN DEPARTMENT OR UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS.

2. Unless exempt due to an employment contract signed by the President of Kansas Wesleyan
   University, all employees of Kansas Wesleyan are to be considered as an “at-will” employee.

3. All employees of Kansas Wesleyan University are considered “responsible employees” pertaining to
   Title IX regulations concerning both the prevention and reporting of sexual assault or harassment
   situations. As such, all employees must communicate with the Title IX Coordinator if they witness or
   hear about a sexual assault or harassment situation.

4. Kansas Wesleyan University is an equal opportunity employer and complies with EEOC and ADA
   employment requirements. It is and has been the policy of Kansas Wesleyan University to grant
   equal opportunity to all qualified persons without unlawful discrimination based on race, color,
   gender, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or veteran
   status. To fulfill its mission as a United Methodist affiliated institution, preference in hiring shall be
   given to persons who can affirm the Institution’s mission.

5. All “offers of employment” are subject to a criminal background check prior to employment.

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Position Description – Head Competitive Cheer Coach | Page 4

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