Lead Coach for After School Program - 2026 - 2027 School Year

About the Role

ANTS Sports is seeking a motivated, consistent, and sports-passionate Lead Coach to join our school-year team in San Francisco. This is a part-time hourly coaching role with a higher hours commitment and greater site responsibility than a standard ANTS coach position.

The Lead Coach is the most consistent coaching presence at their assigned site — not a rotating staff member, but a daily partner to the Site Lead who knows the students, owns an age group, and helps build a strong team culture. This role has the flexibility to include both morning recess and afternoon after-school program (ASP) coverage.

This position is ideal for coaches who want more hours, want to develop their leadership skills, and are considering a future in youth development, whether at ANTS or beyond.

Schedule & Program Calendar

School Year (August 17, 2026 – June 2, 2027)

• Optional Morning Recess Program: Approx. 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (exact times vary by site), 4 days a week.
• After-School Program (M, T, Th, F): 1:45 PM – 5:00 PM
• After-School Program (Wednesday): 12:35 PM – 5:00 PM
  

Holiday Camps

Lead Coaches may be invited to work designated holiday camp days when SFUSD schools are not in session. Participation in holiday camps is encouraged and may be required depending on site needs. Specific dates will be confirmed in advance.

Summer Camp (June 3 – Mid-August 2027)

Depending on performance and program needs, Lead Coaches may be invited to continue in a summer camp coaching role. Summer camp participation is not guaranteed but is a strong preference for high-performing Lead Coaches.

Age Group Ownership

A core expectation of the Lead Coach role is ownership of a specific student age group. Depending on site composition and Site Lead assignment, the Lead Coach will be responsible for either:

• TK / Kindergarten / 1st Grade: Building developmentally appropriate programming, setting classroom expectations, and creating a safe, playful environment for the youngest students.
• Upper Grades (2nd–5th): Delivering higher-energy, skill-forward sports programming that challenges older students while maintaining a positive and inclusive culture.

Age group assignments will be confirmed with the Site Lead during onboarding. Lead Coaches are expected to know their students by name, understand their behavioral needs, and advocate for them within the team.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

Program Delivery

• Deliver high-quality, age-appropriate sports instruction during both recess and ASP sessions.
• Own the daily experience for your assigned age group, curriculum, tone, and transitions.
• Set up and break down equipment before and after each session.
• Participate in pre-program huddles and post-program reflections with the coaching team.
• Manage group dynamics and maintain a fun, safe environment for 15–30 students at a time.

Site Consistency & Culture

• Serve as a stable, daily coaching presence, your consistency is the core value of this role.
• Build genuine relationships with students, learning names, interests, and behavioral patterns.
• Model ANTS values and the STAR sportsmanship framework for newer or rotating coaches.
• Contribute to a positive, high-energy team culture with the Site Lead and Assistant Site Lead.

Leadership Support

• Support the Site Lead and Assistant Site Lead in daily program operations.
• Step into an expanded role during periods of Site Lead or Assistant Site Lead absence, including managing your age group independently and helping coordinate the broader team.
• Participate in weekly team meetings and any required training sessions.
• Provide informal feedback to the Site Lead on student behavior, curriculum gaps, and team dynamics.

Youth Development & Safety

• Follow ANTS procedures for behavior management, incidents, and escalations.
• Dismiss students safely according to site-specific procedures.
• Maintain awareness of individual student needs, including behavioral support plans, within your age group.
• Report incidents or concerns to the Site Lead promptly and accurately.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum 18 years of age
• High school diploma or equivalent (some college preferred)
• 1+ year of experience working with youth in a program, camp, or educational setting
• Genuine love for sports, physical activity, and working outdoors
• Strong communication skills with TK–5th grade children
• Reliable availability Monday–Friday during program hours
• Available for most or all designated holiday camp days
• CPR and First Aid certification (training available upon hire)
• Fingerprint background check clearance
• TB Test clearance

Benefits

• Work up to 29+ hours per week during the school year.
• A direct path to Site leadership.
• Sports-forward, high-energy culture, more dynamic and fun than traditional ASP programs.
• Real experience in youth sports education, classroom management, and team leadership.
• Supportive team structure, you're not doing this alone. The Site Lead and ASL have your back.