Title: Upper School Assistant Robotics Coach
Reports to: Director of Innovation and Experiential Education
Supervises: N/A
FLSA Status: Exempt
FTE: Part-Time/Seasonal
Compensation: $6000
University Prep is seeking a dynamic, creative and compassionate Robotics Coach to help advance our vision of an inclusive, forward-thinking community. In this role, you will lead and mentor upper school students through hands-on robotics, fostering technical skills, engineering design, and collaborative problem-solving. Prior experience with robotics is not required for this Assistant Coaching role, but you must be willing and able to learn throughout the season. We are looking for an educator who deeply understands the social-emotional growth of young learners, balances independent leadership with team collaboration, and champions inclusive practices. If you are passionate about inspiring the next generation of innovators within a culturally rich, diverse school environment, we would love to hear from you.
Job Summary
The Upper School VEX V5 Assistant Coach supports the team's day-to-day training and competition program, serving as an instructor, supervisor, and mentor for student participants. Coaches are expected to be fully present and undivided in their attention during all scheduled practice and competition times. The regular season runs from the start of school in September through February.
Practice Responsibilities:
- Lead practice three days per week, after school from 3:00–5:30 PM. Specific days will be chosen mutually.
- Be present and actively engaged for the full duration of practice sessions
- Maintain discipline and respect for all members.
- Actively build your own skills in the fundamentals of VEX V5 through reading, research, and learning from the students and the Academic Technology Program Manager.
- Actively guide students in building and coding their VEX V5 robots as you gain experience. As per VEX rules, the students must do and understand their own work, but coaches can and must guide students in mastering robotics, teamwork, and resilience.
- Guide the team in maintaining their engineering notebook throughout the season. As with build and code, notebook content must be written and organized by the students, but coaches must teach and reinforce good documentation habits.
- Ensure coaching accommodates the full range of student experience levels, so newer or less experienced students stay actively included in build, code, and notebook work rather than sidelined by more experienced teammates
- Maintain order in the shared team space - both by guiding students to keep it organized, and by organizing it directly when students do not
- Build positive, supportive relationships with student team members
Competition Responsibilities:
- Attend and lead the team through 3-4 all-day weekend competitions per season
- Be present and actively engaged for the full duration of every competition day
- Manage student check-in and check-out at each competition
- Coordinate lunch and snacks for students throughout the competition day
- Keep students on task and on schedule throughout the day's events
- Dedicate practice and competition time to Robot Skills and Programming Skills runs, which are scored separately from teamwork matches and can count toward qualification for higher-level events
- Manage and transport extra parts and supplies needed for competition
- Build relationships with students and their parents at competitions
- Take photos for use in UPrep marketing and celebration of team achievements, respecting any student with a “do not photograph” note on file with the school
Attendance & Coverage:
- For planned absences, coordinate coverage with the Academic Technology Program Manager at least two weeks in advance
- For emergencies, notify the Academic Technology Program Manager as soon as possible
Season-Long Responsibilities:
- Maintain thorough, current knowledge of this year's VEX V5 Game Manual
- Develop personal capability in building and coding for VEX robotics with the help of the Academic Technology Program Manager. While students are expected to do their own research, the coach must step in and help with any area where students need additional assistance understanding the robotics system.
- Maintain and organize the shared team space outside of scheduled practice and competition time as needed
End of Season Responsibilities:
- Attend a season debrief meeting with the Academic Technology Program Manager
- Inventory, label, and store parts and supplies for the off-season
- Return any loaned equipment
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- 2+ years of experience in school or youth environment
- Be an employee of University Prep, or an approved contracted coach, in good standing
- Have working knowledge of VEX robotics build and coding systems, or a demonstrated ability to learn quickly
- Be able to work effectively with upper-school-aged students in a hands-on setting
- Be able to maintain organized systems for a shared physical space and its materials
- Be available for the full practice and competition schedule outlined above, without conflicting commitments
- Complete any required background check and school onboarding requirements
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Ability to review and understand VEX challenges and explain them to students
- Ability to work with beginner and expert students alike
- Skills of sustaining student motivation and engagement
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively with students, staff, faculty, coaches, and parents
- Understanding of and commitment to the school mission, vision, values, and strategic initiatives
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusivity, and belonging
- Strong attention to detail and follow-through
- Ability to maintain confidential information
- Flexibility, maturity and a sense of humor
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
- Ability to travel locally
Compensation:
- $6,000 stipend, paid at the completion of the season
- Reimbursement for approved parts, snack, and supply purchases using Bill.com
If this sounds like you, please click on Apply Now and complete our online employment application.
Position open until filled. No phone calls or drop-ins please.
www.universityprep.org
