Posted on November 6, 2009

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Athletics Director

I Challenge Myself (ICM) seeks a full-time Athletics Director to help strengthen and enhance its current Cycling Smarts programs at three New York City public high schools. An additional school is scheduled to start implementing Cycling Smarts in September 2010.

Cycling Smarts uses fitness challenges currently a 2-hour Spin-A-Thon and a 1-day 100-miles bike ride, which provide tangible goals that help students improve their perception of themselves and what they can accomplish. Students participate in 225-450 minutes per week (3-5 days a week) of moderate to vigorous cross training program consisting of indoor spinning, outdoor cycling, indoor swimming, resistance training, and/or running. For 60-90 minutes each week students authentically make connections between the fitness activities they are participating in and academic subjects in the classroom as they learn to calculate their caloric intake, track their resting and aerobic heart rates, or conduct research of sights and neighborhoods they encounter on their bike rides.

The Athletics Director will work closely with ICM’s ED and is expected to spend 2-3 afternoons each week at one or more of the Cycling Smarts sites. The applicant must posses A minimum of seven years work experience in a youth development agency that includes management and supervision experience, with at least two years in a leadership capacity.

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated skills in program planning, program implementation, and program evaluation.
• The ability to supervise multiple sites throughout the city.
• The applicant must be a strong and skilled cyclist with interests and skills in other sports and fitness activities
• Strong understanding and experience with youth development principles within a sports/fitness context
• Innovative thinker and problem solver
• Strong collaborative skills
• Experience working

Programmatic Responsibilities

• Provide supervisory support to the three (3) existing Cycling Smarts Teams in the implementation of Cycling Smarts program. Please note that a 4th high school will begin implementing Cycling Smarts in September 2010.
• Coordinate and facilitate regular planning meetings with Cycling Smarts Teams in Washington Heights, North Bronx and Upper West Side.
• Develop and facilitate process for sharing of best practices across Cycling Smarts program sites.
• Help maintain a fleet of 65+ bikes and related equipment at each site.
• Develop the recruitment, training, placement and support of volunteer cycling coaches/college/grad school PE student interns to assist in outdoor bicycle rides and Cycling Smarts cross training program.
• Organize (scout routes, create cue sheets, etc.) and co-lead outdoor training rides and ensure rides align with Cycling Smarts youth development, academic and fitness goals, including ICM’s annual Century Ride in June and Spin-A-Thon in January.
• Organize and co-host end of year celebratory recognition events for students, Cycling Smarts staff and their families (one each semester).
• Make necessary edits and additions to the existing Cycling Smarts curriculum that will be used across sites. Candidate must be a strong writer with great attention to detail.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Purchase and maintain records of all Cycling Smarts equipment (bikes, helmets, tubes, tires, etc.)
• Purchase and organize storage areas at all Cycling Smarts sites.
• Develop and maintain inventory controls at all Cycling Smarts sites in collaboration with Coaches.
• Coordinate national cycling instructor certification of Cycling Smarts staff in collaboration with a partner CBO.
• Ensure that all Cycling Smarts sites are in compliance with ICM and NYC Dept. of Education safety regulations.
• Disseminate, collect and input student attendance data, student enrollment data and evaluation surveys to the project evaluator and to ICM’s Executive Director.
• Participate in project evaluation activities.
• Others tasks as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• AED/CPR and First Aid certification.
• LCI certification a plus. (Adventure Cycling or NOLS certification are highly desirable.)
• BA or BS in physical education, secondary education, health, physiology, social work or a field related to youth/human development. MA a plus.
• At least three-years experience working with high school age youth, extensive cycling and athletic coaching experience.
• Prior experience managing/administering grants at the City, State or Federal level.
• Prior experience planning/designing and assessing youth sports related curricula and program.
• Strong strategic planning skills a must.
• Ability to work independently and as part of team.
• Excellent computer skills: MSWord, MSExcel, MSPowerPoint, MSPublisher. Familiarity with PhotoShop, web design and/or film editing software a plus.
• Excellent presentation, facilitation, oral and writing skills.
• Extensive knowledge of nutrition, health and fitness training and NYC area cycling and other non traditional sports/ fitness activities.
• Familiarity with the NYC. Department of Education and high school performance and graduation requirements.
• Valid New York State Driver’s license. Car a plus.
• Must be available to co-lead or attend weekday afternoons (3PM-6PM), Saturday or Sunday training rides during school year.
• Ability to lift weights over 20 lbs.
• Experience working with adolescents and sports, specifically cycling, swimming, indoor spinning, weight training.

Salary: $40,000-$45,000 plus medical benefits.

ICM is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, or marital status. Applications from women and people of color are strongly encouraged.

1. Cover letter that includes: relevant experience coaching adults and/or high school students; youth development experience; cycling and other sports expertise; salary requirements.
2. Resume
3. List of 3 professional references w/ contact information (at least 2 must be from supervisors)

To Apply: Please send to:

Ana M. Reyes
Founder & President
I Challenge Myself
1460 Broadway, 1013
New York, NY 10036
Fax: (718) 735-4015
E-mail: anar@ichallengemyself.org

Find out more by visiting the organization's web site»

Job Type: Program
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organizations