Fitchburg State University is seeking a dynamic and motivated coach to lead the development and launch of its Women's Ice Hockey program. This is an opportunity to cultivate the team's core values and operational ethos while executing the recruitment plan of high-caliber student-athletes to ensure long-term competitiveness and sustainability within the NCAA Division III & MASCAC structure.  The team will begin its first varsity season in 2027-2028.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Serve as head coach of women’s ice hockey and assist with the management of athletic department student employees.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Assigned assistant coaches, student employees and intercollegiate team members.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Head Women’s Ice Hockey Coach Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Organize and direct the day-to-day operations of the women’s ice hockey team, including teaching skills and strategies for the specific sport during practices and games in the traditional and non-traditional seasons.
2. Develop and manage a recruiting plan that meets new student enrollment goals. Correspond with high school coaches, club coaches, contact prospective student-athletes, evaluate talent and meet with prospective students as available.  Maintain statistics on contacts and evaluations.
3. Develop knowledge of and abide by current NCAA, MASCAC, or other affiliated conferences, rules and regulations regarding recruiting, eligibility and sport-specific rules concerning practice and playing seasons.
4. Maintain knowledge of current sport game rules and changes to those rules as they occur.
5. Attend all contests. Travel with the team to all away contests or assign a member of staff to travel with the team.  Drive team vehicles to away contests as required.
6. Hire, supervise and evaluate assistant coaches.
7. Submit proposed practice schedule to Head Athletic Trainer and communicate any requests for schedule changes.
8. Ensure minimum roster size is met and prepare a list of prospective participants for the Compliance Officer for eligibility review. Review eligibility rules with all participants.
9. Conduct fundraising projects as desired in compliance with all regulations of the department and the Booster Club.
10. Review transportation and meal arrangements prior to season and request changes to Assistant Athletic Director both prior to and during season.
11. Secure meal money and forms before away contests. Return all meal forms and unused money to the Athletic Office as soon as possible or prior to the next trip.
12. Review score-reporting procedure with the SID and report all game results as requested immediately following the contest.
13. Complete and submit officials' rating cards/forms as required by officials assigning bureau.
14. File a report, within 24 hours, to the Director of Athletics in regard to any infraction of institutional, Departmental or governing bodies rules, which result in disciplinary action, i.e. ejection from contests, unsportsmanlike behavior, etc.
15. Confer with the Athletic Trainers regarding the status of injured athletes.
16. Assume supervisory control over all phases of team's participation. Create a safe and positive environment for student-athletes.  Emphasize and enforce the student-athlete code of conduct and any team rules in a firm and equitable manner.  Conduct oneself in an ethical manner during practices and contests and demand appropriate behavior from all team personnel.
17. Submit recommendations to the Director of Athletics regarding schedule, facilities, support staff, budget, transportation and equipment.
18. Complete all required departmental, conference and NCAA paperwork in a timely fashion as requested.
19. Participate in all Admissions Open House and other recruiting events.
20. Attend all department meetings and functions as requested. Support all department programs as available.
21. Other duties as assigned.

Athletic Department Student Employment Manager Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Recruit & hire all student employees for the department, including game, office, equipment/laundry, team managers, athletic training and other student support staff.
2. Conduct training and onboarding throughout the year for student staff.
3. Submit payroll for student staff in compliance with university regulations.
4. Staff and schedule all student employees for all home games and in coordination with area supervisors.
5. Occasional game management oversight.
6. Other duties as assigned.
   
   

1. Master's Degree preferred.
2. Three to five years of intercollegiate head or assistant coaching experience in ice hockey, preferably women’s ice hockey.
3. Collegiate coaching experience at a state university and NCAA Division III preferred.
4. Ability to organize, administer and supervise programs and services within a collegiate athletic department.
5. Ability to effectively relate to students, faculty, staff and the general public.
6. Weekend and evening hours will be required.
7. Must be able to satisfactorily pass a check conducted by the Criminal History Systems Board (CORI) as well as a completed background check satisfactory to the university.
8. Ability to perform above duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

This position qualifies as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) and is designated as such, effective September 2024.  A CSA is a person designated to report crimes that occur on campus to the University Police Department. CSAs are designated under the Clery Act and must complete annual training on reporting crimes, victim relations and support, and related University policies. 

About Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg State University, located in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, is a public institution dedicated to integrating high-quality professional programs with strong liberal arts and sciences studies. Founded in 1894, the university now has more than 30 undergraduate programs and 22 master's degree programs, and 7,000 full and part-time students.

Connections working at Fitchburg State University