Soccer for Youth Development Coach Mentor

Who We Are:

Starfinder Foundation is a nonprofit organization that uses soccer to inspire social change and transform the lives of youth in underserved communities, one kid at a time. Our vision is a Philadelphia region where the playing field is level, and all kids are thriving.

We are guided by the following principles:

• All kids deserve to learn, grow, and thrive.
• A strong community is our greatest asset.
• Young people have a great deal to contribute.
• Soccer is a powerful vehicle for youth development.
• Play makes life better.

Why We Do It

At Starfinder Foundation (Starfinder), we are actively refuting the idea that Philadelphia’s underserved youth need to stay underserved. We refute the idea that only the kids with the most resources can be successful or that graduation and college is attainable to some, but not to all.

Therefore, we do not just help kids on the soccer field; we help them develop off the field too. We provide educational resources, emotional support, and leadership training. We cultivate a supportive, tight-knit community that pushes young people forward.

Starfinder is an award winning, internationally recognized nonprofit organization that promotes positive youth development for pre-school, elementary, middle, and high school youth through high-quality sports-based youth development programming. We use soccer as a framework to provide the opportunity and support youth in becoming healthy contributors to their communities.

We offer young people an experience through which they can excel in athletics while practicing life and leadership skills in a safe, fun, supportive and challenging environment.

What We Do

Starfinder hosts sport-based youth development programs at our indoor turf facility in the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia and partner locations around Philadelphia. We utilize the power of soccer to engage youth of all abilities in skill development, leadership activities, social engagement, communications, and confidence building. Each session begins with an intention setting discussion and ends with a conversation centered on reflection of the session. In between those moments are a progressive course of soccer skills, drills, and games that focus on the fundamentals of the game. Along with soccer, team building activities, challenges, and some non-soccer games are mixed in to create an all-around, enjoyable, and fun experience for all participants!

What We Need

Immediate Need- Part Time ranging from 4-16 hours per week. You will be trained in trauma informed practices for positive youth development, and demonstrated experience in these strategies are a bonus! While we expect soccer knowledge, this will be as important for your success.

• Saturdays 10am-2pm, or up to 4 hours at another given time
• Monday & Wednesday hours available between 12:30pm to 6:00pm

*Other opportunities for hours as needed

What You Will Do

All staff is expected to practice and exemplify the Starfinder agreement: REACH

• Readiness: Be prepared to work, learn, and contribute. Be ON TIME to sessions, staff training, events, and activities.
• Empathy: Everyone’s experiences matter. Be compassionate & understanding.
• Attitude: View both success and failure as opportunity.
• Communicate: Use your voice and hear others.
• Hard Work: You have control over your effort – 100%

Serve as a Coach Mentor to an assigned program, this includes leading soccer and leadership activities, planning and studying curriculum and being active participants with campers during sessions.

Arriving on time to prepare the space for session and organize lesson plans with co-coaches.

Set up and break down equipment, and maintain facilities and equipment based on Starfinder’s standards daily

Assist in delivering and/or leading soccer activities.

Initiate team time and engage youth with reflections topics.

Communicate with youth and parents about Starfinder to spread mission and program information.

Support program measurement and evaluation plans (daily attendance, weekly progress evaluations, awards and recognition, photos, distribution of surveys to parents/guardians, etc.).

Develop appropriate, supportive relationships with all program participants.

Participate in all staff training sessions, meetings, trainings, and other professional development opportunities.

Other duties as assigned.

Who we are looking for

The ideal candidate for this position is someone who

Has experience working with children…and loves them!

Has been called the energizer bunny or Sonic the Hedgehog once or twice in their lives.

Values the process of skill building and praises effort and hard work over just the results.

Is flexible and can adapt to the needs of the team on any given day.

Can give and receive in a positive way and without judgement.

Requirements

• PA State Police Criminal background
• PA Department of Public Welfare Childline Abuse History Clearance
• Act 126 Training
• FBI Criminal History Background Checks
• CPR/First Aid Certification (Courses may be available to candidates)

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $15.00 - $17.00 per hour

Expected hours: 4 – 16 per week

Benefits:

• Paid training

Grade levels:

• High school

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Are you a past participant or alum of any of Starfinder's programs, (Senior Leaders, Playmakers, Junior Leaders, etc.)

Please include the program and years participated.

Work Location: In person