Ridgefield Aquatic Club seeks full-time assistant coach with salary up to $55,000 per year

Ridgefield Aquatic Club (RAC), a private, nonprofit swim club in Ridgefield, Connecticut, has opened applications for a full-time assistant coach position. The annual base salary ranges from $49,000 to $55,000 depending on experience and qualifications. The club also offers a performance bonus of up to $5,000, a $5,250 health-insurance stipend, a $1,200 phone allowance, a $1,000 annual retirement contribution, and 14 paid vacation days. Approved expense reimbursement is also included. The job posting emphasizes energy, technical knowledge, sound judgment, and a commitment to long-term athlete development. The assistant coach will lead assigned competitive and Olympic Way squads, provide coverage for other groups, and create seasonal and daily training plans. These plans must focus on technique, age-appropriate progression, racing skills, physical literacy, and the USA Swimming American Development Model. The successful candidate will work weekday afternoons and evenings, attend weekend meets, travel with the team, and complete regular administrative duties. Responsibilities include meet selection, eligibility review, entries, relays, travel planning, deck assignments, and post-meet follow-up. The coach must also track attendance, athlete progress, goals, and coach observations while communicating professionally with swimmers and families. RAC requires applicants to have prior competitive swim coaching experience and the ability to teach stroke technique and racing skills. They must be USA Swimming coach members in good standing or be able to meet all membership and safety requirements before athlete contact. Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal skills are essential. The club also expects availability for evenings, weekends, championship meets, and occasional travel. Preferred qualifications include experience leading an age-group or senior training group within a USA Swimming club, USA Swimming University education, American Development Model education, ASCA coursework, or a comparable professional development background. Familiarity with meet-entry and team-management systems, athlete tracking, and parent communications is a plus. A college degree in coaching, education, kinesiology, sport management, or a related field is preferred but not mandatory. The club describes itself as coach-led and parent-supported, operating under Connecticut Swimming. It serves swimmers from pre-competitive development through national-level training. This structure explains why communication, collaboration, and respect for Safe Sport rules are central to the role. Applicants should also be aware that the coaching schedule extends beyond regular office hours and can include long weekends at championship meets. RAC is an equal opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations for the application and interview process are available upon request. Interested candidates should email a resume and cover letter to Head Coach and CEO Emmanuel Lanzo. This job opening reflects a broader trend in American swimming: community clubs are increasingly professionalizing their coaching staff and offering clear compensation packages. While the base salary may not be the highest in the country, the combined benefits make it competitive for a nonprofit club. More importantly, the role offers an opportunity to contribute to the sustainable development of young athletes, not just immediate results.