Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ)—a world-renowned education and poverty-fighting organization based in New York—seeks an enthusiastic, dedicated, and mission-aligned Track & Field Distance Coach .
The Track & Field Distance Coach will bring a strong commitment to Harlem Children’s Zone’s mission of breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty through comprehensive, on-the-ground programming that creates opportunities for children and families to thrive in school, work, and life.
We are seeking an experienced Track & Field Distance Coach to lead the development of scholar-athletes competing in distance events across our elementary, middle, and high school programs. The Distance Coach will be responsible for providing high-quality instruction, developing scholar-athletes’ technical, physical, tactical, and mental skills, preparing athletes for competition, and contributing to the overall growth and success of the HCZ Track & Field program.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a passion for HCZ’s mission, an understanding of and respect for the Harlem community, and experience working with youth in a school-based or community-based setting. The successful candidate will use athletics as a platform to promote academic achievement, leadership, accountability, discipline, teamwork, resilience, and personal growth.
For more information, check out Want to Work at Harlem Children's Zone? Here's 7 Things You Need to Know .
• High school diploma or GED required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• At least three years of experience coaching track and field, cross country, distance running, or a related endurance sport, preferably at the middle school, high school, collegiate, club, or elite competitive level.
• Demonstrated experience coaching distance events, including but not limited to the 800m, 1500m/1600m, 3000m, 3200m, 5K, and cross country.
• Strong knowledge of distance running principles, race strategy, conditioning, training methodology, recovery, injury prevention, and athlete development.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement progressive training programs appropriate for youth and adolescent athletes.
• Experience coaching and supporting youth and adolescent populations.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, develop, mentor, and retain scholar-athletes.
• Commitment to the mission, values, and programs of Harlem Children’s Zone.
• Strong leadership, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate records, and meet established deadlines.
• A positive, enthusiastic, collaborative, flexible, and solutions-oriented mindset.
• Ability to work effectively with scholars, families, coaches, school leaders, HCZ colleagues, community organizations, and external partners.
• CPR and First Aid certification, or the ability to obtain certification within the required timeframe.
• Ability to travel to away meets, cross country competitions, tournaments, invitationals, championships, and other athletic events.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours as required by the athletic schedule.
Who You Are
The Track & Field Distance Coach is responsible for the development and performance of scholar-athletes competing in distance events while contributing to the overall success and culture of the HCZ Track & Field program.
The Distance Coach will design and implement age-appropriate training plans, lead practices, prepare athletes for competition, evaluate performance, and provide individualized coaching and feedback. The coach will work closely with the Head Track & Field Coach, Assistant Athletic Director, Director of Athletics, school leadership, and other coaching staff to ensure consistency in training, expectations, athlete development, and program operations.
The successful candidate understands that coaching extends beyond athletic performance. They will serve as a mentor and role model who promotes academic accountability, positive behavior, discipline, leadership, teamwork, resilience, healthy habits, and long-term scholar development.
The Distance Coach must understand the importance of developing athletes progressively and safely. They should be able to balance competitive expectations with appropriate training loads, recovery, conditioning, injury prevention, and the individual needs of developing athletes.
What You’ll Do
Distance Program Leadership and Training
• In collaboration with the Head Track & Field Coach and Athletic Leadership, develop and implement a comprehensive distance-training program for elementary, middle, and high school scholar-athletes.
• Design age-appropriate, progressive training plans that develop endurance, speed endurance, strength, mobility, running mechanics, race strategy, and overall athletic performance.
• Lead daily practices and distance-specific training sessions in accordance with the overall Track & Field program schedule.
• Develop individualized training plans based on athlete ability, experience, event specialization, competition schedule, and developmental needs.
• Prepare scholar-athletes for distance events, including the 800m, 1500m/1600m, 3000m, 3200m, 5K, cross country, and other applicable endurance events.
• Teach proper running mechanics, pacing, race strategy, warm-up and cool-down procedures, recovery techniques, and training principles.
• Monitor training volume, intensity, recovery, and athlete readiness to support healthy and sustainable development.
• Incorporate strength, mobility, flexibility, conditioning, and injury-prevention strategies appropriate for distance athletes.
• Collaborate with Strength & Conditioning staff, Athletic Trainers, medical personnel, and other coaches when appropriate to support athlete health and performance.
• Evaluate athlete performance through practices, competitions, time trials, fitness assessments, and other appropriate measures.
• Use performance data to establish goals and adjust training plans.
• Identify and develop