Tots Soccer Coach-Mentor

Position Summary:

The Tots Soccer Coach-Mentor introduces 3- and 4-year-old preschool students to soccer and physical activity through imaginative, age-appropriate activities that encourage movement, creativity, exploration, and fun. The position creates a safe, supportive, and playful environment where young children can build basic motor skills, confidence, listening skills, positive social interactions, and an early enjoyment of being active.

Key Responsibilities:

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Coaching & Youth Development

• Attend all assigned Tots program sessions and arrive prepared and on time.
• Assist the Lead Coach in delivering imaginative, age-appropriate soccer lessons and movement activities for preschool students.
• Use clear demonstrations, simple instructions, storytelling, and positive reinforcement to encourage participation.
• Actively participate in games and activities to help children stay engaged and have fun.
• Create a safe, supportive, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate learning environment.
• Build positive relationships with children and model patience, kindness, enthusiasm, and respect.
• Support basic motor development, listening skills, confidence, creativity, and positive social interaction.
• Collaborate with the Site Lead, fellow coaches, preschool staff, and volunteers to ensure each session runs smoothly.
• Assist with setting up, organizing, sanitizing as appropriate, and storing program equipment before and after each session.
• Communicate professionally with ASA staff, school personnel, students, and families.
• Uphold ASA mission and values by promoting inclusion, respect, youth development, and positive community impact.

Program Details & Schedule

• Age group: 3-4 years old.
• Approximately 1.5-hour sessions, Monday-Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
• Program cycles generally last 6-8 weeks.
• Coaches may rotate between preschool or school locations throughout Alexandria on a daily basis.
• Flexible scheduling options may be available based on program needs and coach availability.

Required Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years old. Exceptional 17-year-old candidates with relevant coaching or youth development experience may be considered.
• Ability to successfully complete a criminal background check provided and paid for by ASA.
• Reliable transportation to assigned program locations throughout Alexandria.
• Ability to work collaboratively with coaches, school staff, volunteers, students, and families.
• Demonstrated enthusiasm, reliability, punctuality, professionalism, and commitment to creating positive experiences for children.
• Ability to assist in leading groups of preschool-age children in a safe, engaging, patient, and structured environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED preferred, but not required. All qualified candidates will be considered.
• Previous soccer playing, coaching, youth development, education, recreation, or athletics experience.
• A genuine passion for mentoring youth and supporting confidence, teamwork, healthy habits, and social-emotional development.
• Experience working with preschool-age children or knowledge of early childhood development.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in active indoor and outdoor school and sports environments and in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to stand, walk, run, bend, kneel, crouch, and actively participate in soccer activities for extended periods.
• Ability to set up, move, and store program equipment and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.