Academic Schedule B - FIRST Tech Challenge Coach

Position Summary

TThe FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Coach is responsible for organizing, coordinating, and supervising the school’s participation in the FIRST Tech Challenge robotics program. This role involves guiding students through the design, building, programming, and competition processes while fostering teamwork, problem-solving, and innovation. The Coach works closely with students, parents, staff, and community mentors to promote STEM engagement and ensure a safe, supportive, and productive environment for all participants.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Coordination

Organize and oversee all FTC-related activities, including meetings, build sessions, programming work, and competitions.

Hold a minimum of two meetings per month or as determined by administration.

Develop and submit a yearly program calendar at the beginning of the season, including all relevant meeting and competition dates.

Communicate schedules and updates clearly to students, parents, and staff.

Enter all meetings, events, and competitions into the district’s facility use system (FMX).

Register for and coordinate participation in outside competitions.

Recruitment & Promotion

Coordinate program marketing and student recruitment activities.

Encourage inclusive participation, ensuring opportunities for students of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

Budget & Resource Management

Maintain working knowledge of the program’s budget.

Collect and deposit funds in accordance with Board of Education policy.

Oversee purchases of equipment, materials, and supplies, ensuring compliance with district procedures.

Manage and maintain robotics equipment, tools, and materials in safe working condition.

Mentorship & Student Development

Provide guidance to students in mechanical design, programming, engineering principles, and competition strategy.

Foster teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership skills among participants.

Ensure a safe learning and working environment for all students.

Qualification Requirements

To excel in this role, an individual must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform each essential duty effectively. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervise students individually and in small or large groups during meetings, work sessions, and competitions.

May oversee parents, community mentors, and volunteers during program activities and events.

Skills and Abilities

Language Skills

Ability to read, write, and interpret documents, instructions, and correspondence accurately.

Strong verbal and written communication skills to engage students, parents, mentors, and staff.

Mathematics Skills

Proficiency in performing basic and advanced mathematical calculations, including measurements, ratios, percentages, and graph interpretation relevant to engineering and robotics.

Reasoning Ability

Apply sound judgment, troubleshooting skills, and problem-solving techniques in technical and competition scenarios.

Other Skills and Abilities

Ability to foster positive, productive relationships with students, staff, parents, and community members.

Understanding of district policies, Board of Education requirements, and competition regulations.

Comfort with technology, programming, and engineering concepts preferred.

Physical Demands

Frequently required to walk, stand, sit, talk, and listen.

Occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

May lift or move objects up to 50 pounds, including robotics equipment and tools.

Vision requirements include close, distance, and peripheral vision.

Work Environment

Noise levels range from quiet to loud, depending on activities.

Work is performed in classrooms, labs, workshops, and competition venues.

Compensation

Compensation is in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement between Richmond Community Schools and MEA-Local 1/Richmond Education Association (REA).

Application Process

Interested candidates must apply online via TalentEd:

Questions regarding this position may be directed to:

Sarah Mitchell-Ogden

Director of Human Resources

Email:

Phone:, ext. 6050

Non-Discrimination Statement

In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title II of the Americans with Disability Act of 1990, and Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act of 1977, it is the policy of the Richmond Community School District that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion,military status, national origin or ancestry, sex, disability, age (except as authorized by law,) height, weight, or marital status be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to, discrimination during any program, activity, service or in employment. Should you need to contact someone about discrimination of any kind in the school district, contact the Superintendent at 35276 Division, Richmond, MI 48062.