Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425?acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

Who We Are:

A member of the NCAA Division III and the Centennial Conference. Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425?acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

The Department of Physical Education & Athletics actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

The opportunity:

The Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation is currently accepting applications for the full-time position of Assistant Coach for Softball. The successful candidate will understand the mission of Swarthmore College, the role that intercollegiate athletics plays to support it, and will possess a record of successful leadership, preferably as a collegiate student-athlete and/or coach. The Assistant Coach will assist the head coach with all aspects of the program including but not limited to: organization; administration; practice, training, and competition; travel; budget management; programming; alumni relations; recruiting; fundraising; and adherence to College, Department, Conference, and NCAA policies.

The Assistant Coach will also have other essential responsibilities within the Department, which will be assigned based on Departmental needs and/or candidate’s skills and experiences. Additional responsibilities may include serving in other roles—e.g. Facility management, teaching, etc.—as assigned by athletic administration.   

Qualified candidates must possess a bachelor's degree, although preference will be given to those who have a master’s degree and/or previous coaching experience. Candidates will have strong recruiting, teaching, and coaching skills, and an ability to build and maintain relationships with student-athletes, faculty, administration, and community members. Candidates will possess a record of successful leadership in competitive swimming, preferably as a coach, and will understand the role of intercollegiate athletics within the educational framework of a highly competitive academic environment.    

Essential Responsibilities

• Assist with all aspects of the program—including but not limited to: competition, practice, and team activities; travel; budget management; recruitment of student-athletes; fundraising; scheduling; etc.—as determined by Head Coach
• Perform other essential Departmental duties as assigned by athletics administration
• Foster and promote a healthy, inclusive program culture that prioritizes sportsmanship, integrity, the holistic development of student-athletes, and other core values
• Adhere to rules, policies, and regulations of the Department, Swarthmore College, the Centennial Conference, and the NCAA
• Assist with creating and executing recruitment strategies aimed at building a robust and competitive roster
• Follow Departmental procedures in an effective and timely manner 
• Promote the mission and values of Swarthmore College and Swarthmore Athletics
• Ensure all appropriate safety guidelines and standards are followed during practice, competition, travel, and all team activities
• Support and collaborate with athletic administration, as well as support areas (e.g. Sports Medicine, Sports Performance, Athletic Communications, Equipment Room, etc.)
• Demonstrate integrity and high ethical standards in all efforts, actions, and decisions
• Become familiar with campus resources to support student-athletes’ holistic development
• Support the missions, values, and rules of the NCAA, the Centennial Conference, Swarthmore College, and the Department, and satisfy all applicable rules and regulations.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
• Attend departmental meetings and trainings
• Uphold College and Department policies and standards within the program
• Serve on Department and College committees as needed/assigned
• Assist Head Coach with coordinating community service initiatives, programming, and/or team bonding activities
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Who you are:

• A softball coach with previous experience at the collegiate level and who is excited to assist in the holistic development of our student-athletes.
• Demonstrated experience with the pertinent responsibilities and managerial tasks
• Prioritizes safety and wellbeing at all times
• Committed to fostering an inclusive environment while supporting the overall mission and values of the College and the Department.

What you bring:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• 1-3 years related experience coaching at the collegiate level, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Knowledge of sport-specific fundamentals, techniques, and safety rules and regulations
• Knowledge of intercollegiate sports, preferably at the Division III level
• Ability to work independently and manage primary aspects of the program
• Understanding of and adherence to NCAA Division III philosophy, policies, and procedures, as well as those of the Centennial Conference
• Ability to communicate effectively with student-athletes, departmental colleagues, support staff, and various internal and external constituencies
• Ability to recruit with highly selective academic and athletic standards on a national level, instruct, and motivate student-athletes on sport fundamentals

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred
• Current CPR, AED, and First Aid certifications
• 3+ years coaching experience at the collegiate level, or an equivalent combination of education and experience with an emphasis on coaching the infield
• Familiarity and/or experience with recruiting within a highly selective academic setting
• Knowledge of and competency with computers/technologies as needed (e.g. word processing, email)

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications with an uploaded resume.

The market range for this position is $50,000-$53,000 per year, which represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range at the time of posting. The salary offered is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, experience and education of the final selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

Act 153 Clearance Required by Position 

This position may regularly interact with minors. Under Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law, (23 Pa. Cons. Stat. §§6301, et seq.) employees who have direct contact with minors are required to obtain the following background clearances prior to the start of employment:

• Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) through the Pennsylvania State Police
• Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (PACA) through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
• FBI Criminal History Background Check (FBI Fingerprint).

Education Verification Required by Position

An education verification is required for this position because a college degree is a required qualification for this position.

Preview our Benefits Flyer. We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.

2026 Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook

Retirement Plans

Tuition Grant Program

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Paid Time Off (Staff)

Holiday Schedule

Swarthmore College is committed to creating a culture of respect and inclusion so that every member of our community feels a sense of belonging. We actively seek and welcome candidates with diverse perspectives and experiences, exceptional qualifications, and a demonstrable commitment to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any identity or characteristic protected by law or College Policy.