Supervisor for this role: Chris Coogen

Type of role: Part-time Coaches

Compensation: Stipend, $2,000 to $5,000

Ideal start date: Flexible:  9/5/24 and/or 11/4/24 (for pre-season work)

About the Role

GDS is looking for an experienced individual to lead and mentor a 3-time award-winning team of high school students in the design, development, and competition of a robot for the FIRST Robotics Competition. The coach will work with the students to develop their skills in engineering, programming, and project management, while fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusiveness, and lifelong learning.

During the pre-season, September - December the team will meet once a week from 3:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. The FIRST Robotics season runs from early January to early April and during the the season, the team meets five days per week, as follows: on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This position will require some weekend commitments for competitions. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic about sharing their passion for STEM with the next generation of engineers and scientists.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and mentor a team of high school students in the design, development, and competition of a robot for the FIRST Robotics Competition.

• Work with the team to develop a project plan, including deadlines and deliverables, and ensure that the project stays on track.

• Collaborate with other team members, including teachers, mentors, and industry professionals, to ensure the success of the project.

• Teach the students engineering principles, programming, and project management skills.

• Assist the team in preparing a Business Plan, financial planning/budget for the season 

• Assist team members with writing code to control robot in C++, Java, Robot C or LabVIEW (depending on the program) 

• Assist with the design and construction of the robot

• Foster a culture of inclusiveness and collaboration, encouraging all team members to contribute their ideas and skills to the project.

• Ensure that all team members have the resources and equipment they need to complete the project.

• Attend and represent the team at local and regional FIRST Robotics competitions.

• While at overnight competitions, supervise and ensure the safety of students, assisting with transportation and coordinating competition schedules and handling any emergencies. 

• Coaching responsibilities include 2-4 competitions (1-3 of which are overnight trips). These are 3-4 day events (3 days for the regular season competitions and 4 days for championships); where coaches are responsible for the team 24-hours/day. The non-overnight trips are 12-hour days.

Pre-season Responsibilities: 

• Define Team Roles: Assign roles such as project manager, mechanical, electrical, and programming leadership Schedule regular meetings to discuss goals, assign tasks, and track progress.

• Programming: Practice coding in relevant languages (e.g., Java,) and familiarize with the team's development environment. Also, practice and improve on CAD skills (e.g. Fusion 360 or Onshape) 

• Build Practice: Build different prototypes, practice design and construction skills. Experiment with different mechanisms and create mini challenges and team building exercises.   

The ideal candidate will:

• Be a flexible, collaborative person who sincerely enjoys connecting and learning with young people in a dynamic high school environment.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field.

• Experience in coaching and mentoring young people in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activities.

• Availability to attend and represent the team at local and regional FIRST Robotics competitions.

• Cherish working in a diverse and inclusive community of active learners

• Passion for teaching and fostering the development of young people.

• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.

• Interest & experience in the “maker arts,” DIY & fabrication

Americans with Disability Specifications

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and list of three references using our online application system through ADP/Workforce Now: http://www.gds.org/Recruiting. To find out more about the school, candidates should visit our website at www.gds.org.

Summary of Employee Benefits: https://www.gds.org/about/careers-at-gds

As an inclusive school devoted to preparing our students to live, work, and lead in an increasingly globalized and multicultural society, GDS is particularly interested in professionals with demonstrated interest and experience in working in such a school setting and is driven by the core charge of working to enhance and bring joy to every student’s individual learning experience in equitable and meaningful ways.