The K-12 Director of Robotics and Coach is an integral member of The Potomac School’s competitive robotics teams and technology department. This is a full-time role, providing leadership and administrative support for the competitive robotics program in grades 7-12. This role will include coaching approximately 10-15 practice hours each week and attending tournament travel and participation during all three seasons. This person will be available to coach and supervise programmatic needs on weekends, attend tournaments and be an additional coach/chaperone for the State, National and World tournaments, if the teams qualify. In addition, the person will teach a class and/or support the IT department.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and provide administrative support for the robotics coaches and teams
  • Ensure adequate space and materials for the team.
  • Report to the US Head of School to inform of any program changes and partner with administrative teams to determine practice hours.
  • Plan the after-school and semi-monthly weekend supervision for the year.
• Partner and collaborate with US and IS robotics coaches on team building
  • Collaborate with coaches to develop a set of team norms and best practices (intellectual property, design collaboration, inter and intra team collaboration, citing in Engineering notebook).
• Ensure a safe working environment in the robotics lab and instill a culture of safety with the students.
  • Ensure oversight of team norms and best practices.
  • Train new coaches and outside coaches about best practices.
•  Work with coaches to plan tournaments for the year for both divisions:
  • Communicate with Division Heads about the proposed tournament schedule
  • Coordinate with Trips Committee and Division Heads to ensure there are no conflicts with calendar, events, or overnight logistics
  •  Communicate with AAs about event logistics (space reservations, catering needs, etc.).
  • Communicate the tournament schedule to parents and students - well in advance
  • Inform athletic directors of tournaments to avoid conflicts
  • Coordinate overnight travel:
  • Coordinate travel (buses for local and air travel for out-of-state)
  • With the help of Division Heads, assist in securing chaperone coverage
  • Train new chaperones when necessary
• Teach a class and/or support the IT
• Manage all the day-to-day operations of the US Robotics program.
• Communicate with parents, students, and coaches regarding program information (in consultation with other faculty members involved).
•  Maintain equipment and, with approval, purchase needed supplies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Foster a culture of innovation, joy and learning at all levels of robotics participation.

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in engineering or a deep technological background with an understanding of the engineering design process.
• Experience working with robotics and knowledge of tournament competition, including VEX V5 system is preferred.
• Ability to communicate, motivate, and understand the students’ educational and emotional needs.
• Enthusiasm and joy for working with students.
• Must be flexible, collaborative, a creative problem-solver, calm, empathetic, and have the ability to multitask.
• Ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with other teachers, support staff, parents and members of the community.
• Ability to recognize and respond to individual and cultural differences in students and use different teaching methods that inspire high student engagement and achievement.
  ? Ability to engage students in the engineering design process, including documentation in a design notebook; demonstrate and emphasize the value of creativity in the design process; articulate and teach best practices for robot design and building.
• Must be familiar and comfortable working with software and mechanical elements, including Robotics hardware and software, programming, AutoCAD software, troubleshooting, chassis design, drive trains, arms, lifts, and mechanisms.

In striving to fulfill its mission, The Potomac School seeks many different voices, viewpoints, and backgrounds. We recognize that differences are a source of strength, and we know that everyone is enriched when each person's contributions and perspectives are valued.

About The Potomac School

The Potomac School is an independent K-12 day school located in McLean, Va. While we are a K-12 school, we are more accurately described as a K through lifetime experience. We nurture the development of our students as unique individuals and as contributing members of a vibrant learning community. Our school comprises four distinct yet interconnected divisions, joined through a shared mission, integrated curriculum, and deeply rooted communal ties. We enjoy the beauty and natural resources of our 90-acre campus, our athletic fields, woods, streams, and ponds providing a rare and wonderful setting for each student's educational journey. Mission: At The Potomac School, we believe that intellectual development, love of learning, and strength of character are complementary, and equally essential, educational goals. With a firm commitment to our core values and a rigorous academic program, we prepare students to lead lives of purpose, achievement, and generosity of spirit.

Connections working at The Potomac School