The Head Women’s Softball Coach / Retention Coordinator is a 12-month, full-time position reporting directly to the Director of Athletics. This position is responsible for leading all aspects of the women’s softball program at the NCAA Division III level, including recruiting, coaching, student-athlete development, program administration, and compliance with university and NCAA policies. In addition to serving as Head Softball Coach, this position will serve as the Athletics Department Retention Coordinator, leading and coordinating student-athlete retention initiatives in collaboration with campus partners. Responsibilities include serving as a liaison between Athletics and Student Support Services, supporting academic success initiatives, coordinating retention efforts, and advising the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). The position will contribute to creating and maintaining an environment of equity, inclusion, academic success, and student-athlete development within the Athletics Department. The position will also assist with departmental operations, including game management responsibilities and other duties as assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Head Softball Coaching Responsibilities: The Head Women’s Softball Coach is responsible for the
overall management, development, and success of the softball program, including but not limited to:
? Recruit, retain, and develop student-athletes while maintaining a competitive roster capable of
meeting NCAA minimum contest requirements.
? Develop and implement a comprehensive recruiting plan for identifying, evaluating, contacting,
and communicating with prospective high school and transfer student-athletes.
? Conduct campus visits and assist prospective student-athletes throughout the recruitment
process in collaboration with Admissions.
? Establish and maintain positive relationships with local schools, community organizations,
alumni, media, and other external partners to increase program and university visibility.
? Plan and conduct daily practices, competitions, preseason preparation, and postseason
activities.

? Utilize current coaching theories, techniques, and training methods to develop
student-athletes’ athletic abilities and maximize individual and team performance.
? Teach softball skills, strategies, game tactics, and position-specific techniques while providing
effective instruction and feedback.
? Make sound coaching decisions during competitions.
? Develop annual practice plans, game plans, strength and conditioning programs, and
competitive schedules within established budget parameters.
? Motivate, mentor, discipline, and lead student-athletes while promoting teamwork,
sportsmanship, accountability, and personal growth.
? Maintain a positive, professional, and disciplined team environment both on and off the field.
? Build positive relationships with student-athletes, coaches, officials, conference personnel,
alumni, parents, and other stakeholders.
? Monitor student-athlete academic progress, eligibility requirements, and overall well-being.
? Maintain and distribute statistics, records, and program information as required.
? Work toward team goals, including continued improvement, competitive success, conference
achievement, postseason opportunities, and overall program development.

Athletics Retention Coordinator Responsibilities: The Athletics Retention Coordinator will lead and
support initiatives designed to improve student-athlete persistence, academic success, and
engagement, including:
? Serve as the Athletics Department liaison to Student Support Services, Academic Advising, and
other campus resources to support student-athlete retention.
? Coordinate retention efforts and serve on university retention committees.
? Participate in the early alert process by helping identify student-athletes requiring academic
intervention and additional support.
? Collaborate with campus partners to document academic interventions, meetings, and student
support efforts.
? Assist student-athletes in developing academic success plans through communication with
faculty and access to university resources.
? Support communication between student-athletes, coaches, and university offices, including
Financial Aid, Advising, Housing, and other departments.
? Serve as the advisor for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
? Serve on the University CARE Team.
? Promote an academic-priority approach to student-athlete development.
Departmental and Administrative Responsibilities
? Assist with athletics operations, including game management responsibilities for assigned fall
and winter athletic events.
? Assist with softball facility preparation, field maintenance coordination, and home
game/practice setup as needed.
? Manage program-related administrative responsibilities, including:
? Budget management and expense reporting.
? Travel planning and documentation.
? Equipment purchasing and inventory.
? Scheduling and meeting attendance.
? Timely completion of required paperwork and compliance documentation.
? Conduct team fundraising activities as appropriate.

? Attend department meetings, sport-related meetings, professional development opportunities,
clinics, conferences, and workshops.
? Coordinates with Student Support Services, Academic Advising, Admissions, Facilities, Athletics
staff, faculty, local schools, community organizations, alumni, and other university departments
and external partners.
? Participate in departmental committees and university initiatives as assigned.
? Coordinate community service opportunities for student-athletes.
? Maintain knowledge of and comply with the UMPI Staff Handbook, NCAA Division III
regulations, conference requirements, and university policies.
? Complete required onboarding, training, and compliance requirements within established
timelines.
? Perform other duties as assigned based on university and departmental needs.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervises softball assistant coaches and, when applicable, student
employees and work-study students.
Professional Expectations: The Head Women’s Softball Coach / Retention Coordinator is expected to
demonstrate commitment to:
? Professional and personal excellence.
? Fairness, honesty, integrity, and ethical decision-making.
? Diversity, inclusion, and gender equity.
? Positive representation of the university and Athletics Department.
? Academic success and holistic development of student-athletes.
? Safety and well-being of all participants.
? Planning and preparation that promotes sportsmanship, motivation, teamwork, positive
experiences, and effective instruction.

Required Qualifications
? Bachelor’s degree.
? Previous softball coaching experience.
? Ability to recruit, retain, and develop a competitive softball roster.
? Strong knowledge and understanding of softball.
? Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with
diverse populations.
? Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to document retention
efforts.
? Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as required.
? Commitment to equity, inclusion, and student-athlete success.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
? Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
? Knowledge of athletic recruitment methods and techniques.
? Knowledge of NCAA Division III rules, regulations, and compliance expectations.
? Ability to foster a cooperative and inclusive work environment.
? Ability to interpret, follow, and enforce safety procedures.
? Ability to lead, mentor, and develop student-athletes.
? Ability to make sound administrative and procedural decisions.
? Ability to work effectively with a wide range of university and community constituencies.

Preferred Qualifications
? Experience working with student-athletes in an academic support or retention setting.
? Previous NCAA head coaching experience.
? Collegiate softball playing experience.
? Familiarity with NCAA Division III standards, rules, and regulations.

Working Conditions: Must be able to travel for extended periods of time for athletic contests and
related activities.

Work Schedule: Schedule varies and includes evenings, weekends, holidays, and occasional extended hours based on athletic schedules and departmental needs.

Evaluation Schedule: Performance will be evaluated at six months and annually thereafter based on the employee’s start date.

About University of Maine at Presque Isle

For more than a century, the University of Maine at Presque Isle has been helping students find their path to great professional careers providing its 1,300 traditional and non-traditional students from all areas of the state, country, and world with life-changing opportunities in a caring, small-university environment. Further information about the University of Maine at Presque Isle can be found at https://www.umpi.edu/ For information about the University of Maine System’s COVID-19 response and guidelines for employees, please visit https://www.maine.edu/together/. The university sits on 150 acres surrounded by the rolling hills and potato fields of northern Maine and the university strives to be the region’s premier learning institution while helping to stimulate cultural and economic development in Aroostook County and the State of Maine. The university serves as an educational and cultural center for the area and its facilities are utilized for lectures, programs, concerts, dance performances, exhibits, and plays that benefit the entire region. Learn more about what Aroostook County has to offer here.

Connections working at University of Maine at Presque Isle