About this role
Job Description Position Summary Job Summary: The Scituate School Department is seeking a dependable, student-centered Human Guide/Guide Runner to support a Scituate High School student-athlete with a visual impairment in participating safely and meaningfully in the cross country program. The Guide Runner serves as a running partner who provides navigation, verbal cues, course awareness, and safety support while allowing the student-athlete to determine their own pace, effort, and running goals. The successful candidate will be physically capable of running or jogging the distances and pace necessary to remain with the student-athlete, communicate clearly while moving, anticipate course conditions, and work closely with the student-athlete, Head Coach, Athletic Director, and school staff. The Guide Runner will support practices and competitions in accordance with district policies, RIIL requirements, meet rules, and the individual needs of the student-athlete. Terms of Employment: This position is a one-year, at-will appointment. Continued assignment is contingent upon satisfactory performance, program needs, and annual approval by the appropriate school and district administrators. Responsibilities: • Attend and actively participate in scheduled cross country practices and competitions as assigned. • Run or jog alongside the student-athlete and provide consistent navigation and safety support. • Learn the athlete's preferred guiding method, communication cues, pace, and routines. • Provide clear, timely verbal cues regarding turns, terrain, obstacles, changes in surface, other runners, and finish-line location. • Train with the student-athlete when possible so that guiding communication and movement become familiar before competition. • Work collaboratively with the Head Coach and Athletic Director to plan safe practices, course familiarization, transportation, and meet logistics. • Follow all district policies, RIIL rules, meet-specific rules, and required safety procedures. • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and protect student confidentiality. • Encourage independence, confidence, sportsmanship, and full participation without taking over the athlete's role or decision-making. • Communicate concerns about safety, fatigue, injury, course conditions, or other barriers to the Head Coach and appropriate school personnel. • Maintain and properly use any approved guide equipment assigned for the position. • Attend required meetings, trainings, and professional development. • Perform other duties as assigned by administration consistent with the scope of the position.
Additional Responsibilities Responsibilities and Guide-Running Practices The Guide Runner is a support partner, not the athlete's replacement or decision-maker. Best practice is for the athlete and guide to establish the guiding method and communication system together and to practice that system before competition. Guide-running responsibilities include: • Use the athlete's preferred method of guidance, which may include a tether, elbow/arm guidance, or another agreed method consistent with applicable competition rules. • Use concise, predictable verbal cues and provide information early enough for the athlete to respond safely. • Maintain awareness of changing terrain, turns, roots, rocks, curbs, narrow areas, other runners, vehicles, and other course hazards. • Match the athlete's pace and cadence rather than pulling, pushing, or propelling the athlete. • Maintain the agreed guide position and avoid blocking or interfering with other competitors. • Follow event-specific requirements concerning guide identification, tether use, starting procedures, course positioning, and finishing order. • If a second guide is needed for a longer course, participate in any planned guide exchange only in accordance with meet rules and the coach's plan. • Carry or assist with water or other approved items only when appropriate and consistent with competition rules. • Report any change in the athlete's needs or any safety concern to the Head Coach promptly. Student-Centered Expectations • Treat the student-athlete with dignity, respect, and patience. • Ask the athlete how they prefer to be guided rather than assuming what support is needed. • Support the athlete's independence and avoid unnecessary physical assistance. • Use person-first or identity-first language according to the student's preference. • Maintain confidentiality regarding the student's disability, educational information, and personal information. • Promote an inclusive team environment in which the athlete is recognized as a full member of the cross country team. Additional Information (Qualifications, Required Skills and Competencies, and Physical Demands and Work Environment) Additional Information Qualifications, Required Skills and Competencies, and Physical Demands / Work Environment Required / Preferred Qualifications • Ability to safely run or jog with a high school student-athlete for the distances and duration required by the cross country program. • Ability to maintain the athlete's pace and remain attentive while running on varied terrain. • Strong verbal communication and listening skills. • Ability to learn and consistently use individualized guide-running cues and techniques. • Demonstrated reliability, sound judgment, patience, and professionalism. • Ability to work collaboratively with the student-athlete, coach, Athletic Director, families when appropriate, and school staff. • Experience with distance running, cross country, adaptive athletics, or students with visual impairments preferred. • Previous guide-running experience preferred but not required. Required Before the Start of the Assignment Successful candidates must complete all district-required employment clearances and any training or certifications required by Rhode Island law, the RIIL, or Scituate School Department policy prior to beginning the assignment. Depending on district and RIIL requirements for the position, this may include: • Current Rhode Island BCI, in accordance with district policy • CPR/AED and First Aid certification if required for the assignment • Required concussion, student-athlete safety, or other NFHS/RIIL training applicable to the role • Any required district training related to student supervision, disability inclusion, or emergency procedures Physical Demands and Work Environment • Ability to run or jog outdoors for the duration of practices and competitions. • Ability to navigate uneven, wooded, grassy, paved, and changing cross country terrain. • Ability to maintain attention and communicate clearly while physically active. • Ability to respond appropriately to changing environmental conditions and routine athletic safety concerns. • Work occurs primarily outdoors and may involve heat, cold, rain, mud, uneven surfaces, and varying course conditions. • Reasonable accommodations may be considered consistent with applicable law and district policy.