Description

Overview: The mission of Mt. Bethel Christian Academy is to provide a truly Christ-centered education for our children through an environment that develops and encourages academic excellence, spiritual growth, and a lifelong love and desire for learning. As such, the driving vision of MBCA is to graduate highly successful, servant leaders of tomorrow.

Description: Mt. Bethel Christian Academy is seeking a Robotics Coordinator who will lead our K-12 robotics program, serving as both a Head Coach for our FIRST LEGO League (FLL) teams and a Head Coach for our FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) teams. In keeping with the school’s mission to provide a truly Christ-centered education that develops academic excellence, spiritual growth, and a lifelong love of learning, this role exists to cultivate innovation, teamwork, leadership, perseverance, and servant-hearted character in students through competitive robotics teams across elementary, middle, and upper school. In addition to coaching individual teams, the robotics coordinator will also oversee all aspects of the K-12 robotics programs, including team preparation, competition readiness, and student development, ensuring alignment with the mission and values of Mt. Bethel Christian Academy.

Responsibilities (FIRST LEGO League Robotics Head Coach):

Team Leadership
Lead two teams of grades 5-7 throughout the robotics season which lasts from August through January. Practices are two days a week. Competitions are on multiple Saturdays in December and January.
Develop and implement age-appropriate practice plans that balance robot game preparation, innovation project work, core values, and overall team development.
Set team goals, milestones, and expectations for student participation and progress.
Foster a culture of enthusiasm, perseverance, teamwork, and gracious professionalism.

Student Development
Teach students the use of robotics platforms such as LEGO SPIKE Prime, Scratch Coding, or other approved systems.
Instruct students in foundational STEM concepts, including the engineering design process, critical thinking, testing, and iterative design and build.
Guide students in research, problem-solving, public speaking, and project presentation skills.
Encourage student ownership while providing age-appropriate coaching and support and promoting collaboration, leadership, resilience, and ethical decision-making.

Competition Management
Prepare students for all components of FLL competitions, including robot game performance, judging sessions, innovation project presentation, and core values.
Register teams, order supplies, and manage team participation through FIRST and applicable regional or state organizations.
Ensure compliance with all FIRST rules, deadlines, team requirements, and event expectations.
Coordinate event logistics, communication, and supervision for competitions and related activities.

Communication & Collaboration
Communicate regularly with parents regarding schedules, expectations, updates, and competition information.
Collaborate with the STEM Department Chair, other robotics coaches, and school administration to support program goals.
Support school events, showcases, and opportunities that promote the robotics program.
Encourage students to compete and collaborate with gracious professionalism, respect, and Christlike character.

Responsibilities (FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Head Coach)

Team Leadership
Lead two FTC teams of grades 8-12 throughout the robotics season which lasts from August through March. Practices are 3-4 days per week, including Saturdays. Competitions are on multiple Saturdays in November through February.
Develop and maintain a strategic plan that includes deadlines, goals, technical milestones, and competition readiness benchmarks. Establish clear expectations for student participation, accountability, and leadership.
Foster a student-centered culture that values excellence, perseverance, teamwork, and ownership.
Support the development of team captains and other student leadership roles.
Encourage outreach, service, recruitment, and broader student engagement in robotics.
Manage robotics budgets in coordination with STEM Department Chair.

Order, organize, and maintain robotics kits, parts, tools, field elements, laptops, batteries, and related supplies and equipment. Maintain accurate inventory records and ensure responsible stewardship of school-owned resources.
Coordinate storage, repair, replacement, and distribution of equipment across facilities and teams. Assist with facilities coordination, transportation planning, and event logistics as needed.

Student Development
Guide students in mechanical engineering, robotic design, machining, fabrication, assembly, testing, and iterative design, including additive manufacturing (3D printing) and subtractive manufacturing (CNC) as appropriate to team needs.
Coach students in electrical engineering, programming, debugging, autonomous routines, driver control systems, sensors, and other technical systems as appropriate to team needs.
Support students in engineering documentation, marketing & branding, portfolio development, design presentations, and interview preparation.
Help students develop competition strategy, scouting practices, match preparation, and in-event troubleshooting.
Encourage student-led critical thinking and problem-solving while maintaining appropriate oversight for safety and progress. Help students respond to challenges, setbacks, and successes with maturity and integrity.
Mentor students in collaboration, leadership, communication, professionalism, and servant leadership.

Competition Management
Register teams and manage participation through FIRST and applicable league, regional, and state organizations.
Ensure compliance with FTC rules, game manuals, judging requirements, deadlines, and event procedures.
Coordinate robot readiness, facilities, materials, parts, tools, and supporting equipment for practices and competitions.
Assist with logistics related to competition travel, supervision, and communication at competitions (5-6 Saturday competitions between November through February).

Responsibilities (K-12 Robotics Coordinator)

Program Leadership
Provide leadership for the development, organization, and sustainability of the school’s robotics program across divisions. Help plan for future program expansion as appropriate.
Support robotics competitions, showcases, demonstrations, recruitment opportunities, camps, or community-facing STEM events. Promote visibility of the robotics program by helping share student achievements and program highlights.
Collaborate with school leadership to support the ongoing strength and reputation of the robotics program.
Encourage mentoring relationships, cross-grade support, and student leadership within the robotics pipeline.
Help create opportunities for students to grow from introductory robotics experiences into more advanced competition and leadership roles.
Establish annual goals, systems, and benchmarks for team success, student growth, and program effectiveness. Ensure that robotics programming aligns with the mission, values, and strategic priorities of Mt. Bethel Christian Academy.
Support head coaches with planning, scheduling, registration, compliance, and general program needs. Assist in recruiting, training, and onboarding assistant coaches, volunteers, and other program support personnel.
Manage robotics budgets in coordination with administration and the STEM Department Chair.