Men's Basketball Graduate Assistant

About the Job

The Men's Basketball Graduate Assistant (GA) at Colorado Christian University (CCU) is responsible for assisting the Head Coach in all areas necessary to ensure the spiritual, academic, and athletic success of the program. The GA must understand the dynamics of a small university setting and be a committed member of the CCU Department of Athletics as well as the program.

About CCU

Colorado Christian University is the premier interdenominational Christian university in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, delivering world class education to thousands of students. The fully accredited, nonprofit University is located in Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver.

Colorado Christian University was founded in 1914. CCU’s motto is--grace and truth. This motto comes from John 1.14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (ESV)

CCU's mission is Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth.

Colorado Christian University cultivates knowledge and love of God in a Christ-centered community of learners and scholars, with an enduring commitment to the integration of exemplary academics, spiritual formation, and engagement with the world. We envision graduates who think critically and creatively, lead with high ethical and professional standards, embody the character and compassion of Jesus Christ, treasure the gospel, and who thereby are prepared to impact the world in their callings.

CCU embraces an educational model that was present at the foundation of many of the great western and American universities. It is made up of three pillars—competence, character and Christ-centered faith. Secular universities have abandoned two of those pillars. We think this is a major oversight that eventually undermines education. Furthermore, we believe this classical educational model is both life-giving and greatly needed in our time.

A leader in higher education, CCU has been consistently ranked in the top 2 percent of colleges and universities nationwide for its core curriculum by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. CCU has had ten consecutive years of enrollment growth and has been named one of the five fastest-growing master’s granting universities by The Chronicle of Higher Education.

CCU offers more than 100 degree program options for traditional and adult students through its two colleges--the College of Undergraduate Studies and College of Adult and Graduate Studies. More than 8,000 students attend the University on the main campus, in regional centers throughout Colorado, and online.

What is most appealing about working at CCU?

1. Faith friendly: CCU’s culture is unique to higher education. Where else can you pursue academic excellence yet read the Holy Bible, pray with teammates and students at work, and work to impact our culture in support of Christian values?
2. Convictionally Christian: As a university, we have an enduring commitment to Christ, his kingdom and the truth of God’s Word.
3. Live out your calling: We are a traditional evangelical university where you can invest your God-given talents and abilities alongside coworkers and teammates, while having a profound influence on students as they deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.
4. Equip students for kingdom work: You can be a part of helping students discover their callings and preparing them for positions of significant leadership in the church, business, government, education, and other professions, as a key part of our University's Strategic Priorities.

We’re looking for candidates who have:

1. Bachelor’s degree required with acceptance into a CCU graduate program.
2. Knowledge of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules and regulations and ability to pass NCAA coaching test.
3. Two to four years of collegiate-level coach/player experience at the NCAA level preferred.
4. Ability to integrate Christian faith into coaching.
5. Desire to disciple/mentor student-athletes in their Christian faith through the platform of softball. Experience with integrating discipleship and evangelism into a basketball program desired.
6. Willingness to minister to those outside the team with the gospel through the platform of softball.
7. Knowledge of basketball and ability to communicate that knowledge effectively to student-athletes.
8. Excellent communication skills and ability to interact appropriately with college student-athletes.
9. Experience in a similar private Christian institution desirable.
10. Ability to drive 15 passenger vans.

Key Job Duties

1. Contribute to CCU’s mission: Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth. In this role, the Women's Basketball Graduate Assistant contributes to the mission by being a supporting member of a Christ-centered athletic team that is committed to extending grace and truth to CCU students as they are transformed through their athletic, educational, and spiritual pursuits.
2. Provide assistance to the coaching staff in all functional areas of the program including:
   1. Christian mentoring/discipleship of basketball athletes
   2. Practices
   3. Home and away contests
   4. Other aspects of the program as determined by the Head Coach (e.g. recruiting, fundraising, travel, etc....)
3. Assist the Director of Athletics with any additional responsibilities as assigned.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, you may be required to walk, stand, sit, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, speak with clarity, and have appropriate vision and hearing capabilities. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. You will be required to work irregular hours, including nights and weekends. Local and regional travel is expected. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.

Graduate Assistant Program Details

The Graduate Assistant position is a minimum of a two year commitment and coincides with the entrance into and completion of a graduate program at CCU. Students may take 2-3 years to complete their academic program, depending on the program selected. Graduate Assistants are expected to complete a minimum of two years of service, and to stay in their role through the end of the fiscal year (June 30) in which they complete their graduate program.

The Graduate Assistant must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university and be accepted and enrolled in one of CCU’s graduate programs. A complete listing of degree opportunities and admissions requirements is posted at http://www.ccu.edu/ccu/grad/. The standard workweek is 25 hours per week and will not exceed an average of 29 hours per week during the year.

Compensation includes a monthly stipend of $583 and tuition waiver for completion of a master's degree through Colorado Christian University's College of Adult and Graduate Studies. The recipient is responsible for student fees each semester. Any selected graduate assistant is required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have results sent to CCU for review.