| Employment Opportunities with U.K. Elite Soccer |
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| Frequently Asked Question's |
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Thank you for your interest in employment with U.K. Elite Soccer. With over 15 years of experience of providing the very best in Soccer Education for young players we truly believe there is no better company to work for in the US. If you are highly motivated, prepared to work hard to provide a great experience for our players and are committed to improving yourself as a coach then U.K. Elite Soccer will be a great fit for you.
Before committing to a position in another country we appreciate that you probably have questions about the application process and what you can expect if you are hired.
At all our interview sites we make a comprehensive presentation covering many aspects of U.K. Elite Soccer specifically and working in the US in general. We will also present each candidate with a job description and sample contract for the position applied for, including pay rates.
In the meantime we have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions to cover some of the most common questions. Simply scroll through the questions below or click the link for your specific question:
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1. What Coaching Qualifications do I need to work for U.K Elite Soccer?
2. What types of contracts are available with U.K. Elite?
3. What exactly will my job entail?
4. What overall "Employment Package" do I receive from U.K. Elite?
5. How will I be paid while in the US?
6. Are there any opportunities to earn bonus income?
7. Do I get any vacation time?
8. Will I get the opportunity to play?
9. Will I get the opportunity to take any coaching courses?
10. Do I need a driving license to work for U.K. Elite Soccer?
11. Can I apply to U.K. Elite Soccer if I have a criminal record?
12. What countries do U.K. Elite accept applicants from?
13. Can I bring my wife and/or family to the US?
14. Where in the US will I be located?
15. How can my family contact me while in the US
16. Is there an opportunity to travel after my contract finishes?
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| 1. What Coaching Qualifications do I need to work for U.K Elite Soccer? |
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We prefer all of our coaches to have at least a basic coaching qualification from their respective football or soccer association (FA, SFA, FAI, UEFA, NSCAA, USSF etc.) However we do occasionally hire staff that may have no formal coaching qualifications but an extensive playing or coaching background.
We hire coaches with a variety of qualifications due to the varied nature of the children we coach and their level of play. Higher levels of qualifications certainly help your application but we also need coaches with basic qualifications to work with our younger children and beginners.
Regardless of qualifications, the best indication we have of how suitable any candidate would be for one of our positions is how they come across at interview, both in their short coaching session and also during their spoken interview.
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| 2. What types of contracts are available with U.K. Elite? |
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Seasonal (March-November)
This type of contract is ideal for recent graduates; teachers looking for a working sabbatical; & people simply looking for a possible career change. Improve your coaching ability over nine months doing something you love. Many coaches return for a second or third nine month contract. We guarantee we will develop you as a coach through our orientations, ongoing professional development program and extensive practical interaction with both players and teams. Full time opportunities are available based on performance during seasonal contract periods.
Summer (July-August)
This is a great opportunity for students to spend a summer working in the sport you love. Gain fantastic experience and develop your coaching skills through our extensive orientation and professional development program. Use this as a perfect springboard into a longer term position with U.K. Elite Soccer.
It is also ideal for coaches already in full time employment (coaching or otherwise) who are looking to enhance their coaching resume by coaching in another environment and without giving up the security of their current job.
Extended Summer (July-November)
This may be the perfect graduate opportunity - join us for the summer and autumn. Enjoy the summer camp experience plus the variety of a fall / autumn season with youth teams and individuals. We guarantee we will develop you as a coach through our orientations, ongoing professional development program and extensive practical interaction with both players and coaches. Full time opportunities are available based on performance over our seasonal contract periods.
It is also suitable for someone on an extended break from their job, or who see this as a possible change of career, without committing to a longer seasonal contract.
Full Time
We currently have 20 full time staff that began their careers with U.K. Elite as Summer or Seasonal coaches. Due to immigration processes and simply the commitment to re-locating to another country on a more permanent basis we require that all staff complete at least one seasonal contract before being considered for a full time position. Competition for full time positions is high, but working full time for U.K. Elite can undoubtedly become a career for highly motivated individuals with the right background and qualifications.
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| 3. What exactly will my job entail? |
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At U.K. Elite Soccer our primary focus is the soccer education of children. We consistently provide the very best soccer education, from the very youngest beginners ages 3 and up, to experienced high school age players (ages 14-18).
All coaches are required to spend time working with the youngest of our players on daytime programs. On our other camps and programs we have the flexibility to try to match up our coaches experience levels and abilities with the needs of our players and teams. Again - we appreciate that our staff have varied backgrounds and experience and reflect that in the schedules that are given to them where feasible.
Spring and Autumn Seasons
A typical week might be two or three weekday daytime programs with our youngest players and then coaching two teams back to back in an evening session each night of the week. You would see these same teams on a given night of the week throughout the season.
At the weekend you might coach on a large recreation program (individual players / technical) on a Saturday and then get to watch one or two of your weeknight teams play on a Sunday.
Summer
The focus changes during the summer due to the fact that the children are out of school! Most of our camps run from Monday to Friday and over the course of a summer you will most likely work a day camp (9am - 12pm or 1pm) every week and an evening camp (5pm - 8.00pm) every other week.
Our best performing and most experienced coaches may spend a couple of weeks at our Residential Camps which run from Sunday to Thursday and involve staying as a resident at the camp to coach the players in morning, afternoon and evening sessions (as well as helping to generally supervise the players throughout the week).
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| 4. What overall "Employment Package" do I receive from U.K. Elite? |
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We make the transition to working in the USA as easy as possible for all our staff. We want you to concentrate on doing what you do best - coaching soccer! As well as a competitive salary all our compensation packages include the following:
Seasonal Staff
H2B visa fees paid (you are only responsible for Embassy processing fees)
Return trip flight to the US
Fully paid rented accommodation (shared) & utility bills
Fully paid transportation (shared) and gas (petrol)
All coaching equipment provided
All uniforms and footwear provided
Summer Staff
Return trip flight to the US
Fully paid accommodation (college dorms / home-stays)
Fully paid transportation (shared) and gas (petrol)
All coaching equipment provided
All uniforms and footwear provided
All seasonal and summer staff are responsible for taking out their own medical insurance within the timelines specified by U.K. Elite Soccer.
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| 5. How will I be paid while in the US? |
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U.K. Elite set up bank accounts for all our seasonal staff and wages are paid bi-weekly into those accounts via direct deposit. Summer staff however are only with us for a period of 9 weeks and are therefore paid bi-weekly via check.
Salaries are divided equally by the number of weeks of your contract, regardless of season or hours worked. Inclement weather or schedule cancellations do not affect your salary - which is guaranteed.
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| 6. Are there any opportunities to earn bonus income? |
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All our contracts are based on a "required" number of hours per season. Once you have met those hours any additional hours above and beyond are paid in the form of a bonus at an hourly rate at the end of that season (hourly rates vary depending on experience with U.K. Elite).
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| 7. Do I get any vacation time? |
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Seasonal Staff
Over the course of the 9 month contract you will be given two five day (Monday - Friday) vacation periods. Traditionally the first period is taken during the gap between the spring and summer season in mid-June. The second period is somewhat flexible but at our discretion is typically later in June or July.
Summer Staff
Due to the shorter nature of this type of contract there is no vacation period built in. Many coaches however opt to change the date of their return flight to enable them to travel at the end of their contract. This is at their discretion and can be liaised with the airline after arrival in the US.
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| 8. Will I get the opportunity to play? |
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Typically it is difficult to play due to your coaching commitments. You will be busy at the weekends coaching on recreation programs and working with your teams. If you do manage to find a team that does not affect your work commitments you must understand that you play at your own risk. If you get injured and are unable to fulfill your coaching commitments that may necessitate the termination of your contract. You also need to be extremely careful to make sure your insurance covers sporting activities (many do not unless you upgrade to a premium policy).
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| 9. Will I get the opportunity to take any coaching courses? |
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In addition to an extensive orientation period with U.K. Elite which will undoubtedly increase your coaching knowledge we incorporate official US Soccer Coaching courses into our orientation program.
All seasonal staff will receive an NSCAA Regional Diploma during the course of their orientation. Schedule and weather permitting we try to offer the Advanced Regional Diploma as well as other coaching courses such as goalkeeping courses and even a Brazilian "C" license throughout your time with U.K. Elite.
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| 10. Do I need a driving license to work for U.K. Elite Soccer? |
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Applicants with a current, clean driving license who are over the age of 21 possess an advantage over other candidates. Applicants that are under 21 and posses a driving license are still considered, non drivers by U.K. Elite as our insurance policy does not cover drivers under 21.
Obviously to fulfill our coaching commitments we need coaches who are able to drive to our sites. However, we are able to accommodate a limited number of non-drivers each year so this should not discourage you from applying.
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| 11. Can I apply to U.K. Elite Soccer if I have a criminal record? |
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Obviously as a company that works with children we have to be extremely thorough in our screening of all candidates. Also, since the terrorist attacks of September 11 there have been significant changes in the screening process when applying for a US visa. All candidates are required to obtain a criminal background check (Subject Access Check) with their local police, prior to their interview at the US Embassy.
If you have any sort of record it will be revealed at some point in the process so honesty is the best policy on your application. We appreciate that “criminal record” is open to much interpretation from serious offences to minor misdemeanors. Even if you are accepted by U.K. Elite we cannot guarantee that you will be approved by US Homeland Security for a visa. The visa application process is completely beyond the control of U.K. Elite.
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| 12. What countries do U.K. Elite accept applicants from? |
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The majority of our coaching staff are residents of either the UK or USA. While we are open to hiring coaches from other countries the more challenging issue is the ability to attend an interview. Apart from exceptional circumstances all candidates are required to interview in either the US or UK so as an applicant from another country you must be prepared to travel to interview at your own expense.
U.K. Elite may also be prevented in certain circumstances from hiring an overseas candidate subject to visa restrictions as all potential coaches need to attend a US Consulate interview in their country of residence.
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| 13. Can I bring my wife and/or family to the US? |
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Unfortunately due to visa restrictions it is not feasible for our coaches to bring family with them while they work for U.K. Elite Soccer. The type of visas we secure for our seasonal (H2B) and summer (J1) staff do not come with any spousal or family privileges
Also our seasonal coaches are housed in shared accommodation with shared transportation so we cannot accommodate family members from a logistical standpoint.
In our experience the only contract that works for married applicants is a summer contract whereby it may be possible for a married applicant to travel alone for a shorter (9 week) period).
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| 14. Where in the US will I be located? |
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Currently the majority of our coaching is in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. You will most likely be located in one of these states.
Seasonal staff are accommodated in rented houses and tend to stay in their location for the majority of their 9 month stay. Summer staff are more transient in nature and are typically accommodated in a combination of college dorms, motels and family home-stays.
Note: American staff from outside of the east coast area must be prepared to make their own travel arrangements if offered a position.
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| 15. How can my family contact me while in the US |
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Seasonal staff have rented accommodation with a US address that they can give to friends and family shortly after arrival. All rented houses also have telephones to receive incoming international calls. Outgoing international calls must be made using an international calling card from the home phone.
Summer staff can use the U.K. Elite head office address and our administrative staff will make every effort to forward communications to you at your location.
For all staff by far the best form of communication with your family and with UKE staff and management is via email so you need to be sure you have a current email address which you check frequently.
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| 16. Is there an opportunity to travel after my contract finishes? |
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The opportunity to travel varies according to the visa that you are granted as follows:
Seasonal Staff (H2B Visa)
An H2B is a seasonal need visa and is granted on the premise that U.K. Elite need you for a specific season. The upside is that this facilitates a longer contract in the US. The downside is that you are only granted the visa to correspond with the seasonal need and therefore need to leave once the work is over. Typically there is only a couple of days built in at the end of the season before you must leave the country. You do have the opportunity to travel however during your two vacation periods (see earlier).
Summer Staff (J1 Visa)
A J1 visa is a different type of visa with different restrictions. Typically the visas that are granted to our coaches are valid for work purposes through the end of September and then have a 30 day grace period built in specifically to allow travel.
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