![NSCF-FXC Racing](http://fasterskier.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2013/06/nscf-fxc-racing-horizontal.jpeg")
Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks’ Fairbanks Cross Country (NSCF-FXC) junior racing program is searching for an assistant coach to work as part of a team of professional and volunteer coaches in helping guide its young athletes as they pursue their goals and dreams in Cross Country skiing.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a junior program that has been steadily growing and improving since its inception in 2006; the program currently engages 75+ athletes on an annual basis and has become one of the top junior programs in the country – ranking 4th for boys and 6th overall in the 2013 JN club trophy.
The NSCF-FXC program is part of an integrated development path which begins with the club’s highly successful Junior Nordics program which instructs over 200 young skiers ages 5-13 each winter. Athletes in the FXC program are split among three tiers: the Jr. Devo Team for late elementary skiers, the Prep Team for middle schoolers and the Comp Team for high school and post-graduate athletes.
We are fortunate to have great opportunities as ski racers in interior Alaska, due in large part to a strong and exceptionally supportive local ski community. Our home trail system at Birch Hill Recreation Area – one of two primary groomed ski trail networks in Fairbanks (and one of several in the Fairbanks area) – includes over 40 km of trails, 11 km of lighted trails, a full array of FIS homologated race loops, a terrain garden for ski play, and a 10,000+ square foot ski center with various outbuildings. The club provides grooming throughout the 6- to 7-month ski season, and our nationally recognized competition crew organizes a full slate of races ranging from youth events, to marathons, JN qualifiers, National Championships and FIS races. The long days of summer offer great dryland training opportunities particularly for activities on trails, and ready access to some of the most expansive wilderness in North America.
During the course of the year, the assistant coach works with all three levels of the racing program, while focusing on the Comp Team and either the Prep or Jr. Devo Team during the busy winter season. Primarily this work involves helping to run motivational, high-quality, age-appropriate training sessions for each of these levels, but can also include various other aspects of running a successful year-round ski-training program. The assistant is expected to coach at summer and winter training camps, travel to and support athletes at major races in Alaska plus other races as needed throughout the country, and help with various other aspects of operating the program. The total hourly commitment varies during the year, but is often around 20-30 hours per week split between about 15 to 25 hours of coaching and 5-10 hours for additional tasks.
The ideal candidate would have raced at the collegiate level or higher, be enthusiastic about and have experience working with or coaching youth, possess excellent communication and organization skills, and be able to complete miscellaneous projects in a timely manner with minimal oversight. The assistant coach must be able to pass a background check and possess a valid driver’s license. If not already certified, it would be expected that the candidate completes the USSA Level 100 certification by the end of 2013 (with educational costs covered by the club).
The job is part-time, year-round, with a salary of $17,000-$22,000 annually and a moving stipend upon arrival in Fairbanks. The schedule allows for potential additional employment within the local ski community (coaching, lessons, grooming, etc.) and the Fairbanks community at large. The University of Alaska offers a wide variety of college and graduate level courses at its Fairbanks campus for those wishing to further their education.
For a broader sense of the NSCF as a whole, please consult our website: www.nscfairbanks.org, or visit our off-and-on blog nscffxc.blogspot.com, or our Facebook page for a better picture of our program. For questions or to submit an application, contact NSCF-FXC Head Coach and Director of Skier Development Pete Leonard at pete@peterleonard.net or (907) 978-6325. Applications should be submitted to the aforementioned email address and should include a cover letter, resume and three references. Initial review of applications will begin by July 8, and the position will remain open until filled. Applicants should expect to be on the ground in Fairbanks by September 1.
