Spokane Nordic Ski Association Overview
The Spokane Nordic Ski Association (SNSA) is a community nordic program and race team based at Mt. Spokane, Washington which involves children, families and teenage racers part of the USSA Pacific Northwest Ski Association. With up to 20 young skiers participating per season, the SNSA Transition Team, or T-Team, is focused on guiding young skiers in the 8 -13 year old range during the transition from SNSA’s robust Nordic Kids program to the older, competition-focused Race Team. The T-Team provides a creative combination of fun recreational outings with an introduction to racing and training principles aimed toward building a lifelong love and participation in the sport, whether participants choose to continue toward competitive racing or not. This program helps young skiers experience the joy of nordic skiing while building the knowledge and foundation that will allow participation in long-term racing and training opportunities. Through this program, SNSA fosters appreciation and enjoyment of nordic skiing in a supportive community while providing the tools, knowledge and experience for competitive success.
Position Summary
SNSA seeks an enthusiastic, creative, knowledgeable, and fun-loving individual as a part-time winter Transition Team coordinator, leading the “T-Team” on-ski sessions on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the winter, apart from selected holidays and race weekend breaks. The coordinator will be responsible for scheduling ski sessions, coaching these sessions, coordinating with a T-Team assistant and parent volunteer to staff all sessions, and communicating with skiers and parents in between weekend sessions by providing written and photo updates. Anticipated average of 8-10 hours per week.
Essential Duties
- Contribute to a positive environment to foster a lifelong love for the sport of Nordic skiing
- Foster an inclusive and cohesive team dynamic among skiers, parents and coordinators
- Be an active learner, communicate well and motivate youth skiers
Team Organization & Management & Communications
- Report to the SNSA Board of Directors at monthly board meetings.
- Participate in budgeting process with Board, provide timely and accurate accounting of team-related expenses, and adhere to approved budget.
- Responsible for internal and external marketing communications (to the press, website, team blog) in conjunction with SNSA board, assistant and parent volunteer.
- Responsible for providing website updates, maintaining team ski calendar
- Generate timely and clear communications with skiers and parents, including weekly emails regarding session location, schedule, and focus
- Help skiers set goals, review progress towards goals throughout the season and provide written feedback/report to parents
- Responsible for maintaining T-Team equipment
- Assist in recruiting new T-Team members through outreach to the Nordic Kids program and families.
Racing/Training
- Responsible for 8-13 year-old athletes, working with Race Team coach to coordinate sessions and define appropriate session goals.
- Attend and coach at a minimum of 2 JNQ races, including Spokane Nordic Cup JNQ and an additional travel JNQ in the Pacific Northwest region, travel expenses reimbursed. Assist T-Team skiers with equipment and wax preparation, start schedule and race preparation. Additional local races may be included at the coordinator’s discretion.
- Communicate with skiers and their parents, including weekly emails regarding training location, schedule and priorities for each age group
- Guide skiers with a technique focus, using knowledge of classic and skate techniques with the ability to communicate technique
- Conduct all winter on-ski sessions.
- Conducted selected fall roller-ski, running or hiking events and team-building events at the coordinator’s discretion
Tentative team training schedule
- Winter – on snow, Dec. – Apr.
Minimum Qualifications
- Competitive race experience preferred, with knowledge of skate and classic techniques
- Complete USSA SafeSport training prior to first T-Team session
- 1 or more years of teaching or coaching experience preferred
- Driver’s license
- CPR/First Aid
- Position: December through mid-March
- Compensation DOE
Contact info@spokanenordic.org for more information.
