The Utah Nordic Alliance is based in Salt Lake City and is a member of the Intermountain Division.
Our mission is to create the process and the pathway that challenges each skier to grow to their fullest potential, both in competitive Nordic skiing and the lifelong love of outdoor sport.
Our vision:
- There is a place in the program for everyone
- Entry for skiers, youth, parent, and adults can happen at any age
- Skiers must be engaged and challenged at a level appropriate for their skill and interest level with interconnected programming for youth, adults, and families
- We promote ethics, equality, and SafeSport
- We coach the person
- Provide vision and opportunity
- Athletes should be challenged to grow outside the sport
- Athletes shall mentor and be mentored as part of something bigger than themselves
Position Summary
The head coach/program director oversees a comprehensive junior program of approximately 250 athletes with opportunities for children from four to 18+ and adults.
Program Director Responsibilities
Oversees the Learn-to-ski program (ages 4-8, about 40 skiers with parents on-snow) is staffed with volunteers and a coordinator for the Sundays in January. Provide and update packaged lessons to be followed by parent volunteers on-snow.
Ensures that the Devo program (ages 6-12, about 130 skiers) is staffed with a committee of volunteers who in turn oversee: staffing with per-diem and volunteer coaches, distributing, maintaining, and collecting the rental fleet, coordinating learning groups, administering a curriculum that is in line with the USSA Long-Term Athlete Development Plan for the age group.
Coordinates closely with the Junior Comp coaches (ages 11-13, racing in U12 and U14, about 30 skiers) to help athletes follow the appropriate LTAD program to eventually transition to the Comp team, staffs this program with competent per-diem coaches, advises on curriculum.
Staffs and oversees the XC program (ages 12-19, about 35 skiers) to offer a recreation option for skiers exiting Devo who are using XC skiing as a lifetime sport and to stay in shape for other sports.
Works with the adult programs coordinator to offer ski programs for adults in the community who want to learn to ski, or who would like to learn to train and race.
Head Comp Coach Responsibilities
- The Head Coach is responsible for the physical, emotional, and social development of the U16-U20 athletes. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Create a positive team culture with athletes and parents that is inclusive regardless of ability, and fosters a growth mindset
- Develop year-round training plans for athletes that include meeting with families to set goals and monitor progress throughout the year
- Facilitate additional outside strength training
- Excellent communication with parents and athletes while following SafeSport rules
- Write manageable budgets for LTS, XC, Junior Comp and Comp Program (Devo writes their own)
- Hold practices 4-5 days per week throughout the summer, fall, and winter racing season (May 1 – Mid-March)
- Attend all IMD races including the Junior National Qualifiers as head coach
- Coordinate travel, hotels, parent volunteers for race weekends ensuring SafeSport is followed at all times
- Hire and mentor per-diem assistant coaches as necessary
- Invoicing all families for race weekends and reporting to Treasurer
- Report monthly to the Board of Directors
- Responsible for maintaining the vehicle fleet of three vans including winter tires, regular maintenance, timely repairs, registration and inspections
- Coordinate Team Nights and ordering opportunities to obtain appropriate ski equipment for athletes
- Wax or supervise waxing for IMD races (per IMD rules)
- Maintain the wax equipment and order materials as needed
- Attend all IMD meetings
- Assist with fundraising
- Manage parent volunteers and volunteer refunds for those who meet the criteria
- Regular social media posts and written updates for the club newsletter
Minimum Qualifications
- Competitive race experience
- 3+ years of coaching experience
- At least 25 years old with a clean driving record and driver’s license
- Ability to work in the US (citizen or holding a current green card, visa or work permit)
- Ability to demonstrate and communicate modern skate and classic technique
- Stamina enough to support training sessions, haul equipment at races, work long hours in cold and snowy conditions
- Kick and glide wax skills for performance racing, ability to test skis
- Minimum L100 coaching certification that is current (required in 2025 to be at JNQs)
- A place to store all wax materials (the storage unit is too hot to store wax)
- A place to wax skis (can be done at our storage unit)
This position will close July 20, 2025.
For enquiries, questions and to submit your resume and three references, please email
Attn Search Committee
Salary and benefits are subject to experience, certifications and qualifications.
