Position: Assistant Head Nordic Ski Coach
Employer: Black Jack Cross Country Ski Club
Location: Rossland, British Columbia, Canada
Reports To: Head Coach & Director of Skier Development Program
FTE: Negotiable
Start Date: Flexible
Compensation: $40,000–$50,000 inclusive of benefits, commensurate with qualifications, and adjusted for agreed-upon FTE
Term: One-year contract from start date, potentially leading to a permanent position
Application Deadline: Open until filled
About the Position
Black Jack Cross Country Ski Club (BJSC) is looking to welcome a motivated and energetic individual to fill the position of Assistant Head Nordic Ski Coach. In collaboration with the Head Coach and other team members, the position will lead and/or oversee programming for all levels of the program as aligned with Nordiq Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development model.
About Black Jack Cross Country Ski Club
BJSC is a registered non-profit organization functioning to support and grow the sport of Nordic skiing since 1983. With a history of producing skiers at the international and national levels, the club is looking to promote cross-country skiing at all levels of the sport.
BJSC offers athlete development programs for ages 3 to adult, including:
- Bunnies
- Jack Rabbits
- Track Attack
- School Outreach
- Community lessons
- Private and group lessons
- Race Team
Programming is delivered under the leadership of the Director of Skier Development, the BJSC Board, and a part-time Head Coach. BJSC has a dedicated and skilled set of volunteer coaches who are committed to delivering high-quality, fun programming. The BJSC Board is an avid and responsive supporter of the Skier Development program and actively collaborates on initiatives to enhance the sport of Nordic skiing for all members of the community. The Head Coach is committed to mentoring as needed.
Facilities and Community
BJSC has over 50 km of groomed trails for both skate and classic, including 2.5 km of daily lit night skiing. The main trailhead is five minutes from town and has professional groomers on staff supported by a robust group of volunteers to keep trails in great shape. Two connected ski areas extend the ski season from November to April. In 2025–26, club membership was over 1,000 strong, and the club successfully built a new day lodge. A dedicated GM supports club operations from September through April.
Black Jack Ski Club and Rossland offer an ideal location to live and train both summer and winter, with backyard access to roller-skiing, running, hiking, road and mountain biking, climbing, alpine and backcountry skiing. Rossland has an outdoor summer pool, tennis courts, a bike park, multiple fields, and a local gym. Trail, a 15-minute drive away, has indoor training facilities. An active, young community, Rossland is a desirable destination for both vacationers and those seeking to be locals.
Qualifications
Education
- Minimum post-secondary education, including coaching, athlete development, and leadership
Occupational Certification
- Canada National Coaching Certification Program: minimum Training to Train (T2T) or international equivalent as related to Nordic skiing
- Valid Standard First Aid (minimum), Wilderness First Aid (preferred)
- Class 4 driving license, or ability to obtain within 3 months, and access to a reliable personal vehicle
- Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screen
Experience
- Previous coaching experience
- Athlete training plan design and monitoring, including Training Peaks
- Managing and leading a team of volunteer coaches (beginner through experienced)
- Wax and race support operations
- Planning and executing training camps
- Administration
Personal Suitability
- Demonstrates good decision-making skills
- Enjoys collaborating with others, including volunteers, parent groups, and other coaches
- Personable, enjoys connecting with people
- Able to initiate and complete projects
- Communicates effectively and proactively, including when resolving sticky situations
- Considers conflict an opportunity for growth and focuses on win-win resolutions
- Takes responsibility for self
- Strives for excellence
- High degree of fitness, with ability to demonstrate and give feedback on skate and classic ski techniques
- Commits to professional development, including ongoing coaching training and connection with provincial and national programs
Responsibilities
Reporting to the Head Coach & Director of Skier Development, the successful applicant will support the club’s Racers, Junior Racer, and Track Attack programs. They will work in collaboration with volunteer coaches for the Bunnies and Jack Rabbits programs and the School Outreach program. Adult clinics, lessons, and programs will be coordinated with the GM.
Specific responsibilities include:
- Support BJSC’s Head Coach with Racer program delivery, including session facilitation
- Collaborate on the delivery of year-round athlete programming for Junior Racers and Track Attack that aligns with Nordiq Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development Model, including working with volunteer coaching staff to ensure appropriate dryland and on-snow programming
- Provide technical feedback to athletes to ensure physical competency of all cross-country ski techniques as appropriate for the athlete’s development
- Support volunteer coaches’ ongoing development
- Facilitate mentorship opportunities between athletes at various stages of development
- Uphold a safe, inclusive, and positive training environment, with Safe Sport practices, BJSC policies, appropriate supervision standards, and risk management
- Support the organization of camps, races, and other events
- Attend races as negotiated with the Head Coach, providing leadership, coaching support, wax selection, logistics, direction to parent and coach volunteers, and other tasks as needed
- Maintain familiarity with BJSC Board activities, contribute to ongoing improvement of club operations, and assist in planning and execution of club events as necessary
- Collaborate with the Bunnies and Jack Rabbits Program Coaches as directed by the Director of Skier Development
- Collaborate effectively with the BJSC Skier Development Director
- Collaborate with the BJSC Race Hosting Committee
- Attend monthly Skier Development Program (SDP) Committee meetings
- Other duties as directed by the Director of Skier Development
The position will require travel as well as working in the evenings and on weekends.
How to Apply
Submit the following to sdp@skiblackjack.ca:
- Resume with two references
- Cover letter outlining how you meet the Education and Experience criteria listed in the Statement of Qualifications, with concrete examples (2,000 words maximum)
The position will remain open until filled. All applicants are thanked in advance; only those considered for an interview will be contacted.
For more information about the club, visit www.skiblackjack.ca.
