Momentum Northwest Seeks Head Coach

Momentum Northwest is seeking a Head Coach for our year-round Nordic program based in Seattle, Washington. Our ideal candidate will have the ability to coach athletes ages 12-18, assist with training of volunteer assistant coaches for our youth Mavericks program, and handle managerial and administrative functions with support from our dedicated volunteer base.

We wish to fill this open full-time, year-round position immediately, and are actively interviewing candidates.

PLEASE REPLY TO:

Coert Voorhees

(206) 331-0004

OUR MISSION:

TO CREATE A COMMUNITY SUPPORTED CROSS-COUNTRY SKI PROGRAM FOR SEATTLE AREA YOUTH

Momentum Northwest believes that what we teach to the youth of the Seattle area goes beyond simply learning to ski. Taking athletes into the out-of-doors and into the mountains in all seasons, we are introducing to them the ethics of individual accountability, lifelong health, and a balance of sport and nature, which few other pursuits can provide.

OUR CORE VALUES:

• Personal Growth: Cross-country skiing provides opportunities for young athletes to meet challenges and discover the methods to succeed with determination and skill.
• Leadership/Mentoring: Coaches are dedicated to helping young athletes take ownership of their choices in the sport of skiing and encourage high behavior standards.
• Team Building: Young skiers best grow in personal responsibility and self-worth in a supportive team environment based on mutual respect and shared experiences.
• Community Building: A supportive environment based on shared goals and challenges connects individuals, forges friendships, and provides opportunities for athletes, coaches, volunteers, and parents to grow cross-country skiing in the Seattle area.
• Commitment to Excellence: Goal setting, accountability, and training protocols work only when an athlete uses body, mind, and spirit to their individual best abilities.
• Fun: Friends, nature, training, learning, racing, hot chocolate and good wax; what’s not to like?

HEAD COACH JOB DESCRIPTION

Work Dates:     Year-round

Status:              Full-Time, Exempt

Reports To:       Momentum Northwest Board President

Description Summary

The Head Coach performs both coaching and administrative functions for the team.  The Head Coach sets goals for the entire team, develops coaching programs and coordinates volunteer coach training across the program to ensure proper skills development in the junior (Mavericks) program, and serves as Lead Coach for the competitive (Comp) group of skiers.  The Head Coach also actively works with members of the Board and parent volunteer committees and serves as the communications point person for the entire team at community, regional and national levels.

Ski-season practices are held primarily at the Cabin Creek ski trail system, adjacent to the Kongsberger Ski Club.  http://www.kongsbergers.org/ . During the early season, late season and in years with poor snow conditions, practices may be held at a number of other local ski trails or venues, including the trail system at the Summit at Snoqualmie.

Off-season “dry land” practices may be held at a variety of in-city locations in Seattle, Redmond and Mercer Island, as well as more outlying locations in King and Kittitas Counties.  Momentum utilizes numerous roads that have been identified by the team as safe and appropriate for roller-skiing and makes great use of the abundance of hiking trails in the I-90 corridor.  Our spring and summer program offerings include Momentum-sponsored local Nordic skills camps, regional Nordic camps, and non-camp programs that are as diverse as the Head Coach is creative.

Essential Functions

COACHING

• Function as the Lead Coach of the Comp group (grades 8-12*) – including developing and leading skill and age-level appropriate training in team settings throughout the year. * Note that exceptionally gifted younger athletes may be invited to participate in Comp program activities at the discretion of the Head Coach.
• Develop spring and summer programs for Comp and Mavericks groups, with assistance from the Mavericks Coaches.
• Coach Mavericks (ages 6-12) during the summer program and dryland season and occasionally during the winter to assist with their development and retention.
• Develop individual training programs for skiers who will be racing competitively as well as non-racing team skiers. Such programs will identify annual goals and provide for at least quarterly review.
• Identify different learning styles among skiers and effectively demonstrate different teaching styles in response to those learning styles.
• Identify ability levels of skiers and adapt teaching and demonstrations to skiers’ developmental level and physical abilities.
• Coordinate volunteer coaches to assist with workouts.
• Provide annual training to all Momentum coaches including Mavericks leads and volunteers, and be an available resource to coaches for ski technique and coaching related questions.
• Coach at the Junior National Qualifier (JNQ) races and at the Junior National race as requested by PNSA NCC. Note that Board President approval is required prior to participation in such opportunities.
• Organize on-snow programming for and coach at annual “Thanksgiving Camp.”
• Anticipate and prepare for all travel well in advance of races, camps or other events. Work with parent volunteers to ensure that accommodations are booked in advance, and prepare all equipment and vehicles and make sure they are properly maintained.
• Drive athletes to and from practices and all team-supported races and camps where team transportation is offered.
• Attend PNSA meetings as the Momentum Coach Representative.
• Assist with regional training camps as necessary.
• Attend Momentum Board meetings or Momentum working committee meetings as requested.
• Be knowledgeable of both glide and kick waxes and be proficient in wax application.
• Be an ambassador for Momentum to all team skiers and their families.
• Be a good example for the sport and industry by managing personal stress levels, having a positive attitude and communicating enthusiasm for learning.
• Respond quickly and effectively to a wide variety of situations including possible emergencies while maintaining composure and keeping skiers and fellow coaches calm.
• Be willing to take on other team duties as necessary.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Recruit hire and mange assistant and volunteer coaches and oversee their roles in the program.
• Recruit new athletes and grow the program.
• Manage all team equipment and supplies, including but not limited to vehicles, ski equipment and wax materials and supplies.
• Report any inappropriate or illegal activities to the Board President.

PROGRAM GROWTH AND FUND DEVELOPMENT

• Attend related organization events to grow network
• Network in the nonprofit and outdoor education community – necessary for fundraising connections
• Assist with development of marketing and recruiting collateral. Create sponsor materials and other items as needed for fund development.

COMMUNICATION

• Responsible for preparation of weekly communications to athletes, parents and volunteer coaches regarding workouts, travel, weekly schedules, and other Momentum Northwest activities. Coordinate with volunteer or deliver directly via TeamSnap, the Momentum website or other avenues as appropriate.
• Maintain communications with the Board President concerning the Team and any issues that may arise.
• Communicate with parents of skiers concerning skier development or behavior, or relay those concerns to the Board President, as appropriate, to work through any problems.
• Respond timely to all inquiries from families.
• Coordinate with volunteer or deliver directly, content for newsletters and social media to help promote and expand Momentum Northwest.
• Participate, as appropriate, in Board and Committee meetings, and provide monthly update to Board.

ADMINISTRATIVE

• Assist volunteer coordinator with placing orders for team equipment, wax and other items, as necessary.
• Plan and organize athletes and volunteers for training camps and race trips.
• Assist the Momentum Fundraising Committee with fundraising activities.
• Participate in waxing technique training sessions for coaches, skiers and parents.
• Assist with all manner and management of Momentum youth races and other hosted events, including overall organization, course layout, timing, race-day set-up and take-down, etc.

Experience / Requirements

• Must be at least 22 years of age.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License and be willing and able to transport skiers in a team van.
• Must obtain and maintain US Ski and Snowboard Coach Certification at a minimum of Level 200
• Must be skilled in skate and Classic techniques and be able to demonstrate those skills.
• Must be able to assess the techniques of skiers and aid them in improving their technique.
• Must be organized, able to adapt to changing situations and be able to maintain composure and professionalism in varying, often uncomfortable situations.
• Must have strong communication skills, motivational skills and interpersonal skills.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to stand on skis for extended periods, run, reach, walk, bend and stoop.
• Must be able to ascend and descend terrain and navigate uneven and or slippery terrain on skis.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to tolerate cold temperatures, at times below 0°F.

Attendance

• Must make a strong effort to attend all scheduled practices. If unable to make a practice session, find a suitable substitute coach (SafeSport or equivalent is required, even of parents or other volunteers).
• Vacation time must be pre-approved by the Board President.

Reimbursements/ Compensation:

• Compensation range is from $40,000 to $50,000 annually, depending on scope of responsibility. Scope assessment to be conducted quarterly by the Board President in consultation with the Board Compensation Committee.
• Full reimbursement annually for US Ski & Snowboard membership and SafeSport certification expenses.
• Full reimbursement for pre-approved training, including lodging and mileage. It is expected that every effort will be taken to minimize/share costs with other coaches or team families when possible.
• Momentum may offer additional benefits, to be determined annually by the President of the Momentum Board.