Gould Academy seeks a talented, engaging, and experienced Nordic Ski Coach to oversee the school’s competitive Nordic skiing program. The head coach is responsible for the direction, instruction, supervision, and coaching of a Nordic skiing program that prepares student-athletes for Division I and national-level competition.
Bethel and the surrounding mountains of Western Maine are a haven for Nordic skiing, and Gould Academy has a long, rich history of developing Nordic skiers by focusing on the long-term goals of the student-athlete through technique work and year-round training.
On-campus, Gould boasts a 40-kilometer trail system, with access to some of the best skiing in the East less than an hour away. Direct access to groomed terrain is quite literally on our doorsteps, and our students and coaches make the most of it with practices five days a week.
Job Summary:
The head coach is responsible for all aspects of the Nordic Ski Program, daily training, yearly training plans, travel logistics, race schedule, home training venue, athletic equipment, and waxing. The head coach supervises assistant coaches. As a faculty member, they work to advance Gould’s mission, vision, and strategy and should serve as a positive contributor to the school community.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
● Nordic athlete education and coaching, with an emphasis on fitness, technique and skill development
● Supervise and conduct safe, fun and developmentally appropriate practices and activities for each group.
● Plan, develop and implement training plans and practice sessions
● Identify the strengths and weaknesses of athletes
● Nurture and develop athletes’ potential skills and abilities
● Analyze and evaluate an athlete’s performances and modify training programs
● Maintain scheduling with different groups, prep and competitive
● Work with admissions on enrollment initiatives
● Work with and manage assistant coaches conducting practices, waxing, events, races, and transportation.
● Communicate with athletes and families about schedules and upcoming events
● Attend races with the team. Coordinate waxing (both classic and skate) and wax testing while at races
● Facilitate and manage fall maintenance of trails and winter grooming to provide an optimal training environment
● Identify and recruit new students
● Organize all team travel, lodging, food, transportation, and maintaining the budget
● Work with athletes to pick and purchase the proper equipment
● Communicate with athletes and families about the college process and work with them to identify the best options for them
● Assists in the preparation of the Nordic trail system as needed
Periodic Duties:
● Assist with recruiting and retention initiatives as directed
● Transport on-snow athletes to/from airport
● Write athlete comments
● Assist athletes with gear selection and maintenance
● Coach and support commercial training camps
● Coach and or administer summer ski/training camps
● Participate in Professional Development Clinics/training
Athletics/Co-curricular:
In addition to their primary role, the head coach would also assume coaching/supervisory responsibilities for a sport/co-curricular in the fall or spring term. Some coaching assignments are in the interscholastic program and other assignments are the intramural programs. Some supervising assignments are responsible for clubs and other programs that enhance the educational experience of the students and are assigned according to interest and workload.
Community Life:
Faculty help to supervise students on school nights and weekends. Faculty and student leaders work together as a team to make the Gould experience one in which students can learn from one another. School night duty usually involves one to two nights of evening campus coverage, occasional backup coverage when necessary, and weekend duty that is assigned on a rotating basis in an equitable way. Faculty will be assigned to a weekend crew at the beginning of the school year. If conflicts arise for either evening or weekend duty, faculty members should arrange for coverage and communicate any changes to the AOD or team leaders. On-Snow is exempted from these duties during the winter trimester.
Other Duties:
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. They will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by their supervisor(s) and/or the Head of School.
● Supervision of student-athletes when traveling (at all times, 24 hours)
● Management of student-athlete academic work while traveling
Qualifications:
● College degree preferred
● USSA Level 200 required
● Competitive nordic background preferred
● First Aid/CPR training required (Must be willing to enroll if not current)
● Successfully pass a criminal and sexual offender background check
Physical Work Environment:
● Ability to ski while carrying more than 50lbs of equipment
● Occasional prolonged and irregular hours, working November through April 7 days a week
● Frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing and pulling
● Occasional lifting up to 10-30 pounds of supplies
● Must be able to travel to all campus locations and to appropriate training and meetings
● Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
Salary and Benefits:
This is a Full-Time, exempt position. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The benefits package is excellent and includes TIAA-CREF retirement benefits and full medical/dental coverage, life insurance, long-term disability, and daily prepared meals.
Qualified candidates can apply for this position by filling out an application and submitting it via email along with their CV or resume, three references, and a cover letter expressing interest in Gould to Deborah Menezes, Human Resources at HR@gouldacademy.org by April 10, 2020.
For more information about Gould Academy please visit us at: www.GouldAcademy.org.
Gould Academy prepares academically motivated students for college and helps them to become independent-minded, ethical citizens who will lead lives of purpose, action, excellence, and compassion in a dynamic world.
Equal Employment Opportunities – Gould Academy does not discriminate on the basis of national origin, race, creed, color, gender, disability, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admission, financial aid, loans, hiring process, and other school programs.
