NYRR Striders Coach (Walk/Run) Level 1

New York Road Runners; New York (NY); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

New York Road Runners is seeking a part-time Striders coach to lead group walks and fitness sessions for older adults across NYC locations. You will co-lead sessions, support safe participation, and coordinate attendance and events.

This role requires strong communication, coaching experience, and a commitment to inclusivity and diversity within a community-focused program. Most shifts occur weekdays with occasional weekend events.

Qualifications

• 1+ Years of Customer Service experience.
• 2+ years of coaching physical activity with diverse populations.
• Experience with walking or running training programs for beginners.
• Knowledge of best practices in older adult fitness and age-related issues.

Responsibilities

• Co-lead group walk/run/fitness sessions for older adults.
• Ensure participant safety and support throughout sessions.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings; maintain regular communication with the Striders team.
• Schedule and enroll participants, manage registrations and attendance.
• Deliver planned fitness sessions and adapt to participant needs.
• Support program coordination and admin tasks as needed.

Skills

Customer Service

Coaching

Communication

Team Leadership

Microsoft Office

Languages (plus)

Education

First Aid & CPR/AED

Running Coach certification

SafeSport training

Job description

Description

New York Road Runners (NYRR) was founded in 1958 when a small group of passionate runners vowed to bring running to the people and has grown from a local running club into the world’s premier community running organization. NYRR’s vision is to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running.

NYRR’s year-round offerings of races, community events, programs, and training resources provide hundreds of thousands of people with the motivation, know-how, and opportunities to start running and keep running for life. NYRR’s premier event, the famed TCS New York City Marathon, attracts the world’s top professional runners and committed amateurs alike, while also raising millions of dollars annually for charity and driving economic impact for New York City. NYRR is equally committed to the runners of tomorrow, passionately providing youth fitness programs that educate and inspire children in underserved communities in New York City, nationwide, and around the world.

Headquartered in New York City, NYRR is a 501(c)(3) organization. To learn more, please visit www.nyrr.org.

New York Road Runners is an Equal Opportunity Employer

About The Department

The Community Impactteam oversees a variety of programs that offer running community opportunities to actively support NYRR's mission to help and inspire people through running. These programs include Rising New York Road Runners for youth, Run for the Future for high school young women, Open Run - a free, weekly, community run/walk program open to all ages and abilities, and Striders, a free walking and fitness program that offers physical activity and wellness resources for older adults looking to get active, stay fit or improve their health. The program also connects participants to a community of like‑minded adults who are determined to prove that athletes have no age limits. NYRR Striders provides in‑person, coach‑led workouts to more than 1,000 older adults across NYC at local parks, senior centers, and community centers. We also offer online resources through NYRR Striders at Home to older adults nationwide.

Please visit our website at www.nyrr.org/striders for more details.

About The Position

The NYRR Striders senior fitness program has weekly sessions, with most program hours occurring between Monday‑Friday mornings and afternoons. The Striders program incorporates different types of all‑levels activities for older adults at indoor and outdoor locations. Coaches lead weekly walking and fitness sessions and communicate with members about upcoming events. Most sessions are conducted in local parks and senior neighborhood centers throughout New York City. There are weekend races/walks that coaches can elect to work when available.

The Coach supports all efforts to foster a safe and inclusive environment and creates strong team cohesion.

This is a part‑time position, requiring a commitment of at least two sessions per week. Typical shifts are Monday through Friday between the hours of 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm. Each shift is two hours with the exception of events. It’s required to work at least two events throughout the program year.

Job Responsibilities (primary and secondary duties):

• Co‑lead a group walk/run/ fitness session for an older adult population, including people from diverse backgrounds, and all physical abilities.
• Ensure all participants are supported throughout each session and finish the session safely.
• Arrive at various locations promptly and as assigned.
• Complete daily attendance, and support participants with enrollment and event registration.
• Perform other administrative tasks required for scheduling program implementation.
• Attend staff meetings, required program curriculum trainings and team events.
• Maintain regular communication with Director, Striders Program
• Communicate frequently with the program team. Respond to all correspondence promptly and reply to all requests by the specified deadline.
• Communicate correct, effective technique and form to improve participant pace and mobility.
• Contribute program enhancements based upon practice and experience
• Perform routine responsibilities under the general direction of the supervisor.
• Apply established fitness principles, technical skills, and functional knowledge to safely facilitate the curriculum.
• Deliver pre‑planned group fitness sessions while adapting instruction to meet participant needs and ensure a safe, engaging experience.
• Apply technical and functional knowledge to support assigned program initiatives and daily operations.

Job Requirements:

Experience

• 1+ Years of Customer Service experience
• 2+ years of coaching physical activity with populations of all ages
• Exposure to teaching older adult and/or non‑traditional populations preferred
• Knowledge and experience with a walking or running training program for beginners or non‑traditional populations
• Experience with group exercise or older adult fitness specialty beneficial
• Knowledge of best practices in older adult fitness as well as understanding of age‑related issues.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams with a strong ability to mentor, train, and guide fellow coaches and participants
• Proven experience supporting and executing walking sessions, race events, and special programs with a high level of independence, while aligning to overall program direction.
• Experience providing training, guidance, mentoring and support coordination to new and existing coaches.

Education & Certifications

• First Aid and CPR/AED certification (or willingness to obtain certification through NYRR sponsored training)
• SafeSport and NYS Mandated Reporter training (or willingness to obtain certification)
• Knowledge of Physical Literacy (or willingness to attend online or in‑person workshops through NYRR sponsored training.)
• Running Coach certified from a nationally recognized program (USATF, RRCA) preferred.

Skills and Attributes

• Ability to coach and implement training plan for novice‑advanced fitness/walker/runner participants.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to facilitate games and team bonding activities to create a strong team environment.
• Ability to motivate and encourage new fitness and walker/runner participants.
• Ability to implement effective conflict resolution as needed.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong attention to detail
• Knowledge of NYC neighborhoods a plus.
• Fluency in another language is a plus
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Other Requirements

• Must be willing to travel to all of our sites, located across the 5 NYC boroughs
• Must be able to work a consistent weekly schedule
• Flexibility to work nights and weekends as needed for the program and organization’s events and trainings.

Salary: $30/hour