Team Ascent Head Coach

Climbing Business Journal; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 33,000 - 37,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick leave

Free gym membership (part-time)

Industry discounts

Retirement savings program

Additional benefits for full-time

Job summary

Ascent Studio is seeking a Head Coach for Team Ascent, our youth program that competes locally through the national level. The role emphasizes growth, athlete development, and movement-based coaching for ages 8–18.

Strong organizational skills and a passionate approach to youth sports are essential. The position offers 24–32 hours per week with weekday evenings and weekends required; potential for full-time hours in the programs department.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years of extensive climbing experience in multiple disciplines at an advanced level, including both bouldering and sport climbing.
• Ability to provide quality, informed coaching on climbs up to 5.13 and V9.
• Minimum 2 years of experience coaching a competitive youth climbing team that competed in USA Climbing circuits.
• 1+ years of personal competition experience on USA Climbing youth or pro circuit since 2015; or equivalent knowledge.
• Certified L2 Coach requirements including CPR/First Aid/AED, background check, SafeSport training.

Responsibilities

• Identify and implement mission and values for Team Ascent.
• Attend and oversee Team Ascent practices or arrange coverage.
• Design and implement training programs for Junior, Comp, and Comp Select levels.
• Provide individualized training plans for Team Ascent athletes.
• Develop a qualification process for team levels to maintain sustainable rosters.
• Enforce coaching practices focused on health and safety.
• Travel to local, regional, divisional, and national competitions.
• Manage administrative tasks: schedules, travel, events, USAC duties, gym management, gear orders.
• Maintain relationships with Front Range programs and pursue collaborations.
• Communicate with Team Ascent parents and athletes about practices and events.
• Stay current with training research and pursue coaching development opportunities.
• Play a role in hiring and developing Team Ascent coaching staff.
• Communicate needs to Director of Programming and integrate Team Ascent within the program.
• Coordinate with Head Setter on seasonal needs and maintain community relations.
• Be the face of Ascent Studio.

Skills

Coaching skills

Youth coaching

Communication

Organization

USA Climbing knowledge

Job description

Ascent Studio is seeking a qualified and passionate individual to serve as a Head Coach for our competitive youth program, Team Ascent. Team Ascent is competitive at the local through National level and is actively seeking to expand in size. We are looking for applicants who have a passion for competition rock climbing, a depth of training knowledge especially pertaining to youth athletes, and a growth mindset regarding program health and athlete development. Applicants should love working with kids, have personal or professional competition experience, and be well-versed in movement-based coaching techniques.

Compensation:

• $24 to $27 per hour, DOE
• Part-time hourly position: 24-32 hours per week. Weeknight and Weekend availability is required.
• Full-time employment may be available for eligible candidates through additional hours in the programs department.

Responsibilities:

• Identify and implement a mission statement and core values for Team Ascent that are in line with the mission and values of the Ascent Studio Youth Instructional Program
• Attend and oversee all Team Ascent practices, or secure coverage when travel or other life events prevent practice attendance
• Design and implement all training programs for the Junior Team, Comp Team, and Comp Select training levels of Team Ascent
• Provide individualized training plans for Team Ascent athletes when applicable
• Design, enforce, and continuously improve a qualification process for selecting members to the training levels of Team Ascent; in order to maintain a sustainable roster for each level of team.
• Implement and enforce coaching practices that emphasize the physical and emotional health and safety of all Team Ascent athletes
• Travel to local, Regional, Divisional, and National level youth competitions in support of attending Team Ascent athletes
• Perform all administrative operations of Team Ascent, as assigned by the Director of Programming; including competition schedules, travel logistics, team community events, USAC duties, Redpoint climbing gym management, and apparel/gear ordering.
• Maintain a healthy relationship with other Front Range climbing team programs, and actively pursue opportunities for collaboration that benefit Team Ascent athletes
• Maintain a constant line of communication with Team Ascent parents and athletes, and distribute all relevant information regarding practices, team events, and competitions
• Communicate regularly with individual Team Ascent athletes and parents regarding athlete performance and progression
• Stay up to date with modern training research pertaining to climbing and youth athletic development
• Pursue professional coaching development opportunities on a personal level, with the support of Ascent Studio Climbing & Fitness
• Play an active role in the hiring process of the Team Ascent coaching staff
• Help develop the Team Ascent coaching staff on a professional level, with the support of the Director of Programming
• Communicate the needs of Team Ascent with the Director of Programming, and ensure that those needs are met in a timely manner
• Communicate with the Director of Programming and the Youth Programming Coordinator to ensure that Team Ascent functions as an independent but integrated unit within the Ascent Studio Youth Instructional Program
• Communicate the setting-specific seasonal needs of Team Ascent with the Head Setter, and ensure that those needs are met in a timely manner
• Create relationships with members, and help form bonds within the climbing community.
• Be the face of Ascent Studio!

Qualifications:

• Minimum 4 years of extensive climbing experience in multiple disciplines at an advanced level, including both bouldering and sport climbing
• Ability to provide quality, informed coaching on climbs up to 5.13 and V9
• Minimum 2 years of experience coaching a competitive youth climbing team that was involved in the USA Climbing competition circuit
• 1+ years of personal competition experience on the USA Climbing youth or professional circuit since 2015; or equivalent knowledge of modern competition climbing
• Possession or active pursuance of the requirements to be a USA Climbing Certified L2 Coach (currently up to date CPR/First Aid/AED, background check, and SafeSport Training Program completion)
• Extensive knowledge and experience with the USA Climbing rulebook, competition formats, and operational procedures
• Experience writing and implementing coaching curricula for large programs, 20 participants or larger
• A passion for working with kids ages 8-18
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Ability to communicate in a timely professional manner with the guardians of athlete

Part-time hourly employees receive:

• Accrued paid sick leave (1 hour per 30 worked)
• Free membership (working 2+ hrs per week) and membership for significant other (working 4+ hours per week)
• Industry discounts at other climbing gyms
• Participation in retirement savings program (CO SecureSavings Roth IRA)
• Additional benefits available for full-time employees.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) Statement

Ascent Studio is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. We are pleased to be an inclusive and welcoming community.