USA Canoe/Kayak hiring for 200m National Sprint Team Coach

To download official 200m National Sprint Team Coach position description, click here>>

Join USA Canoe/Kayak's team of dedicated sport professionals and lead the spirited Canoe/Kayak Olympic Movement in the United States. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for a Sprint canoe coach to be part of a very exciting time for USA Canoe/Kayak to direct sprint athletes in achieving sustained competitive excellence.  A new 200m Olympic training program allows for this coach to direct athletes through all facets of preparation as well as discovering new methods of athlete development, training, equipment and recruitment.

Following the philosophy of Olympism our coaches are expected to promote the Olympic ideals of respect, fair-play and excellence.

Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind.  Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of a good example, and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.    - Olympic Charter

Job Description

I.             POSITION SUMMARY:

USA Canoe/Kayak seeks a 200m National Sprint Team Coach to lead our Olympic program.  This coach will also collaborate with the Head National Sprint Team Coach on the 500m Women's program and other men who may double in both the 200m and 1000m events. The 200m National Sprint Team Coach will report directly to the National Teams Director but will daily collaborate with the Head National Sprint Team Coach on training, technique, testing, talent identification, logistics and the use of the applicable services from the United States Olympic Committee's (USOC) Sport Performance Division to enhance each elite athletes training and growth of the sport in the U.S.. This position will also work very closely with the Sprint National Development Director on the enhancement of developmental programs for U.S. Paddlers.

The 200m National Sprint Team Coach is directly responsible for the preparation and performance of National Teams, primarily Senior National for the U.S. in international competitions in Sprint Canoe racing. This coach must have a clear grasp of the fundamental physiological principles as they apply to the 200m distance of Sprint Canoe. The goal of the 200m National Sprint Team Coach, like that of all USA Canoe/Kayak performance employees and of the USA Canoe/Kayak Sprint Governance Committee, is for our teams to achieve top results in international competitions; including World Cup races, World Championships, Pan American races and especially in the Olympic Games.  To achieve this goal the 200m National Sprint Team Coach must assist individual athletes to understand what is required to achieve competitive excellence, to improve as sprint paddlers and to maximize their potential.

The position will require extensive travel within the US for meetings, training camps and domestic racing competitions as well as multiple international trips each year as the primary 200m coach of USA Canoe/Kayak National teams.

II.            PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Serve as the primary 200m Coach of USA Canoe/Kayak National Teams, including preparation for and travel to national and international competitions
2. Work in collaboration with the Head National Sprint Team Coach with the 500m program and 1000m when a 200m athlete may cross over in both events
3. Develop and monitor individualized and periodized training plans for identified elite sprint athletes
4. Participate in the creation of team selection criteria
5. Organize and manage team selection and development camps
6. Develop with the Head National Sprint Team Coach, performance based standards for athletes aspiring to participate in National team programs and ICF competitions.
7. Oversee development and recruitment of elite athletes
8. Review yearly plan with Sprint National Development Director to ensure program coordination.
9. Monitor international competition in Sprint Canoe and assess USA Canoe/Kayaks  competitiveness and adjust training accordingly
10. Manage USA Canoe/Kayak operations, as requested at designated USA Canoe/Kayak training sites (e.g., Chula Vista OTC), including:
    1. Responsibility for USA Canoe/Kayak assets, including; boats, vehicles, trailers, radios and other equipment
    2. Supervision of USA Canoe/Kayak athletes at Camps and Competitions
    3. Maintain relationship with resident or camp host organization (e.g., USOC OTC staff)
11. Support National Teams Director in the preparation of HPP, budgets, schedules and reports
12. Coordinate all team logistics with National Teams Director and Head National Sprint Team Coach including travel, housing, boat transportation, event registration, etc.
13. Implement and enforce USA Canoe/Kayak, USADA, WADA and ICF anti-doping policies
14. Participate in yearly planning sessions or similar initiatives with the USOCs Performance Services division to fully utilize USOC Performance Services offered through the year
15. Actively participate in coach education and other professional development programs
16. Make personal appearances and presentations as requested in support of USA Canoe/Kayak marketing, communications and development programs
17. Demonstrate the highest level of ethical standards and serve as a role model for USA Canoe/Kayak athletes, members, clubs and competitors
18. Complete expense reports in a timely basis
19. Perform other related duties as assigned

II.            POSITION RELATIONSHIPS

Athletes and Coaches

• Elite Sprint Athletes - Serve as the primary coach for 200m and select 500m/1000m athletes
• USA Canoe/Kayak Member Coaches - Serve as a resource to Club coaches in the development of athletes and National team philosophies at the club level through National Development Program initiatives

USA Canoe/Kayak Staff Relationships

• National Teams Director- Report to and work intimately to develop, implement and monitor the USA Canoe/Kayak High Performance Plan for Sprint
• Head National Sprint Team Coach - Work intimately to develop yearly logistical, training and strategic plans, discuss training methodologies/philosophies and new technology/equipment to enhance the sprint program
• Executive Director - Support Executive Director as requested
• USA Canoe/Kayak Staff Members -Support as needed or requested

Board and Committee Relationships - Work with National Teams Director and volunteer committees as required to achieve the USA Canoe/Kayak High Performance Plan objectives; specifically to participate as requested to the following:

• Sprint Governance Committee
• Sprint Selection Committee
• Board of Directors

USA Canoe/Kayak Membership --Serve as resource for USA Canoe/Kayak clubs and sprint racing members.

Other organizations -Interact as required or requested by the National Teams Director or Executive Director with the following key organizational constituents of USA Canoe/Kayak:

• U.S. Olympic Committee
• International Canoe Federation
• Pan American Canoe Federation

IV.            POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant field preferred
2. Experience, preferably backed by certification, as a sprint racing coach required
3. Experience of three years or more coaching elite, internationally competitive sprint athletes
4. Knowledge of the technical, physiological and psychological needs of elite sprint athletes
5. Experience in high level international competitions in sprint racing, as a coach
6. Ability to implement and develop periodized programs for sprint athletes
7. Leadership skills to effectively lead and manage teams of elite level athletes
8. Good communication skills, both written and oral, in English
9. Foreign language skills is a plus
10. Basic skills in budgeting, planning and financial management
11. Ability to speak and make presentations before large groups
12. A proven record of achieving excellence in international competition preferred
13. A passion for the sport of sprint racing and for working with elite and soon-to-be elite athletes
14. A self-starter, capable of working with minimal supervision

Application Process: 

Please provide resume, profile and training plan samples, if available

Position Type:

Full-Time/Regular

Interested Applicants Email:

William Irving, USA Canoe/Kayak National Teams Director at William@usack.org

Applications Due:

This position will close on December 1, 2009

 

Tags: Canoe Sprint, US National Sprint Team