MerGeo is seeking to hire two part-time orienteering coaches to instruct and lead a mixed-age team of middle school and high school students in its second year at an all-girls school in south Bellevue, WA. Practices will be twice per week, with likely scheduling on Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-5:15pm or Monday from 3:30-5:15pm and Wednesday from 2:00-3:15pm OR 3:30-5:15pm. The actual practice schedule will be set based upon the schedules of the school and coaches. Practices will take place both on-campus and at nearby parks. Competitions are Saturdays: 11/19, 12/3, 12/17, 1/7, 1/21, 2/4, and 2/18.
It is expected that coaches will split the administrative and orienteering-skill-focused portions of the job described below, including the preparatory work, according to their respective skills and time commitments. Both coaches will conduct practices together. Some guidance of athletes at competitions will be expected. Weekend competitions are optional, and athletes and their families are responsible for their own transportation. It should be possible for the coaches to also run their own courses.
The total time commitment per week for each coach is expected to be around 8-15 hours (assuming an approximately equal split of the workload between two coaches), with an additional 5-6 hours for at least one coach on competition weeks. The ideal start date is November 1 to allow planning time, with practices likely starting the second week of November. The position will last at least through the end of January and possibly through the end of the competition season, which is the third weekend in February. Practices stop during school holidays and vacations. Method of pay is hourly. Mileage and other expense reimbursement is additionally available.
A library of maps, courses, and practice plans is available from last year as a basis for this season’s team, however coaches will be responsible for modifying the materials and plans as needed, in consultation with the company Principal.
Key Responsibilities:
- Maintain a respectful and positive team culture that is focused on participation and includes and affirms athletes of a variety of abilities
- Teach orienteering skills, primarily in group settings
- Design and conduct orienteering training activities, both on-campus and at nearby parks, for student athletes in 5th to 12th grades
- Prepare student athletes who elect to participate in Washington Interscholastic Orienteering League (WIOL) competitions
- Drive student athletes from school to orienteering training activities and back
- Guide student athletes in evaluating their orienteering training and races and learning from their experience
- Collaborate with company Principal on training program curriculum, methods, and schedule
- Communicate and coordinate with school personnel, students, and parents about the orienteering program
Key Skills: Ideal candidates will have the following skills and/or be willing to learn/improve on the job, where applicable. The skills below are needed among the two coaches, and it is expected that each single candidate may not have mastered all of the skills listed.
- Intermediate or advanced level orienteering skills
- Ability to clearly demonstrate and explain skills to others
- Good time-management skills and ability to lead group activities on a set schedule
- Ability to work in collaboration with other coach
- Ability to design courses at a chosen skill level or that emphasize chosen skills
- Ability to accurately set markers in the field for training exercises
- Ability to drive safely and willingness to drive school vans to transport student athletes
- Excellent spoken and written communication skills
- Fluent in English
Experience:
- Multiple years of participation in orienteering in a context where training, learning, and improvement were emphasized
- Familiarity with WIOL and local orienteering events
- Coaching or teaching experience is helpful but not necessary
- Experience in leadership roles or working in a collaborative environment are helpful but not necessary
Please direct expressions of interest to: Eric Bone, eric@mergeo.com or 206-291-8250.