October 18, 2006 – Application Deadline: October 31, 2006 Starting Date: December 1, 2006
Position: Technical Director
Job Description: Biathlon Canada, the national governing body for the sport of biathlon in Canada, is seeking an energetic and self-motivated individual to serve as Technical Director.
The Technical Director is the most senior technical staff position within the organization and as such provides the leadership that supports all biathlon sport development programs (coaching, officials and competition programs) and administers the activities of the National Team Program in the achievement of holistic athlete development and podium results in international competition and major games. The TD ensures that Sport Development programs apply sound business practices, operates according to Biathlon Canada, IBU, Sport Canada and COC policies and consistently delivers a high standard of athlete, coach and officials satisfaction. A complete job description will be provided upon request. OGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE and SCOPE
The TD is responsive to both the Vice President High Performance and Vice President Domestic for the development and accomplishment of his / her mandate. As a staff member, the Technical Director reports to the Executive Director. In performing his / her mandate, the TD will work closely with the Executive Director, the National Senior Team Coach, the Training Centre Coaches and Division staff / representatives. The TD will be responsible for facilitating effective working relationships with representatives from Partner Associations and Agencies including: Sport Canada, Own The Podium, CAC, Cadets Biathlon Program, Canadian Forces, CODA, Canadian Sport Centres Calgary and Montreal, COC, CCES, Canada Games, CSHNQ, IBU and the USBA, all of which impact the association’s ability to deliver athlete and sport development programs and services. The TD will work closely with the Chairs of the Coaching Committee and the Officials Committee. As well, he / she will provide program direction to and coordinate the activities of the Honoraria Coaches and support staff as they are assigned to various programs including camps, competitions and tours.
NATURE and SCOPE
Biathlon Canada is the national sport organization responsible for both the high performance and domestic aspects of Biathlon in Canada. Its National Office is located in Ottawa. The TD is based in the National Office. All personnel are employed by Biathlon Canada to facilitate the achievement of the Association’s goals and are required to operate within the policies and legal obligations of Biathlon Canada as established by its Board of Directors and its Executive, which are composed of volunteers. The Association receives financial contributions from different agencies (Sport Canada, OTP, COC, CAC, CSC’s, IBU, etc) and is accountable for disbursements according to published terms and conditions. Biathlon Canada establishes an annual operating budget within which programs and activities must be conducted. The Association’s staff is responsible for administrating and managing the Association’s financial activity. The National Office is responsible to provide administrative support to all Association activity.
The TD provides administrative support for the National Biathlon Team and National Training Squads, which helps promote the consistent and continuing development of Canadian athletes and the achievement of specific performance objectives in World Championships, Olympic Games, World Cup competitions, and other major competitions. The TD will conduct/coordinate the evaluation process of all coaches and team support personnel involved in the National Biathlon Program.
The TD is a member of the High Performance Working Group, the Domestic Working Group, the Coaching Development Committee, and the Officials Committee.
As a member of the High Performance Working Group, the TD is heavily involved in the development of selection policies and criteria to select biathletes for the National Team and to ensure that coaches and athletes are aware of and understand the selection process and its outcomes.
As a member of the Domestic Working Group, the TD is heavily involved in the development and maintenance of the coaching and officiating development programs as well as the administration of the technical courses for these programs. The TD is also heavily involved in the coordination of the national and North American event calendar including acting as a key contact to the organizers in administering hosting policies and assigning key officials.
The TD will establish consistent communication with Divisional coaches and / or competition chairpersons to ensure that there is optimal awareness of the National Team Program and activities, and to ensure that the TD is aware of complementary programs within the Divisions.
While the TD works under the supervision of the Executive Director, most of the responsibilities of the TD result from his / her involvement in administering the policies and procedures established within the Association for its various programs. These responsibilities require ongoing discussion to avoid problems arising from the dual nature of administering the programs while maintaining accountability and providing critical progress reports and reviews to the Executive.
In order to maintain an efficient and responsive National Team Program, he/she has the authority to make changes with regard to various matters, including training or competition schedules, where decisions are required quickly, and where such changes do not alter the Board approved program or budget or contravene the existing policies. For other changes, the TD may make recommendations but must seek approval at the appropriate level.
Outside Biathlon Canada, the Technical Director will communicate with competition organizers, national coaches of other federations and national sponsors to secure the best possible conditions for the national team. Official communication between Biathlon Canada and other national federations and sponsors shall be through the National Office.
The Technical Director is responsible for ensuring that a Sport Medicine and Science Program is carried out at the respective Training Centres and must ensure that monitoring and testing programs are consistent with the program plans and provide relevant information while respecting athlete confidentiality.
The position is one on high public visibility and as such it is imperative that the Technical Director represents the Association, including its athletes, coaches, staff, volunteers and sponsors, in a positive manner at all times.
The applicant should have the following experience / abilities:
· Formal Education at the university level in Physical Education or Physical Activity Sciences, or Sport Administration or the equivalent experience in the field of amateur sport.
· Coaching and Officiating certification or experience in biathlon and/or in other sports
· A proven record of success managing programs and personnel that have led to success in program development and major competitions at the highest level of national and international sport;
· Strong leadership abilities and a vision of what is required to achieve international podium results; · Significant understanding of short-term and long-term planning necessary to develop elite level athletes;
· The ability to supervise and critically evaluate coaches and support staff; · The experience and ability to represent Biathlon Canada professionally to all of its partners and stakeholders;
· Be a team player;
· The ability to communicate and negotiate effectively; · Bilingualism is considered a strong asset.
· Fluency in written English
· Excellent computer skills in order to create and present PowerPoint presentations and to write reports, using the Microsoft Office suite, for funding partners, the Executive and Board Members
The applicant will apply the aforementioned experience and skills in fulfilling the following: · Works with staff, national training centre coaches and the High Performance and Domestic Vice Presidents in the development of annual operating plans for the development of the sport. · Participates in the establishment of strategic plans for the development of the sport. · Helps implement organizational policies and plans, and evaluates progress towards the goals and objectives that have been established in annual and quadrennial strategic plans for the Association · Supports the High Performance and Domestic Working Groups in carrying out research, consulting with experts, distributing information or producing materials in support of committees’ work plans. · Oversees the preparation, selection and administrative support for all national team projects and evaluates the results · Oversees the establishment and communication of AAP standards, the preparation of the AAP submission to Sport Canada and the co-ordination of any appeals. · Oversees the creation of the annual National Team Program and selection criteria and following their approval, ensures that they are quickly and accurately communicated throughout the Association · Oversees the management of sport medicine and science programs in conjunction with the assigned Performance Enhancement Team. · Monitors the operation of the National Training Centres with a view to ensuring that training centre programs are consistent with Biathlon Canada goals for performance results and holistic athlete development. · Oversees the development of the coaching and officiating programs and helps lead their implementation, in particular the transition of the NCCP to a competency based system and the transition and review of the Officials Program · Coordinates technical coaching and officiating courses and the respective materials for those programs · Coordinates the national competition calendar and updates to hosting policies and ranking lists · Preparation of appropriate grant applications and reports · Negotiates North American Biathlon hosting policies annually.
TRAVEL The TD will be required to travel on a regular basis. This includes attending the National Championships as well as selection competitions and various Biathlon Canada meetings. The TD will, from time to time, be required to travel outside Canada.
APPLICATIONS The location of the position is at the National Office in Ottawa, Ontario. The anticipated start date is December 1, 2006.
Salary is commensurate with experience. Applications with a résumé and 3 references will be accepted at the address below until October 31, 2006.
Joanne Thomson Executive Director Biathlon Canada 2197 Riverside Drive, Suite 111 Ottawa, Ontario K1H 7X3 Fax: (613) 748-5762 Email: jthomson@biathloncanada.ca
We thank all applicants but only those invited for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please. This position is made possible with partial financial support from Sport Canada.
Salary Range: commensurate with experience
Type of Position:
Full Time – Employee
Contact Information:
Joanne Thomson
Biathlon Canada
Suite 111, 2197 Riverside Dr.
Ottawa , ON, Canada
K1H 7X3
E-mail: jthomson@biathloncanada.ca
Tel. 613-748-5608×3
Fax. 613-748-5762
http://www.biathloncanada.ca