August 8, 2008 (Durango, Colorado) – The Durango Nordic Ski Club (DNSC) in Durango, Colorado has an opening as the Head Coach for cross country skiing. The position is year-round and begins as soon as candidate is available, but not later than October 10, 2008.

DNSC has been in existence since 1954 and is a year-round, competitive junior cross-country ski program for junior skiers age 8 through 19. We direct junior skiers to focus on their athletic goals, whether those goals are having fun with friends and coaches or success at the World-Cup level. Currently the team has 40 to 45 junior skiers. DNSC also manages and operates the Nordic Center at Durango Mountain Resort

Durango is a very diverse active community and is the home to world champions, Olympians, and national champions in mountain biking, road biking, cross country skiing, volley ball, and kayaking. Also a five time Cy Young winner and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame lives in Durango. Fort Lewis College is in Durango and they have recently won national championships in men’s soccer and mountain biking and road biking. There is a tremendous amount of support from the Durango community and the parents in DNSC are always willing to step up and help when needed.

The Durango Nordic Ski Club head coach is responsible for the oversight and management of the junior race program for junior skiers from J5 through OJ classes. The DNSC head coach is answerable to the DNSC board or directors or their designated director of operations. DNSC is willing to train the right candidate for the head coaching position as long as there is dedication to cross country skiing.

Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

– Provide the vision and direction to keep Durango Nordic Ski Club as one of the top programs for junior skiers in the nation. DNSC has been the top junior racing club six out of the last twelve years in Colorado and five of those awards have come in the last six years.
– Function as head coach with direct responsibility for training J2 and older skiers.
– Provide leadership, direction, and supervision for the assistant coaches who are coaching are J5 skiers and who are coaching the J3 and J4 skiers.
– Develop a year-round training schedule for the skiers who are training for Junior Nationals, J1 Scando Trip, or World Junior Championships.
– Work with other junior programs within the community so junior skiers can cross train in kayaking, mountain biking, cross country running, soccer and/or other sports and activities.
– Provide leadership and training to the other DNSC coaches.
– Report on a regular basis to the DNSC Board of Directors.
– Adherence to the annual DNSC budget.
– Responsible that arrangements are made for transportation and lodging for DNSC skiers for Junior National Qualifying races and other major ski races that the board of directors has approved for travel.
– Provide help in fundraising development and participation with the Durango Winter Sports Foundation.
– Be creative in how DNSC could attract new members for the club.
– Generate timely and accurate communication with athletes and parents.
– Provide a complete itinerary for skiers traveling to training camps and to ski races.
– Provide the input and the maintenance for up-dating of the DNSC Web Site.
– Set goals on an annual basis for the DNSC and have the junior skiers set goals for training and racing on an annual basis.
– Keep the DNSC board of directors informed as to the progress of obtaining approved goals for the club.
– Assist the DNSC board of directors in the development of an annual program fee structure.
– Travel with the DNSC team to all Rocky Mountain Nordic Division Junior National Qualifying races and several major events (US National Championships, Junior National Championships, Super Tour Races, NRL Races, etc.).
– Attend the annual fall & spring meetings of the Rocky Mountain Nordic Division Junior Competition Committee.
– Attend the Regional Elite Group (REG) training camp if DNSC has skiers who qualify for REG.
– Attend National Coaches Conference for coach’s education as long as it fits within the DNSC budget.
– Be involved in the race organization of any cross country ski races that are conducted by the DNSC.

Skill Set:
1. Passionate about cross country skiing and training.
2. Demonstrate high ethical standards and ability to set a good example in personal conduct.
3. Being able to be creative and innovative.
4. Paying attention to details.
5. Ability to be resourceful.
6. Staying up to date on training methods, technique, and equipment for cross country skiing.
7. Being comfortable in using a computer especially in Word, Excel, Power Point, and Adobe PDF.
8. Support USADA and embrace drug free competition and have zero tolerance in the use of performance enhancing drugs.

There is a variety of duties and responsibilities, but the job is really a part time job. During the winter the time commitment on some days might be as much as five hours per day and during the summer as much as three to four hours per day.

As the Head Coach there is the opportunity to apply and to possibly coach for the USSA J1 Scando Trip or the World Junior Championships.

There are opportunities to make additional money if qualified by:
1. Being an assistant coach for mountain biking with the Durango DEVO Club
2. By coaching other endurance athletes via email or through a post graduate program in Durango
3. By coaching master skiers
4. By conducting summer training camps for endurance athletes
5. Working as a ski instructor or trail groomer at the Nordic Center at Durango Mountain Resort
6. Working for Durango Mountain Resort
7. Working part time at a business in Durango
8. Refereeing soccer for High School or youth games if certified.

Compensation for this job is negotiable and will be based on expertise and previous experience in management and coaching of Nordic sports.

To apply, Mail, or e-mail letter of application and résumé by August 29, 2008 to:

Mailing Address:
Mike Elliott
2613 Arroyo Drive
Durango, Colorado 81301
970-769-8655
teamelliott@frontier.net