Youth Programs Assistant Coach / Lead Coach
Alaska Rock Gym, Anchorage

Role Description

As a youth coach for Alaska Rock Gym, you will be responsible for teaching youth the technical skills of climbing, but also help develop children as individuals. To align with ARG’s youth goals, we encourage our participants to work as a team, and have supportive behaviors towards peers and other climbers, have welcoming attitudes, a teachable mentality, and general stoke for climbing.

Youth coaches are responsible for checking in and greeting participants upon arrival and fitting children with appropriate rental equipment. Similarly, chatting with parents and checking children out at the end of each lesson. Return rental equipment away and clean up after each lesson.

During class, the coaches will follow daily lesson plans to educate students on how to become climbers in this community by showing them etiquette and the rules of the gym. You are responsible for teaching technical terminology, movement, and skills like tying figure 8 knots and how to belay to help children become proficient in climbing. Coaches will assist the Leads of each class with transitions from one part of the gym to another.

As a representative of Alaska Rock Gym, all employees are expected to be knowledgeable about the gym and its offerings, and stoked about the outdoor industry. Our staff lead by example, are kind, welcoming, and eager to pursue growth opportunities. We are viewed as accountable, reliable and contribute to a supportive, team environment.

Benefits include a free monthly gym membership, unlimited buddy passes, company profit sharing, paid climb time/pay period, simple IRA eligibility, and access to industry pro-deals for major outdoor brands (up to 60% off).

Preferred skills and job expectations for Assistant Coaches ($18 – $19/hour):

• Enthusiasm and patience for working with children
• Ability to supervise and direct groups of 15+ of participants
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• A strong sense of empathy for others, particularly those under the stress of being new to climbing
• Experience coaching or teaching children 5-18 years old
• Must be able to work a minimum of 3 days/week

Additional Responsibilities for Lead Coaches ($20 – $21/hour):

• Lead by example as the daily group facilitator
  • Have excellent time management for moving groups between programs and/or spaces in the gym
  • Follow the lesson plans and keep assistant coaches and children on track
• Bridge communication to the Head Coaches and Assistant Youth Program Director
  • Give daily debriefs, and discuss problems with a solution-based mentality
• Communicate daily updates to youth parents

Hourly rates are commensurate with experience. Bi-annual reviews are conducted in March and September. Please apply here and include your resume with two references. Alaska Rock Gym is an equal opportunity employer.