Head Coach (Lifesaving Sport Club: Water Ninjas)

About Us
Spray Lake Sawmills Centre (SLSC) is a leading-edge sport and recreational facility encompassing 325,000 square feet, including an aquatic centre, four arenas and a curling centre, fitness & climbing facilities, an indoor turf, track, and gymnasium, and is home to several third-party tenants. SLSC is a not-for-profit organization and a registered charity, governed by a volunteer board of directors. With a team of over 170, we offer a dynamic and fast-paced work environment that promotes excellence in teamwork, community building, and an innovative customer-focus. SLSC is located in Cochrane, Alberta.

About the Position
This position is responsible for directing club activities to provide safe, enjoyable, and productive learning experiences for participants in our SLS Centre Lifesaving Sport Club (LSC), (aka, “Cochrane Water Ninjas”) and various other Aquatic clubs (which may include “Junior Lifeguard Club” (JLC), and/or “Adult Swim Club”). The Head Coach will lead the design of group workouts, lessons, and practices suitable for competitive and non-competitive club participants. They will actively support the marketing and promotion of the program, and the registration of new participants, under the guidance of Aquatic Dept leadership. The Head Coach will work closely with the rest of the Aquatic team in supporting the goals of the Aquatic Centre and will be responsible for the day-to-day delegation and mentoring of Club Coaches.

Job Type: Part-time, Hourly

Availability Required: Must be able to run at least 4 practices per week (regularly), and manage/direct other Coaches to lead the other practices effectively.
Practice Schedule: Sunday 5-8pm, Monday 6-7:30am, Tuesday 5-8pm, Wednesday 6-7:30am, Thursday 5-8pm, Friday 5:30-7pm

Specific responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver a safe, effective, enjoyable, and well-balanced club program which matches the values and goals of SLS Centre and Lifesaving Society standards, in consultation with the Aquatics Dept leadership.
• Assist in the development of Aquatic club budgets including competitions, coach wages, team events, and team equipment.
• Lead club practices and provide effective direction and mentorship to Club Coaches, Junior Coaches, and Volunteer Coaches.
• Provide competitive swimmers the opportunity to master technique and provide non-competitive swimmers the opportunity to reach their own personal swimming goals.
• Build effective professional relationships with participants and the community.
• Coordinate and facilitate opportunities for club participants friends/family to try the sport out.
• Coordinate equipment set-up, maintenance, cleanliness, and organization.
• Work with Aquatics leadership to ensure effective coach work schedules, ensure that coaches are utilized effectively for a minimum shift length of 2 hours, and support scheduling conflicts and effective planning.
• Drive volunteer opportunities in alignment and under direction of Human Resources for parents of club participants, as well as youth volunteer coaches.
• Work effectively with Aquatics Leadership and Human Resources to utilize the LSC and other club programs as a recruitment tool in developing potential new lifeguarding staff and promoting SLSC as an employer.
• Demonstrate professional behavior through the education, motivation, encouragement, and the maintenance of constructive relationships with participants, parents, colleagues, coaches, and supervisors.
• Complete administrative tasks associated with the position (specific to the club as assigned).
• Travel to competitions as required.
• Willing and able to take on other duties as required to support the team and/or reach a minimum shift length of 2 hours.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5+ years of experience as a sport coach (paid or volunteer).
• Certification as a Lifesaving Instructor (LSI) and Sport Coach
• NCCP Level 1, or other relevant certifications are considered an asset.
• Intermediate First Aid (Current within 2 years) and CPR Level C/AED (Current within 1 year) required.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Previous experience directing, supervising, and mentoring is an asset.
• Able to develop and execute creative lesson plans while remaining flexible to individual and group dynamics.
• Ability to demonstrate tact & diplomacy when resolving participant needs, coach issues, and cross-departmental collaboration.
• Able to adhere to, enforce, and role model SLSC policies and procedures, collaborating with and taking direction from other departments as required (HR, H&S, Marketing, etc).
• Able to provide a successful Vulnerable Sector Check.