Southern California Regional Team Head Coach

Touchstone Climbing owns and operates 19 climbing gyms across California. But we're more than gyms -- We're a community. 

In addition to competitive pay, outstanding benefits, free gym membership, and other perks, joining our team connects you with all we have going on in our dynamic community.

This is only a summary of the typical functions of the job and not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. You may be given other duties and information to follow from your Head of Youth Programming or Gym Manager as they see fit to give.

The role of Regional Team Head Coach entails two primary duties: developing and coaching a competitive team program for all Touchstone gyms.

Responsibilities:

• Show up on time and ready to work with all necessary equipment.
• Be consistently available to attend all team practices and most competitions.
• Create and implement training curriculum for all Competitive Teams in your region.
• Oversee safety of team climbers during training and manage impact of the team training on gym members.
• Connect with gym managers about team impact on gym and possible adjustments to accommodate best gym operations.
• Coordinate competitive team tryouts for your region.
• Collaborate with competitive team coaches and solicit feedback on program improvements.
• Create (or contribute to) training materials for team (goals sheets, training logs, etc.) Consistent communication with team parents about team scheduling (competitions, practices, team events, etc.) and individuals (behavioral issues, performance updates, etc.)
• Consistent communication with Youth Programs Director about program quality and development.
• Schedule team coaches for comps in respective region as well as plan traveling logistics for competition.
• Manage Team Touchstone coaching staff. Host periodic program wide coaches’ meetings.
• Collaborate with coaching staff from Climbing Clubs to effectively move climbers through the program, identify candidates for Team Touchstone, structure curriculum to be consistent across all teams, ensure quality of program at all levels.
• Work with gym managers, Youth Programs Director to interview and train new coaching staff in all regions.
• Manage team and club waitlist and collaborate with Climbing Club coaches to set up tryouts for specific gym locations / regions.
• Collaborate with routesetting department to support team events/needs.
• Help plan team events such as training camps, team get togethers, mock competitions, etc.
• Help with managing the training center and seeing that appropriate climbs are going up to accommodate all youth programs. Manage or co-manage Team Touchstone Instagram account.
  
  

Appearance, Attitude, and Skills

• Wear a Team Touchstone coaching shirt or Touchstone logo wear while coaching.
• Show up on time and ready to work.
• Maintain a presentable and clean appearance.
• Adhere to the Touchstone standards for customer service in all interactions with team climbers, parents, and gym members. Be courteous, professional, and non-defensive with all gym users and guests.
• Adhere to the Touchstone Coaching Code of Conduct in all interactions with team climbers.
• Be able to communicate and teach children of a wide range of ages and skills. Able to communicate and teach in a manner that is fun, engaging, effective, and age-appropriate.
• Ability to observe climbers of all ages and abilities and give constructive, effective feedback on their climbing technique and performance.
• Ability to belay (top rope and lead) and in accordance with Touchstone belay standards and with regard for the general safety of the climber.
• Ability to teach physical training exercises (e.g. push ups; pull ups; V-ups; etc.) with proper form and regard for safety.
• Communicate clearly and in a timely manner with supervisors and coworkers.
• Self-motivated to stay on task during work.
• Represent Touchstone in a professional and positive manner at all times

Administrative

• Keeping climbers/parents informed on Team Touchstone practice schedules, competition schedules, performance, behavior issues, etc.
• Managing and tracking USAC registration, team affiliation, competition attendance.
• Communicating with gym management to ensure that the team program doesn't adversely impact their gym, gym users, or staff.
• Consistent communication with Head of Youth Programs on matters relating to training, program development and quality, incidents occurring at team or involving team climbers.
• Develop training programming for Team Touchstone.
• Create team materials (goals sheets; training logs; etc.) for Team Touchstone members.
• Collaborate with coaching staff from Climbing Clubs to effectively move climbers through the program, identify candidates for Team Touchstone, structure curriculum to be consistent across all teams, ensure quality of program at all levels.
• Identify climbers on lower level teams who are good candidates for Team Touchstone. Working with their coaches and parents to facilitate moving through the team program.
• Contribute to special team projects as necessary (e.g. mock Regionals; extra practices; team trips; etc.).
• Assist in managing team RGP accounts including: ensuring dues are set correctly; membership status is correct; addressing billing issues in a timely manner; ensuring rosters are accurate and full; tracking attendance; etc. Ask gym manager or Head of Youth Programs for help if needed.
• Clean up work areas before leaving the gym.
• Submit semi annual reports (seasonally) on team performance and general team information.
• Manage or co-manage Team Touchstone Instagram account.
  
  

Coaching

• Consistent attendance at Team Touchstone practices. Keep training fresh, challenging, fun, and of a caliber that enables climbers to reach the National level of competition.
• Arrive each day with a concrete plan for practice. Effectively and clearly communicate the plan for each day to all team climbers.
• Creating thoughtful climbers who can think, climb, and compete for themselves.
• Emphasizing personal growth through practice. Integrating themes about growth mindset; learning and mastery-based approach to training; developing confidence and a positive self image; commitment and dedication; and the value of teamwork into practices.
• Address competition-specific movements and tactics.

Competitions

• Must attend all qualifying events. Exception for attendance if a Head Team Coach or Assistant Team Coach can attend the competition in your place.
• Maintain a current USAC coaching certification. Present in ISO. Manage climber warm-up in ISO.
• Facilitate feedback post-climbing for all climbers.
• Make sure to take meal and rest breaks while attending competitions and log them on your time card.

Manager Relations

• Cultivate and maintain positive working relationships with the gym managers.
• Make a point of saying hello each day you are in the gym.
• A good working relationship with a gym manager will make resolving future issues much easier.
• Gym managers have their gym’s best interest in mind.
• Consider and respect their requests for noise and practice locations impacting members.
• If their requests are difficult to accommodate, seek the advice of the Head of Youth Programing.
• Communicate clearly what is happening in the gym.
• • Make the gym managers aware of any major changes/or team related incidents at the gym.
  • Major safety issues need to be reported to the gym manager

Participant Adjustments and Physical Contact
It is crucial for team coaches to be mindful of the diverse range of physical abilities and limitations among our class participants. While physical adjustments or contact can be valuable for proper form and alignment, it is essential to approach this practice with sensitivity and respect. Some individuals may have unique physical conditions or limitations that require extra care and attention. Therefore, we kindly request that you take the following guidelines into account when offering adjustments:

1. Consent and Communication: Always seek explicit consent from participants before making any physical adjustments or contact. Create an open line of communication, encouraging participants to voice their preferences and limitations. Respect their boundaries and honor their decisions.
2. Demonstration and Verbal Cues: Consider using demonstration and verbal cues as primary tools for guiding participants through correct form and alignment. This approach ensures that everyone can participate at their own pace and comfort level.
3. Individualized Approach: Understand that each participant has their own unique physical needs and capabilities. Avoid a one-size-fits-all approach and instead, provide personalized suggestions and modifications that cater to their requirements.
4. During Practice Adjustments: Be aware of the context in which adjustments are made. Public adjustments, such as in a team group setting, should be minimal and focused on general form correction and always framed in a positive manner.

Additionally, we would like to emphasize the importance of maintaining a professional and unbiased demeanor during practice. Participants may have concerns about favoritism or potential harassment, which can negatively impact the team dynamics and participants' overall experience. Here are a few suggestions to foster a fair and inclusive environment:

1. Equal Attention: Strive to distribute your attention and support equally among all participants. Be attentive to each person's needs, progress, and questions, ensuring that no one feels overlooked or ignored.
2. Transparency and Objectivity: Be transparent about your decision-making processes, such as choosing individuals for demonstrations or providing feedback. Base your choices on objective criteria, such as effort, technique, or improvement, to minimize any perception of favoritism.
3. Professional Boundaries: Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with all participants, both during practice and outside of it. Avoid engaging in personal conversations or activities that may create the perception of impropriety or bias.

By following these guidelines, we can create an environment that is safe, inclusive, and respectful for all participants. Let us continue to prioritize the well-being and individuality of each person, fostering a positive team experience for everyone involved.

Job Skills and Qualifications

• Passion for working with children and facilitating their growth as climbers and people.
• Safety-conscious approach to work.
• Empathetic, age-appropriate approach to teaching and communication with children.
• Ability to teach rock climbing and competition skills to a wide range of ages and ability levels.
• Knowledge of USAC competition format and rules.
• Maintain a current USAC coaches certification.
• Basic understanding of route setting for a comp climbing experience.

Physical Requirements

• Able to stand for the duration of an entire practice. Able to belay for extended periods of practice as needed.
• Ability to effectively and appropriately spot climbers during bouldering activities.
• Bending at the waist and neck, sitting, kneeling, laying horizontally, climbing.
• Ability to effectively top-rope and lead belay children of all ages.
• Able to stand continuously for the duration of a practice (3 or more hours).
• Ability to teach physical training exercises (e.g. push ups; pull ups; V-ups; etc.) with proper form and regard for safety.
• Take and clock regularly scheduled meal breaks.
• Take appropriate rest breaks.
  
  

Travel Required
This role is required to work at various gyms in the region including Pasadena, Los Angeles, Culver City, Torrance, Burbank & Fresno.

Compensation
Pay is $70,304/annually. This is a full-time position,working 40 hours per week. The nature of our business may require dedication beyond that on occasion, which you may balance within reason when the need isn’t as great. Individual compensation decisions are based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to; facility location and type, membership volume, experience, and job/position tenure.

Benefits
At Touchstone, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package for full time employees, including

• Health Insurance – Choose from two Kaiser Permanente plans:
• • 90% employer-paid coverage for employees and 70% for dependents of Kaiser’s top-tier, no-deductible, low-copay plan
  • 100% employer-paid coverage for employees and 70% for dependents of a higher-deductible Kaiser plan
• Dental Insurance – 80% employer-paid coverage for employees and 65% for dependents
• Vision Plan - 100% employer-paid coverage for employees and 70% for dependents
• Medical FSA - All employees are eligible to make Pre-tax contributions to a Flexible Spending Account for medical expenses
• Mental Health Services - Access to Modern Health and Calm
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Employer match available
• Paid Time Off – Vacation and sick leave provided
• Free Gym Membership – Access to all Touchstone facilities for employee and a +1 membership for a partner, family member, or friend
• Guest Passes - Unlimited guest passes to get a non-member entry to a gym free of charge when accompanied by the employee
• Pro Deals & Staff Discounts – Discounts on gear purchased at our gyms and industry pro deals
• Flexible Work Schedule – Supporting work-life balance
  
  

We believe in fostering a supportive and rewarding work environment where our employees can thrive.

If this sounds like something you’d love to do, we want to hear from you! Click Apply now to submit your application!

Location(s) includes but not limited to:

Cliffs of Id, The Post, Hollywood Boulders, LA Boulders, Verdigo Boulders, Class 5, Metal Mark