Head Alpine Ski Coach

Position Summary:

The Head Alpine Ski Coach provides professional leadership for Western Colorado University’s Mountain Sports program, offering year-round coaching, mentorship, and support to student-athletes in both academic and athletic pursuits. This position is responsible for the design and implementation of all program elements, including training, competitions, recruiting, fundraising, and student-athlete development.

The coach collaborates with fellow coaches, faculty, and Crested Butte Mountain Resort to uphold the mission and values of Western Colorado University, WCU Mountain Sports, and WCU Alpine Skiing, ensuring a high-quality student-athlete experience grounded in excellence, discipline, and community engagement.

Job Description:

The Head Alpine Ski Coach is a half-time, year-round position that reports to the Assistant Director of Campus Recreation - Mountain Sports. The Head Alpine Coach provides professional leadership and coordination for Western Colorado University’s Alpine Ski Team within the Mountain Sports program. This position is responsible for planning and implementing all aspects of the team’s operations, including training, racing, recruiting, fundraising, and student-athlete development. The Head Alpine Ski Coach works in close collaboration with the Assistant Director of Campus Recreation – Mountain Sports and other Mountain Sports staff and coaches.

Responsibilities:   The Head Alpine Ski Coach leads year-round programming for Western’s Alpine Ski Team. Responsibilities include planning and executing dryland and on-snow training, applying advanced knowledge of alpine ski racing to create effective practice sessions, and setting courses in accordance with USCSA and USSA standards. The coach is responsible for race-day operations, risk management, and technical instruction in waxing, tuning, and equipment maintenance. The Head Alpine Ski Coach will manage team travel and logistics, including transportation, lodging, and athlete rosters for races and training camps. They will work closely with the Assistant Director of Campus Recreation - Mountain Sports to build and track the annual team budget.

The Head Alpine Ski Coach will play an active role in recruiting prospective student-athletes, developing outreach and visibility strategies, and assisting with fundraising campaigns to support scholarships and travel. This role also includes mentoring athletes in both academic and athletic goals, maintaining regular communication with team members, and upholding standards of accountability in accordance with University and Mountain Sports policies.

Administrative responsibilities include maintaining accurate records, registering athletes for events, and processing purchases using a university purchasing card. The Head Alpine Ski Coach will ensure compliance with institutional policies and maintain team membership in relevant athletic associations.

Required Qualifications: Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree and have a minimum of five years of experience coaching alpine skiing and managing recreational or competitive programming. Certification in CPR and First Aid is required. The ideal candidate will demonstrate advanced knowledge of alpine ski racing, including coaching techniques, safety protocols, and athlete development best practices. Applicants must also have experience with budget development and financial management, and be able to implement effective risk management practices related to equipment, facilities, and training environments. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential, along with the ability to mentor student-athletes and represent the university in a professional manner. The position also requires the ability to coordinate programming, logistics, and operations in collaboration with campus and community partners.

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Position Summary:

The Head Alpine Ski Coach provides professional leadership for Western Colorado University’s Mountain Sports program, offering year-round coaching, mentorship, and support to student-athletes in both academic and athletic pursuits. This position is responsible for the design and implementation of all program elements, including training, competitions, recruiting, fundraising, and student-athlete development.

The coach collaborates with fellow coaches, faculty, and Crested Butte Mountain Resort to uphold the mission and values of Western Colorado University, WCU Mountain Sports, and WCU Alpine Skiing, ensuring a high-quality student-athlete experience grounded in excellence, discipline, and community engagement.

Job Description:

The Head Alpine Ski Coach is a half-time, year-round position that reports to the Assistant Director of Campus Recreation - Mountain Sports. The Head Alpine Coach provides professional leadership and coordination for Western Colorado University’s Alpine Ski Team within the Mountain Sports program. This position is responsible for planning and implementing all aspects of the team’s operations, including training, racing, recruiting, fundraising, and student-athlete development. The Head Alpine Ski Coach works in close collaboration with the Assistant Director of Campus Recreation – Mountain Sports and other Mountain Sports staff and coaches.

Responsibilities:   The Head Alpine Ski Coach leads year-round programming for Western’s Alpine Ski Team. Responsibilities include planning and executing dryland and on-snow training, applying advanced knowledge of alpine ski racing to create effective practice sessions, and setting courses in accordance with USCSA and USSA standards. The coach is responsible for race-day operations, risk management, and technical instruction in waxing, tuning, and equipment maintenance. The Head Alpine Ski Coach will manage team travel and logistics, including transportation, lodging, and athlete rosters for races and training camps. They will work closely with the Assistant Director of Campus Recreation - Mountain Sports to build and track the annual team budget.

The Head Alpine Ski Coach will play an active role in recruiting prospective student-athletes, developing outreach and visibility strategies, and assisting with fundraising campaigns to support scholarships and travel. This role also includes mentoring athletes in both academic and athletic goals, maintaining regular communication with team members, and upholding standards of accountability in accordance with University and Mountain Sports policies.

Administrative responsibilities include maintaining accurate records, registering athletes for events, and processing purchases using a university purchasing card. The Head Alpine Ski Coach will ensure compliance with institutional policies and maintain team membership in relevant athletic associations.

Required Qualifications: Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree and have a minimum of five years of experience coaching alpine skiing and managing recreational or competitive programming. Certification in CPR and First Aid is required. The ideal candidate will demonstrate advanced knowledge of alpine ski racing, including coaching techniques, safety protocols, and athlete development best practices. Applicants must also have experience with budget development and financial management, and be able to implement effective risk management practices related to equipment, facilities, and training environments. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential, along with the ability to mentor student-athletes and represent the university in a professional manner. The position also requires the ability to coordinate programming, logistics, and operations in collaboration with campus and community partners.

Preferred Qualifications: Preferred qualifications include a USSA Level 100 coaching certification or higher. Candidates should also have familiarity with State of Colorado purchasing requirements and the ability to manage procurement processes efficiently. Additionally, the ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to multi-task, delegate responsibilities, and manage team operations in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Compensation: This is a half-time, year-round position with a salary of $23,000 – $24,000. This position is FLSA exempt. Western offers an excellent benefits package including shared premiums for a comprehensive health insurance plan, dental insurance, retirement plan, life insurance, and other insurance options. After one year of employment, Western provides free tuition for dependents enrolled full time in undergraduate programs for up to four years.

How to Apply: Apply online at http://www.western.edu/jobs. Required attachments for online application include letter of application addressed to Kevin Geisen, Assistant Director of Campus Recreation - Mountain Sports, resume, and contact information for three references.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Please direct questions to Kevin Geisen, Assistant Director of Campus Recreation - Mountain Sports.

Application deadline is August 18th, 2025 at 11:59 PM (MDT). Review of applications will begin immediately. The preferred start date is October 1, 2025.

Additional Information on Western and Gunnison/Crested Butte

Western Colorado University is a public institution with an enrollment of ~3,700 students. 47% of students are undergraduates, 33% are graduate students, and 80% receive some form of financial aid. Western students represent 17 countries, 50 states, and almost every county in Colorado. With an average class size of 17, Western’s faculty and staff share a strong commitment to personalized, rigorous, and immersive education. Visit http://www.western.edu to learn more about the university.

Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, Colorado, about 200 miles southwest of Denver amidst over 2 million acres of public land and a vibrant ranching community. The Gunnison valley provides robust cultural programming and exceptional outdoor recreation. A network of dedicated community organizations enrich the lives of many in the tight-knit community. Living in the valley, one appreciates a vibrant culture of festivals, exhibitions, performances, wellness activities, and more. In the winter, many enjoy in skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and along dozens of miles of cross-country trails. In the summer, bikers, hikers, and runners explore 750-plus miles of single-track trails, while others delight in fishing, boating, and paddle boarding at Blue Mesa Reservoir or on the Gunnison River and its tributaries. Pre-K-12 students are served by the highly-ranked Gunnison Watershed School District.

An Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.

Western Colorado University believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Western is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (for state classified positions, with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. Please see our diversity statement, and our DEII Committee charge.

 
ADAAA ACCOMMODATIONS:

Western Colorado University is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Western will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to the Office of Human Resources at HR@western.edu or (970) 943-3140.

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER INCLUDING DISABILITY/VETERANS

Western Colorado University believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Western is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (for state classified positions, with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. Please see our diversity statement, and our DEII Committee charge.

 
ADAAA ACCOMMODATIONS:

Western Colorado University is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Western will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to the Office of Human Resources at HR@western.edu or (970) 943-3140.

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER INCLUDING DISABILITY/VETERANS
 

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