Approach Camp Lead Coach Job Description

Title: Approach Camp Lead Coach
Reports To: Recreational Head Coach
Department: Camp
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Classification: Seasonal
Location: Mira Mesa, San Diego

The Why:

Mesa Rim’s vision is to improve the quality of life of our community. We believe that climbing can be transformative and we seek to inspire lifelong climbers who connect with themselves and others. Camp coaches bring this to life by providing a fun and encouraging camp experience for youth camp participants. 

The How: 

As a Camp Lead Coach, you are passionate about working with kids and seek to contribute to the success of Mesa Rim’s Camp program.  You have a positive attitude and know that camp is meant to foster learning, growth, and having fun! You have experience working youth camps and know what’s required to run them effectively. You are kind, patient, encouraging, and able to connect with kids and your fellow Camp Coaches. You take safety seriously and understand the diligence and attention to detail required to oversee a group of children for extended periods of time, and you hold that high standard for yourself and the team. As a Camp Lead Coach, you consistently demonstrate leadership and professionalism, and are a go-to resource for both your fellow coaches and the community.  

The What: 

Instructional and Operational Excellence: Camp Lead Coaches are responsible for coaching participants in camp in accordance with camp protocols and ensuring camp operations run smoothly during shift. 

• Fulfill job functions of a Camp Coach
• Execute group and individual climbing instruction appropriate for session participants
• Demonstrate, educate, and enforce all safety guidelines associated with youth camp and program areas
• Assess and strive to improve basic climbing skills and techniques of session participants
• Recommend other appropriate Mesa Rim programs suitable for the participants
• Lead by example by consistently coaching in accordance with the Camp Mesa Rim Handbook
• Lead participant check-in/pick-up, following procedure and ensuring participants leave with authorized adults
• Ensure camp area and equipment is organized and clean after each session concludes, delegating tasks as needed 
• Lead setup, teardown, and operation of ropes courses and other camp activities used during Camp Mesa Rim sessions
• Support supervisor in facilitating session debrief discussions with the team
• Contribute to the development and implementation of creative activities for camp that support participants’ sense of accomplishment and mastery
• Manage bookings and services using RedPoint
• Communicate with parents to address matters such as bookings, payments, refund policies, and child behavior and overall well-being, elevating issues to supervisor as appropriate
• Maintain and inventory camp equipment, reporting any shortages to supervisor
• Possess advanced knowledge of all gym offerings (climbing, yoga, fitness, pro-shop, setting, youth programs, etc.) and share this knowledge with Camp Coaches and community
• Understand and enforce all emergency and injury procedures associated with the camp program
• Understand and execute youth belay test and certification procedures

Coaching Presence Excellence: Camp Lead Coaches are responsible for overseeing groups of youth climbers and providing shift leadership for Camp Coaches

• Act as a role model and mentor to Camp Coaches, modeling effective coaching practices

• Lead the execution of daily camp program, ensuring proper curriculum is followed and camp runs on schedule
• Provide direction, tasks, and feedback to coaches as needed
• Represent the program to the community, answering questions and speaking with parents as needed
• Liaise with the Front Desk Team to ensure successful check-in for programs; when applicable, demonstrate advanced knowledge of RedPoint, checking in and ringing up customers
• Communicate with parents regarding bookings, payments
• Relay 
• Take initiative in problem solving and utilize sound judgment; understand when to include management, and in the absence of management, make critical decisions for the well-being of the gym, its users, and staff in such areas as safety and customer service; report to supervisor when program-related discrepancies occur

• Be the go-to Camp Coach in the case of upset camp customer
• Ensure Camp Coaches take required breaks
• Regularly communicate strengths and areas of improvement to supervisor for both program operations and team member performance 
• Assist in training Camp Coaches on camp protocols, equipment, and executing camp curricula 
• Regularly oversee group of approximately four participants between the ages of 4 and 14 years; occasionally responsible for temporarily overseeing group of up to 20 participants
• Build rapport and trust with participants and coaches, motivating them and encouraging their progress
• Teach and support the development of good ethics and sportingship 
• Supervise participants during their breaks and camp yoga sessions
• Comfort homesick and/or unhappy participants

Other work-related duties as assigned

Hours vary and minimums may be required according to the needs of business operations at each location

Must-Haves:

• Must be at least 18 years of age 
• Must have High School Diploma or equivalent
• Must contribute to Mesa Rim Climbing Center culture

• Must have ability to seek and accept, as well as give, critical feedback in a professional manner
• Must demonstrate a positive attitude and be a team player
• Must have a drive to grow professionally

• Must have at least two years of climbing experience
• Must have at least two months of belaying experience

• Must have at least two months of lead climbing and lead belay experience
• Must be able to pass the Mesa Rim lead climbing and lead belay certification test

• Must enjoy working with youth ages 4 to 14 years old
• Must be available for training sessions one week prior to camp start dates

• Must have seasonal open availability
• Must demonstrate an inclusive instruction philosophy that fosters community, builds confidence, and nurtures youth development on and off the walls
• Must be able to communicate with participants, parents, and members of the public on behalf of Mesa Rim

• Must be able to work in an organized and transparent manner
• Must demonstrate ability to adapt to change
• Must be able to efficiently and effectively multitask

• Must pass criminal and sex offender background check prior to start of work

Nice-to-Haves:

• Previous professional experience working with youth strongly preferred
• Current First Aid & CPR Certification preferred
• Previous leadership experience

Get Stoked For Access To:

• Being part of an amazing team and company culture that focuses on personal and professional growth, authentic communication, and genuine care for one another
• Mesa Rim membership, access to Mesa Rim classes, pro-deals, and Pro Shop discounts
• Access to Employee Assistance Program

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit in a harness, climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; utilize manual dexterity to handle or feel; use both hands at the same time;reach overhead with arms; walk up and down stairs, and grip with hands; walk on hard/soft and even/uneven surfaces; use a computer; talk, yell and hear. The employee may frequently be required to do physical work lifting and/or moving up to 25-50 pounds, and occasionally lifting and/or moving between 50 and 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to loud noise, airborne particles, dry conditions (non-weather), and occasionally exposed to falling objects, trip hazards, risk of moving mechanical parts, mechanical burn and bodily fluid.

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I certify that all information I have provided in order to apply for and secure work with the employer is true, complete, and correct.

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I understand that this employer does not unlawfully discriminate in employment and no question on this application is used for the purpose of limiting or eliminating any applicant from consideration for employment on any basis prohibited by applicable local, state, or federal law.

I understand that this application remains current for only 60 days. At the conclusion of that time, if I have not heard from the employer and still wish to be considered for employment, it will be necessary for me to reapply and fill out a new application.

If I am hired, I understand that I am free to resign at any time, with or without cause and with or without prior notice, and the employer reserves the same right to terminate my employment at any time, with or without cause and with or without prior notice, except as may be required by law. This application does not constitute an agreement or contract for employment for any specified period or definite duration. I understand that no supervisor or representative of the employer is authorized to make any assurances to the contrary and that no implied oral or written agreements contrary to the foregoing express language are valid unless they are in writing and signed by the employer's president.

I also understand that if I am hired, I will be required to provide proof of identity and legal authorization to work in the United States and that federal immigration laws require me to complete an I-9 Form in this regard.

I understand that reasonable safeguards will be taken to protect all personal information provided or obtained in conjunction with this application for employment. My personal information may be shared with the employer's affiliate(s) and third parties engaged by the employer to perform services for the employer. Any personal information shared with an affiliate or third party is to be used solely to perform the services requested by the employer.

This Company does not tolerate unlawful discrimination in its employment practices. No question on this application is used for the purpose of limiting or excluding an applicant from consideration for employment on the basis of his or her age, ancestry, color, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, race (includes traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), religion, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and/or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local law.

I understand that any information provided by me that is found to be false, incomplete, or misrepresented in any respect, will be sufficient cause to (i) eliminate me from further consideration for employment, or (ii) may result in my immediate discharge from the employer's service, whenever it is discovered.

For California Applicants: Mesa Rim Climbing Centers CCPRA Job Applicant Privacy Notice linked here.