2025 Spring and Summer Race Coach

Job Posted 1/24/2025
Gig Harbor Junior Sailing
11010 Harbor Hill Dr. Suite B PMB158
Gig Harbor, WA, WA 98332
United States
Full Time
Full-Time
Experience Required
Security Clearance Required
Housing Provided
No
Industry
Coaching
Job Start Date
2/24/2025
Job End Date
9/12/2025
Pay
$23.00 to $33.00 Per Hour
Job Description

Join our Team for a 6-month full time position!

Are you the race team coach who will take our well-established race program to the next level? Join the Gig Harbor Junior Sailing (GHJS) staff to coach the Narrows Race Team from February through Mid-September 2025. You’ll coach Spring High School Sailing (multiple high schools), and transition to coaching Narrows Race Team sailors as they compete in ILCA, C420, FJ and Opti fleets at summer regattas. This is a full time, 2-season non-exempt position in beautiful Gig Harbor, Washington. 

Narrows Race Team, with over 60 racers on team rosters, includes development and varsity high school teams with a history of attending national championships as well as consistent podium finishes  during the busy summer racing season. GHJS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing inclusive sailing programs that foster youth development, primarily through popular camps and active race teams in the Gig Harbor and Tacoma areas. Today, in addition to our large race team, we’re serving almost 700 area youth in summer sail camps. We’ve become one of the largest junior sailing programs in Washington State, and were recognized by US Sailing in 2024 with the More Than Ten Years of Hallmark Performance in Community Sailing award.  GHJS is supported by year-round and seasonal staff, a passionate and responsive Board of Directors, dedicated volunteers and amazing race team sailors and their families. We are a growing program looking for positive leaders to take ownership of the program and help us reach our potential. 

This position, supervised and supported by the Sailing Director, will provide opportunities for excellent professional growth, and superior quality of life in the heart of the Puget Sound. Salary range offered is $23 - $33 per hour depending on experience. 

We operate our programs at the West Shore Marina in picturesque Gig Harbor, and run the Tacoma Yacht Club Junior Sailing Camps on nearby Wollochet Bay. Our race teams operate out of both locations from February through October. The GHJS fleet consists of 9 safety boats (3 purchased since 2018), 2 keelboats, and 49 dinghies with most of the dedicated racing dinghies purchased new in the last 5 years. TYC also provides a fleet of powerboats and dinghies for racing and LTS programs.

High school racers sail FJs and participate in Northwest Interscholastic Sailing Association events. Narrows Race Team sailors represent 3-5 Different High Schools. 

The Summer race team has five fleets: Opti Green, Opti Champ, Junior Varsity FJs, Varsity Lasers (ILCAs), and Varsity Club 420s. 

Position Details: 

  • Pay: $23- $33/hour depending upon experience and certifications 

  • Hours: 35-40 hours per week 

  • Event Weeks - 20 hours/week of evening practices and up to 20 hours/week of regatta coaching 

  • Practice Weeks - 20 hours/week of evening practices and up to 20 hours/week of clinics, lessons, planning and other GHJS program support. 

  • Season transition work including clinics, classes, reorganization and summer staff training in June

Responsibilities Include: 

 

  • Coaching 3-to-4-hour evening race team practices, for three to five days each week

  • Coaching High School Sailing Team in FJs during the Spring

  • Working with other staff to coach summer fleets and support GHJS operations

  • Conducting risk management

  • Following and enforcing safety policies and procedures 

  • Traveling to and coaching at local events - housing for regattas (when necessary) and travel costs are covered by the program

  • Coordinating regatta logistics in conjunction, including boat transport, sailor registration, and parent communication 

  • Facilitating proper upkeep of equipment 

Spring and Summer 2025 Events Schedule 

Interested coaches should apply regardless of scheduling conflicts. Given appropriate scheduling time, we are able to find substitute coaching as needed. Event travel and accommodations are covered by the program. Non-event weeks may offer flexible scheduling options for coaching staff to work full time or part time. 

Click here to see GHJS Spring/Summer Event Schedule

 

Job Requirements

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • US Sailing Level 2 or 3 (Race Coach) Certification or equivalent

  • Competitive racing experience, including US Interscholastic Sailing Association Participation

  • Experience facilitating and organizing local event travel and working with parents 

  • 2+ years of race coaching experience

  • Coaching experience with spinnaker and trapeze Club 420s, and/or Lasers (ILCAs)

  • Valid vehicle drivers license

Minimum Qualifications: 

  • US Sailing Level 1 Certification or equivalent (May be completed upon hire)

  • Be certified in CPR, First Aid, Heads Up CDC Concussion Training, SafeSport, and NASBLA Boater Education Certification (May be completed upon hire)

  • Ability to pass background and driving record checks

  • Ability to work flexible hours to include evenings and weekends when appropriate

  • One year of race coaching experience with Optis and FJs

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Employer

11010 Harbor Hill Dr. Suite B PMB158
Gig Harbor, WA WA 98332
United States
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