Job Opportunities

Swim Academy Head Coach

This opportunity is now closed


The Canada Games Centre (CGC) is a vibrant multi-sport community and recreation centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. We are a 176,000 sqft facility operated by a non-profit society committed to promoting physical literacy, fitness and wellness, and to supporting the needs of high performance sport & athlete development. The Centre runs sport and recreation programs, camps, fitness classes and so much more in an inclusive environment. Located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and traditional lands of the Mi’kmaq people, the CGC acknowledges the Peace & Friendship Treaties signed in this Territory and recognizes that we are all Treaty People.

Together, we inspire healthy active living.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Aquatics Coordinator this role involves striving to deliver the highest quality coaching and leadership to the CGC Swim Academy Program (CGCSA).

Responsibilities

  • Work with the assistant coaches to develop and deliver of all aspects of the CGCSA Summer Swim team
  • Interact with swimmers, parents, and coaches in a manner that adheres to the Canada Games Centre’s long term athlete development model and program philosophy
  • Create and effectively run practices and implement long term practice plans
  • Establish a reliable and professional on-deck presence
  • Attend all required meets, competitions, team events, time trials, socials and other CGCSA initiatives
  • Implement swimmer evaluation and development strategies
  • Communicate with Swim Nova Scotia
  • Ensure that knowledge, skills, and qualifications for yourself and coaching staff are kept up to date
  • Recruit coaching staff, supervise their performance, and create/manage their schedules including substitutes
  • When on deck, safety is the primary concern. You must conduct yourself professionally as a coach in behavior and appropriate dress. While coaching you must always be fully attentive to your swimmers and be prepared to enter the pool
  • Prepare a set of goals and specific objectives for the season
  • Arrange swimmers into practice groups and set the schedule for swim team practices in accordance with time allotted, pool space and coaches’ availability
  • Prepare weekly training plans for each age division you are responsible for and monitor training plans for the Assistant Coaches and their swimmers
  • Provide supervision and guidance to the Coaching Team.
  • Provide constructive feedback to each swimmer in your program during practices
  • Provide mid-season progress reports and final certificates for each swimmer
  • Complete all necessary administrative duties within deadlines as set by the Aquatics Coordinator and Swim Nova Scotia
  • Communicate with the Aquatics Coordinator on the following:
    • Swim team practice schedules
    • Dry land training sessions
    • Swim team social events
    • Equipment Management
    • Schedule of away meets and results
    • CGC Hosted Meet
    • Budget
    • Areas of concern, support required, recommendations, and any other pertinent information
  • Meet with a representative of personnel committee on a regular basis
  • Maintain office hours. Set aside specific “office hours” which are designated times for administration duties, paperwork, updating statistics, meeting with coaches and being available for telephone or personal meetings with swimmers, parents or CGC management, registration management, etc.
  • Be knowledgeable regarding the standards for the swimmers in your group
  • Interact with parents and encourage parent involvement

Responsibilities Specific to Swim Meets

  • Ensure that all entries are prepared and submitted by deadline
  • Always be available to your swimmers during the swim meets
  • Keep the swimmers together as a team and enlist the help of the Assistant Coaches and older swimmers in demonstrating and encouraging team spirit
  • Coach and support all swimmers for their races. Provide feedback to them following events
  • Prior to provincial deadlines, ensure that each swimmer has had the opportunity to swim each event at a meet at least once
  • Meet results are to be posted within 24 hours after the end of each meet

Skills

  • Good knowledge and understanding of the discipline of swimming
  • Ability to confidently lead and develop a coaching team
  • Ability to communicate effectively with swimmers and parents
  • Have a good working knowledge of child protection procedures
  • Ability to forge relationships with neighboring clubs and facility providers
  • Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
  • Be familiar with Swimming Canada and Swim Nova Scotia rules and regulations

Qualifications

Required

  • Minimum 2 to 4 years of competitive coaching experience
  • NCCP Swimming Level 1 or higher, or working toward this certification
  • Current member or able to gain membership with the Canadian Swimming Coaches Association (CSCA), Swim Nova Scotia and Swimming Canada
  • Background in swimming
  • Proficiency in HyTek Team Manager and Meet Manager Software
  • Intermediate Workplace First Aid (formerly Emergency First Aid) with CPR Level C (will be offered prior to start)

Desired

  • Working knowledge of FMS principles, Sport for Life model and the Get More from Sports philosophy
  • Computer skills, i.e., Microsoft Office, etc.
  • Desire to continue professional development
  • Willingness to learn new components of competitive swimming and modern coaching techniques
  • Driver’s license and access to a vehicle to attend Swim Meets
  • Swim for Life Instructor (SFLI) or Water Safety Instructor (WSI)
  • Official Level 1 or willing to obtain

Working Conditions

  • Requirement to work flexible hours – morning, day, evening, and weekends. Note additional hours will be required during competition season
  • Approximately 15-30 hours per week in May-June and 40 hours per week during competition season
  • Working environment includes physical, emotional, and mental demands
  • Safe use of all protective / barrier equipment as required by the employer
  • Exposure to loud noises and ability to concentrate in a busy environment

Compensation

The compensation for this position is $22.00 per hour (plus 4% vacation pay)

Notes

  • Criminal Record & Child Abuse Registry checks will be required as part of the hiring process

What’s in it for you?

  • Free facility membership
  • Free parking and proximity to Halifax Transit
  • Amazing team environment

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit a cover letter and résumé outlining how you meet the specific qualifications listed in the job posting to Wasan Nayfeh at careers@canadagamescentre.ca by Sunday, March 5th, 2023.

Please include the position you are applying for in the subject line. Failure to properly identify your application or attach working documents will result in your application being omitted.  

We are a welcoming and supportive environment whose goal is to be a diverse workplace representative of the citizens we serve. Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, African Nova Scotians, racially visible persons, women in occupations where they are under-represented, and the LGBTQIA2S+ community are encouraged to self-identify on your application.

This opportunity is now closed