Paid Internship Coaching Position: Sports Performance
Job Title: Sports Performance Intern Coach
Location: Raw Sports Performance Gym, 1543 Palos Verdes Mall, Walnut Creek, CA
Reports To: Head Sports Performance Coach / Director of Sports Performance
Duration: Fall 2025
Hours: Part-time (15 hours/week afternoons) to start
Compensation: Stipend/semester
Position Summary:
The Sports Performance Intern Coach will gain practical, hands-on experience in the design, implementation, and evaluation of sports performance training programs for athletes of various ages and skill levels. This position offers a unique opportunity to learn from experienced professionals in a dynamic training environment, contributing directly to athlete development while enhancing personal coaching competencies.
Key Responsibilities:
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Coaching & Instruction (60%):
- Assist lead coaches in the supervision and instruction of strength, speed, agility, and conditioning sessions for individual athletes and groups.
- Demonstrate and cue proper exercise technique for a wide range of movements (e.g., Olympic lifts, powerlifting variations, plyometrics, change of direction drills).
- Provide feedback and corrective instruction to athletes, ensuring safety and optimizing performance.
- Actively participate in warm-up, cool-down, and recovery protocols.
- Potentially lead small group or individual sessions under direct supervision as experience grows.
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Program Design & Development (15%):
- Assist in the modification and progression of training programs based on athlete needs, goals, and training phases.
- Learn to interpret athlete assessment data to inform programming decisions.
- Contribute to the research and development of new training methodologies and exercises.
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Facility Management & Operations (15%):
- Ensure the training environment is safe, clean, and organized.
- Assist with equipment setup, breakdown, and maintenance.
- Learn about facility scheduling and operational logistics.
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Professional Development & Learning (10%):
- Attend and actively participate in regular staff meetings, coaching clinics, and educational workshops.
- Seek feedback from supervising coaches and implement constructive criticism.
- Maintain a professional demeanor and adherence to all facility policies and procedures.
Required Qualifications:
- Currently pursuing or recently completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Sports Performance, Strength & Conditioning, athletic coaching or a related field.
- CPR/AED and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain upon hire).
- Strong foundational understanding of exercise physiology, anatomy, biomechanics, and periodization principles.
- Demonstrated passion for sports performance and athlete development.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment and adapt to a fast-paced setting.
- Availability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as dictated by athlete schedules.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Previous experience (volunteer, practicum, or intern) in a sports performance, strength and conditioning, or athletic training setting.
- Working towards or holding a recognized strength and conditioning certification (e.g., CSCS, SCCC, USAW, NASM-PES).
- Experience as a competitive athlete.
Learning Outcomes & Benefits for the Intern:
Upon successful completion of the internship, the intern will be able to:
- Confidently coach and cue a wide range of strength, speed, and agility exercises.
- Understand the principles of program design and periodization for various sports and athlete populations.
- Develop effective communication strategies for interacting with athletes, coaches, and parents.
- Apply basic assessment techniques to inform training decisions.
- Gain insight into the daily operations and business aspects of a sports performance facility.
- Network with professionals in the sports performance industry.
- Build a strong portfolio of practical coaching experience.
- Receive mentorship and guidance from experienced coaches.
