Youth Coach

Updated 18/14/2026

Compensation: $21-25/hour

role and responsiblities

As a Youth Climbing Coach, you will play a critical role in the development of our youth community members as athletes and people. You’ll coach participants across our Middle School Club Team, High School Club Team, and Competition Team. You will provide supportive coaching, teach climbing technique, program and run strength training, teach performance tactics and mental resilience, and maintain a positive, fun, supportive, and growth oriented team culture.

We are looking for a versatile coach comfortable working with a wide range of age groups and skill levels. Part of this role is to support athletes during the USA Climbing Qualifying Event season and possibly Regional Championships.

  • Coaching & Instruction: Coach youth athletes in the physical, technical, and mental components of climbing in both group and individual settings.

  • Program Implementation: Execute training plans that accommodate the developmental needs of middle schoolers, high schoolers, and competitive team athletes.

  • Competition Support: Guide athletes through the USA Climbing circuit, including providing coaching during Qualifying Events and regional competitions.

  • Mentorship: Foster a team environment that balances mastery and performance with the joy of the sport.

  • Facility & Safety: Maintain the cleanliness and organization of training areas; solve, report, or escalate safety/maintenance issues.

  • Administration: Communicate effectively with parents, athletes, and gym leadership; assist with check-ins or sales as needed.

Tomo Youth Coaches are also eligable to work with adult clients and teach adult programs depending on experience. If you’re interested in working additonal programs, let us know in your application.

Minimum Qualifications

  • You like kids

  • You’ve worked with kids before as a coach, camp counselor, instructor, etc.

  • You like to climb

  • You can demonstrate and explain movements to different types of learners and age groups

  • You can manage multiple athletes simultaneously

  • You can work collaboratively with other coaches

  • You can effectively manage your time

  • You’re comfortable engaging with people from different walks of life

  • You have a current CPR/First Aid certification, SafeSport certification, USA Climbing coach certification or you’re willing to obtain them

Nice to have

  • 2-5 years of experience coaching climbing or another sport (experience coaching competition climbing is a plus)

  • Understanding of exercise science, physical training, and movement theory

  • Understanding of positive youth coaching

  • Understanding of the USA Climbing (USAC) system including rules, age categories, and competition formats

About our Youth Team programs

Our Youth Teams are about embracing challenge and pushing ourselves, whether an inch or a mile, to grow as climbers and people. Everyone can reach a goal with the right support. Tomo Youth Coaches support athletes by giving them the tools they need to forge their own path. Our four company values show up in everything we do, inlcuding youth coaching:

  • Accessibility: We provide competitive pricing and a welcoming entry point for all climbers.

  • Diversity: We believe all experience levels belong on our teams, and we actively work to provide scholarship opportunities.

  • Play: We keep it fun. Its why we climb.

  • Progression: We prioritize long-term development by fostering a love for the journey.

Perks & Benes

  • Membership to Tomo plus Guest Passes

  • Reciprocal access to other climbing gyms in the Portland Metro area

  • Discounts on retail, snacks, and beverages

  • Industry Pro-Deals

  • $200 Professional Development Stipend

  • Employee-funded Oregon Retirement Plan

  • Paid Time Off

To apply, send your resume to hello@tomoboulderingclub.com with the subject line “Coach Application.” If you don’t have a resume, here’s a resource to learn how to make one.

We aim to welcome and challenge climbers of all levels, fostering growth and building community. We’re also focused on pushing our industry through fair and equitable compensation, a supportive work environment, and increasing diversity in the indoor climbing professions. We’re a start-up business and are excited for you to join us on this journey.Tomo is an equal-opportunity employer that complies with EEOC rules and regulations. We don’t discriminate based on race, age, disability, or other non-merit characteristics.