ALPINE CERTIFICATION

Manuals, handbooks, & guides available for purchase online via the National Accessories Catalog

• Alpine Technical Manual (2014)
• Core Concepts for Snowsports Instructors (2008)
• Teaching Snowsports Manual (2018)
• Adult Alpine Teaching Handbook, 2nd edition (2015)

The PSIA-AASI West Advanced Trainer course is a training and evaluation process that refines the theories and practices of a successful trainer in the Western Region. This course is for any fully certified instructor who has extensive experience training and wants to be recognized and endorsed as a competent and effective trainer in the Western Region.

Becoming a trainer is not simply a case of sitting one more exam after passing the Level III Certification. While training has many components of teaching and relies on strong teaching abilities, there are significant differences between teaching students and training instructors which this course highlights.

Candidates working through this program must have a strong teaching background and experience in teaching at all levels. Candidates must also have the opportunity to present clinics to instructors at their home resorts in order to practice the skills necessary to develop into successful trainers and pass the certification exam.

This course will help guide participants in understanding and applying the difference between skill sets for teaching a lesson as an instructor, leading a clinic as a trainer, and preparing candidates for certification. This course can also act as a stepping-stone for people who want to grow their clinician and presentation skills for their own career development pathway.

The four-day course consists of two Training Days, and a two-day Assessment.

To register to attend Advanced Trainer, please contact your snowsports school director or training manager. These are private events, not listed on the public calendar, and can only be accessed through your director or manager. Snowsports school directors can request custom events at any time, or request access for individual trainers by contacting the Western Leadership.

Participants who attend all four days and meet all aspects of the Advanced Trainer Assessment Criteria will be endorsed as a Western Advanced Trainer. Passing the Advanced Trainer assessment is a requirement for anyone interested in becoming a Western Region Examiner.

Course Schedules are subject to change due to terrain, weather, crowds, group size, snow conditions, etc. Please use this information as a rough guideline.

Part 1: 2 Training Days

8:30am – Meet your clinician leader at the designated meeting location (a confirmation email noting the location will be emailed to you the day prior)

9:00am – 4:00pm – Plan to be on snow (lunch break will be provided)

Break into pairs. Watch ski/ride and body performance. Share observations with group. Explore successively more complex turn shapes and dynamics.

Create and deliver a 10 to 15 minute clinic to the group identifying a key area of growth and improvement from morning demos. Discuss movement analysis, clinic set-up and feedback delivery to clarify areas needing improvement and areas addressed well.

Assign new topics based off clinic practice and morning feedback. Discuss the differences between clinics, lessons, and exam prep (for example, how you talk with the group, how you lay out your drills and how you check for understanding). Work in group to design clinics for group engagement. Present 30-minute clinics to the group. At the end of each clinic discuss performance, what folks did well and where to improve.

End of day: Personal feedback highlighting goals for clinics and personal skiing/riding to work on.

Part 2: 2 Assessment Days

8:30am – Meet your clinician leader at the designated meeting location (a confirmation email noting the location will be emailed to you the day prior)

9:00am – 4:00pm – Plan to be on snow (lunch break will be provided)

Each candidate will present a 30-minute clinic from an approved list or as suggested by the clinic leader. Assessed according to assessment criteria.

End of day: Individual discussion reviewing assessment form and performance feedback. May discuss opportunities to shadow Level 1 exams and potential next steps in personal and professional development. If an individual has mastered the assessment criteria, and demonstrates the qualities and skills of a Western Examiner, they may be invited to apply for employment with the Western Region.

WESTERN EXAMINER JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Summary:

The PSIA-AASI Western Education Staff (examiners) actively contribute to the growth of the Western Region by conducting and delivering member training and certification. Regional Education Staff represent the top of the profession in terms of on-snow competency, mastery of the PSIA-AASI National Standards, and the ability to inspire and engage the widest range of members and the skiing and riding public.

QUALIFICATIONS

TECHNICAL: The PSIA-AASI Western Ed Staff are exceptional athletes who can ski/ride all terrain and snow conditions in a versatile, consistent, and technically precise manner. Western Ed Staff are competent breaking down the fundamentals of their discipline, providing clear and accurate demonstrations, and adapting clinics to the needs of instructors. Western Ed Staff exercise mastery in movement analysis and are adept at providing meaningful prescriptions that address complex cause and effect relationships. Ed Staff are fluent in the technical standards and assessment criteria.

TEACHING: Education Staff members can teach all Levels 1-9, with complete command of the Teaching Model according to the pedagogy and student-centered philosophy of the organization. They exhibit a thorough understanding of cross-discipline movement analysis through the lens of unique student needs and motivations. They have a sound capacity to deeply engage and assess diverse students across disciplines, event formats, and professional development pathways.

PEOPLE: Ed Staff are master communicators adept at discerning motivations and managing challenging group dynamics. Ed Staff are capable of delivering useful and accessible feedback in line with National Standards and participants individualized decisions, emotions, and behaviors. Ed Staff are emotionally intelligent and socially aware, creating a supportive and welcoming environment for all members of the association.

PROFESSIONAL: Ed Staff represent the brand and the region and are often the most critical interaction for members. Ed Staff must be self-aware, self-reliant, self-sufficient, emotionally intelligent, adaptive, and resilient. Ed Staff are tasked with delivering flawless events that inspire members, in a high pressure and ever-changing context. Ed Staff are also benefitted by a personal commitment to learning and development.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Represent the Western Region and promote collaboration, accessibility, and educational innovation in all interactions.

Be a conduit between our stakeholders (membership, member schools, and official suppliers), regional and national committees, and leadership.

Ed Staff utilize self-directed training along with ongoing weekly staff meetings and required annual staff training. Staff must commit to continued learning through attending and completing all training modules.

Shadow required events and master the content and delivery of assigned on-hill events.

Attend staff meetings and collaborate with fellow staff before, during and after each event to ensure consistent experiences and assessments.

Provide exceptional educational experiences for our membership that align with PSIA-AASI’s Learning Connection Model.

Master and apply the PSIA-AASI National Standards and supporting documents (Performance Guides, Assessment Criteria, daily outlines, etc.).

Provide clear and accessible feedback in line with assessment criteria that gives candidates and members an actionable pathway to continue their learning and development towards their desired goal.

Submit timely, thorough written candidate assessment forms after each event.

Actively manage availability and ProHub schedule to ensure the minimum work requirement is met each season. Communicate clearly your needs (personal, travel, and accommodations).

Proactively communicate with Western Leadership to solve membership and/or event issues.

Actively read and respond to texts, basecamp messages, emails, and phone calls from the Western Leadership.

Other duties as assigned.

PREREQUISITES

• Active PSIA-AASI Western member in good standing
• Level 3 Certified in your Primary Discipline
• Completed your Children’s Specialist 2
• Completed the Western Advanced Trainer Course, including passing the assessment
• Receive the recommendation of your primary disciplines Task Force Chair
• Current employment with a Western Member School is highly recommended

REQUIREMENTS

Ed Staff Must:

• Be highly collaborative and work well in a team.
• Have excellent guest service skills and put the member first in all situations.
• Have exceptional and inclusive communication skills.
• Have access to text, email, and phone during business hours.
• Be able to use the internet, web-based resources, and video technology in support of cutting- edge trends in Snowsports education.
• Capable of working in inclement weather in a high alpine environment.
• Have sight, speech, and hearing abilities sufficient to learn skills, follow and provide directions.
• Supply their own modern personal ski and snowboard equipment which has been properly maintained consistent with manufacturer recommendations and industry standards for the intended use.
• Be authorized to work in the US. PSIA-AASI West cannot sponsor visas or work permits.

HOURS

This is a part-time seasonal position with variable hours during the week. All Ed Staff are required to commit to 3 full days of events per season. This role can require long hours and weekends as programs shift across the season.

LOCATION

California or Nevada residency required, based near a Western Member School preferred.

TRAVEL

Education Staff will be asked to travel to events at ski and snowboard resorts across the region and potentially the nation. As such you will be exposed to the normal hazards of winter travel and the sport of skiing/snowboarding. Ed Staff may be asked or expected to travel and overnight travel may be required. All travel expenses are covered by the organization and may be supported by the organizations sponsored fleet vehicle. Ed Staff must have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and ability to work across multiple locations.

BENEFITS

• $25/hour regular wage and $16/hour training wage
• $70 daily per diem
• $20 Tech stipend every pay period
• $0.60 per mile travel reimbursement
• Access to CalSavers retirement program

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

AT-WILL

The individual hired in this role will be at-will and will be subject to termination by the employer or the Organization, with or without cause, with or without notice, and at any time.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

PSIA-AASI West is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

TO APPLY

Becoming a Western Examiner is not a training destination nor a PSIA-AASI certification. This is a job and should be approached with the same degree of professional integrity you would approach any job application.

Individuals who meet the required prerequisites, have the support of their resort leadership and task force chair, believe they demonstrate the qualifications and are capable of effectively managing the responsibilities are welcome to apply.

Applications are considered on a rolling basis; hiring is conducted to address staffing and events needs and may change over the course of the season.

To apply, please submit the following to Marisa Cooper at mcooper@thesnowpros.org:

1. 1. A letter of recommendation from your current resort employer outlining your professional conduct, skills collaborating across teams, and guest service expertise.
   2. A letter from your primary disciplines task force chair confirming the date you passed the Advanced Training assessment, detailing why you were given the recommendation to apply for Ed Staff and outlining any exam shadows you were asked to complete.
   3. A short cover letter detailing your ability to demonstrate the qualifications and perform the responsibilities of this critical role.

If your application is approved, you will be contacted for a final interview.