Title: Pathways Talent Coach (Independent Contractor) 

Department: USRowing High Performance Pathways Program 

Reports to: Fred L. Emerson Jr. Head Coach, High Performance Pathways (for coordination and collaboration) 

Location: Remote/Hybrid 

Role;

USRowing is seeking two experienced independent contractors to serve as Pathways Talent Coaches. This fixed-term project focuses on identifying and developing U19 and U23 athletes within USRowing’s High Performance Pathways who have the long-term potential to progress toward the Senior National and Olympic Teams. 

This position is intended for established high-performance coaches—particularly those with U19 and/or U23 international coaching experience—who will undertake this work alongside their current coaching roles. 

Pathways Talent Coaches will work as independent professionals, setting their own schedules, methods, and day-to-day approaches while collaborating closely with the Head Coach of High Performance Pathways to align efforts with USRowing’s broader talent identification strategy. This partnership ensures their independently executed work contributes directly and meaningfully to the success of the High Performance Pathways system. 

Scope of Work:

Contractors will determine how, when, and in what order to complete the following services, while coordinating and consulting regularly with the Head Coach of High Performance Pathways: 

• Design and execute an independent scouting strategy to identify U19 and U23 athletes with international-level potential. 

• Build and maintain professional relationships with youth, scholastic, and collegiate coaches (IRCA, CRCA, and ACRA) to identify and track emerging talent. 

• Conduct site visits to youth and collegiate programs to observe athletes, assess talent characteristics, and connect with potential national team candidates. 

• Submit written scouting reports and development recommendations to the Head Coach of High Performance Pathways by agreed-upon deadlines. 

• Provide consultation on prospective camp invitees and selection processes for U19 and U23 high-performance programs. 

• Independently track athlete development over time using self-selected systems and evaluation benchmarks. 

• Serve as external representatives of USRowing’s High Performance Pathways, promoting the long-term athlete development model and commitment to raising competitive standards. 

Required Qualifications:

• Extensive experience coaching at the high-performance level, with a proven record of developing athletes who have competed at the U19 and/or U23 World Rowing Championships or other international competitions. 

• Demonstrated success contributing to high-performance team environments, including collaboration with national team staff and familiarity with international competitive standards and expectations. 

• Deep understanding of long-term athlete development (LTAD) and the progression from youth and collegiate rowing to senior international performance. 

• Strong technical evaluation skills, with the ability to accurately assess athletic potential through on-water observation and objective performance data. 

• Established professional relationships within the domestic and international rowing community, with the credibility to engage effectively with top coaches and programs. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to represent USRowing while maintaining collaborative relationships with athletes, coaches, and stakeholders. 

• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and deliver high-quality scouting reports and recommendations while balancing this role alongside other coaching responsibilities. 

• Proficiency with performance tracking tools, athlete data systems, and remote reporting processes preferred. 

Contract Terms:

• This is a fixed-term independent contractor engagement, not an employment relationship. 

• Contractors will: 

• • Set their own schedules and methods for performing the work. 

• • Be free to offer similar services to other clients. 

• • Contractors will collaborate and consult regularly with the Head Coach of High Performance Pathways to ensure alignment and integration with the broader USRowing system. 

• • USRowing will cover pre-approved travel and work-related expenses. 

• • Compensation will be paid on a per-contract basis, commensurate with experience and deliverables. 

• • This role does not include employee benefits or access to internal employer policies.

Salary Range: $30-50,000

USRowing Values:  

USRowing is committed to the following values to fulfill its mission and achieve its priorities: