Strength Coach Internship

About The Fortis Academy

The Fortis Academy is a sports performance and athlete development organization committed to helping athletes grow physically, mentally, and personally.

We work with athletes ranging from developing youth competitors to high school, collegiate, and professional athletes. Through high-quality coaching, intentional relationships, and a culture built around excellence, leadership, and character, we aim to develop better movers, better competitors, and stronger people.

At Fortis, performance mattersbut the person matters more. We believe great coaching develops qualities that extend beyond athletics, including discipline, confidence, resilience, leadership, responsibility, and humility.

Internship Overview

We are seeking a Strength & Conditioning Coaching Intern who is passionate about working with athletes and developing as a coach. This part-time opportunity is designed for a current college student, recent graduate, or developing coach pursuing a career in strength and conditioning, sports performance, exercise science, or a related field.

Our structured onboarding combines online learning, in-person instruction, and hands-on shadowing to help you get up to speed quickly and build confidence on the training floor. Once you complete the onboarding requirements and earn your Fortis Level 1 Gym Certification, paid coaching begins at $25 per hour.

You will work alongside experienced Fortis coaches in individual, small-group, team, and camp settings, with coaching responsibilities expanding as your knowledge and abilities develop.

Onboarding and Certification

Our onboarding pathway provides a clear foundation for coaching at Fortis:

• Fortis Level 1 Gym Certification: Complete online and in-person classes covering Fortis coaching expectations, exercise technique, session delivery, and athlete development.

• Required Shadowing: Complete 20 hours of shadowing with experienced Fortis coaches before beginning paid coaching.

• Paid Coaching: Upon earning your certification and completing the required shadowing, begin coaching at $25 per hour.

Additional Certification Opportunities

Interns may also have opportunities to become certified in the Fortis Assisted Stretch Methodology. This additional pathway allows you to expand your skill set, learn Fortis’s approach to assisted stretching, and pursue further coaching and service opportunities within the organization.

Primary Responsibilities

• Assist with strength, speed, power, agility, mobility, and conditioning sessions

• Support individual, small-group, team, and camp training

• Teach and reinforce proper exercise technique and movement mechanics

• Provide athletes with clear instruction, encouragement, and constructive feedback

• Learn to modify exercises based on an athlete’s age, experience, movement ability, injury history, and goals

• Assist with athlete assessments, performance testing, and progress tracking

• Help prepare, organize, and maintain the training facility and equipment

• Develop positive, professional relationships with athletes and families

• Participate in onboarding, certification classes, staff education, meetings, and mentorship

• Represent The Fortis Academy professionally within the facility and athletic community

• Take on additional coaching responsibilities as certification requirements are completed and coaching skills develop

What We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate:

• Enjoys teaching, encouraging, and helping athletes improve

• Connects well with athletes of different ages, personalities, and ability levels

• Brings positive energy and remains actively engaged throughout each session

• Welcomes feedback and is motivated to grow as a coach

• Takes initiative and looks for ways to contribute

• Is dependable, professional, and prepared

• Is committed to completing the Fortis onboarding and certification process

• Understands the positive influence coaches can have on young athletes

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in exercise science, kinesiology, strength and conditioning, athletic training, physical education, or a related fieldor equivalent relevant coaching experience

• Foundational understanding of strength training and athletic development

• Interest in coaching youth and high school athletes

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Reliable, organized, professional, and punctual

• Availability during afternoon, evening, and weekend hours

• Current CPR/AED certification or willingness to obtain certification

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous coaching, training, or athletic experience

• Experience working with youth or high school athletes

• Familiarity with strength training, speed development, agility, mobility, and conditioning

• Pursuit of a CSCS, SCCC, NASM-PES, USAW, or another recognized strength and conditioning certification

• Interest in mobility, recovery, and assisted stretching

• Collegiate or professional athletic experience is a plus but is not required

Schedule and Work Environment

This is a part-time internship with coaching hours based on seasonal training schedules, team contracts, camps, and athlete programming.

Applicants must be available to work primarily during late afternoon, evening, and weekend hours.

This is an active coaching position requiring extended periods of standing, demonstrating exercises, moving equipment, and working throughout a sports performance facility.

Expected Hours: 5–20 hours per week, based on programming needs and availability

Compensation: $25 per hour for coaching after earning the Fortis Level 1 Gym Certification and completing the required 20 shadowing hours. The initial 20 shadowing hours are unpaid.

Internship Benefits

• Structured onboarding designed to help you get up to speed quickly

• Fortis Level 1 Gym Certification through online and in-person classes

• Direct mentorship and feedback from experienced Fortis coaches

• Hands-on coaching experience in a private sports performance facility

• Experience with athlete assessments, program implementation, and performance testing

• Opportunities to pursue certification in the Fortis Assisted Stretch Methodology

• Potential for expanded responsibilities and future employment based on performance and organizational needs

How to Apply

Please submit:

• Your rsum

• A brief cover letter explaining why you are interested in coaching at The Fortis Academy

• A summary of relevant coaching, athletic, or strength and conditioning experience

• Your educational background and current certifications

• Your general afternoon, evening, and weekend availability

We are especially interested in candidates who see coaching as more than a job and want to develop within an organization committed to improving athletic performance and positively influencing young people.

Job Type: Part-time internship
Pay: $25.00 per hour after certification and required shadowing
Expected Hours: 5–20 per week
Work Location: In person