Assistant Director of Olympic Sports Performance Nutrition

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics, a Division I and Big Ten Conference Institution, is seeking an Assistant Director of Olympic Sports Performance Nutrition. This position will help engage, educate, and fuel various Olympic Sport student-athletes for performance nutrition fundamentals to facilitate behavior change and performance at their highest potential on and off the field of play. This position oversees all aspects of nutrition including fuel station and/or locker room management, practice and competition fueling, medical nutrition therapy and counseling, team education, performance meetings, student-athlete meals, and be a collaborator with all members of the sports performance team (i.e., nutrition staff, sports medicine, athletic performance, sports psychological services, campus dining, and sport team personnel. This position reports to the Assistant Athletic Director for Performance Nutrition Services. This position will play an integral role in providing evidenced-based nutrition, health, and wellness assistance to the Penn State Olympic Sport program(s) in concert with the philosophy, mission, and vision of the Penn State Performance Nutrition Department along with Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics

Responsibilities include:

Performance Nutrition & Individual Counseling

• Lead the completion of annual performance nutrition assessments, counsel and create nutrition plans to support performance and body composition goals.
• Lead the completion of body composition assessments, interpret data, and translate findings alongside the use of current research into practical insights for energy balance that encourages optimal athletic performance and wellness.
• Provide medical nutrition therapy to those who may have special health care needs (i.e., food allergy, gastrointestinal disturbances, bone mineral disturbances, disordered eating/eating disorders, vitamin/mineral depletion, dietary requirements, and those recovering from injury and/or illness based on Performance Nutrition Department Protocols.
• Evaluate nutrition related laboratory values and supplement in accordance with Performance Nutrition Protocols.
• Maintain documentation of nutrition services provided annually and evaluate the effectiveness of nutrition strategies towards meeting desired outcomes (i.e., organizational, and individual goals).
• Lead the completion of sweat testing annually (as needed), with periodic hydration testing, and provide hydration recommendations in accordance with Performance Nutrition Hydration Protocol.
• Assist the development and monitoring of departmental initiatives and protocols relating to nutrition operations for Penn State Olympic Sport Program(s).
• Create and deliver nutrition team education 4-6 times per year to student-athlete and provide department education to coaches and practitioners annually.
• Serve as a nutrition resource expert for coaches, sports performance team members, food service, along with other members of the program.
• Attend team activities such as practices, lifts/conditioning/training, competitions, meetings, and other program events where nutrition support is needed or as directed.
• Educate, evaluate, and advise on dietary supplements in accordance with the NCAA rules and regulations and the ICA drug testing policy.
• Support initiatives of the Performance Nutrition Department and assist with all aspects of nutrition including physical, mental, and health related nutrition services to student-athletes.
• Provide referrals and necessary updates to all relevant Sports Performance Staff members through performance team meetings and utilization of Microsoft teams.

Food Service and Menu Development

• Assist the coordination of nutrition fueling for home and away competitions:
  • Home: pre/during/post game fueling set-up (fuel and hydration).
  • Away: Assist with promoting performance-based food selections for pre/post game meals.
• Assist daily nutrition fueling and hydration for practice and lift training sessions.
• Educate regarding food selections and preparation through grocery store tours and cooking demonstrations.

Leadership

• Collaborate care with sports performance team members to enhance outcomes of student-athletes sport performance and overall health and well-being.
• Communicate regularly with food service, campus health, development and enrichment, and vendors in efforts to strengthen relationships and provide greater resources for the students.
• Management, supervision and mentorship of paid interns, dietetic interns, and PSU nutrition students.

Continuing Education

• Remain current with the latest performance nutrition scientific research and translating this to policy and practice.
• Maintain dietetic registration (RD and PA LD) with the completion of continuing education requirements.
• Strive to complete the CSSD.

Skills include:

• Strong interpersonal, time and priority management.
• Excellent Communication and organization skills.
• Ability to handle a fast-paced, intensive work environment.
• Ability to work as a team.
• Ability to prioritize and multi-task.
• Ability to operate a vehicle.
• Ability to lift greater than 20 pounds with or without accommodations and perform other physical labor tasks (pushing, pulling, stocking, loading etc.).
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve problems alone and in group settings.
• Ability to work independently, collaboratively, and proficiency in all aspects of the position.

Required Qualifications include:

• Requires a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree plus 1 years of related experience, additional experience and/or education and competencies are required for higher level jobs. Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food, Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Service, and Kinesiology or related field preferred.
• Must hold registration through Commission of Dietetic Registration (CDR), Please provide credentialing including CDR number.
• Able and willingness to work non-traditional workdays (i.e., early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays).
• At least 1 year experience working within athletics.

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to applicable background checks.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades is:

Salary Structure - additional information on Penn State's job and salary structure.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: