Performance Coach

Eastern Mennonite University is a private Mennonite liberal arts university in Harrisonburg, Virginia known for academic excellence and affordability with a focus on service, social justice, and global engagement.  With more than 2000 students studying at our main campus in Harrisonburg, Virginia; at our Lancaster, Pennsylvania site; and online, EMU offers rigorous academic study at the undergraduate, graduate and seminary level.

EMU encourages students, faculty and staff to live their faith and values through service to others, peacemaking, cross-cultural engagement and sustainability.  EMU also offers our employees the opportunity to embrace the educational experience for themselves and their dependents through tuition discounts, a university benefit.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, EMU is committed to enhancing our community and encourages applications from qualified individuals with varied backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who would deepen the diversity of the University.

Job Summary:

The Head Strength & Conditioning Coach is responsible for working collaboratively to develop performance programming that supports athletic development and competitive success for student-athletes on and off the field of competition. Areas of performance enhancement include motivation, education, and guidance on proper nutrition, conditioning, resistance training, and mental health. This position also serves at the Director of the Fitness Center. 

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Work with head coaches to design and implement strength training and conditioning programs in-season, off-season, and pre-season for all collegiate male and female athletic programs in a manner that reflects research-driven practices and is geared toward specific sports.
• Assess student athletes and design programs accordingly.
• Work in cooperation with the athletic training staff to improve injury prevention and facilitate rehabilitation and strengthening of injured athletes.
• Develop systems for tracking athlete attendance and athlete progress in conjunction with sport coaches.
• Provide testing, training, and progress reports to coaches.
• Teach and demonstrate proper lifting techniques for various forms of strength training.
• Teach and demonstrate knowledge of speed, agility, and flexibility training.
• Teach and advise student-athletes on proper methods of rest and recovery.
• Provide basic nutritional guidelines as they pertain to athletic development and physical and mental well-being.
• Provide programming and support to help student-athletes manage emotions, challenge thinking patterns, improve relationship skills, and reduce stress and anxiety.
• Assist in development and implementation of human performance and wellness standards for the athletic department.
• Oversee daily maintenance and upkeep of strength training and fitness center facilities.
• Develop and implement Fitness Center policies and procedures.
• Manage Fitness Center usage and staff.
• Monitor student-athletes during workouts for signs of dehydration, excessive fatigue, and overstepping proven physical, mental, and emotional limitations of the student athlete.
• Ensure a safe and productive working environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities: 

• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate effectively and professionally with all constituencies of a diverse community.
• Demonstrated enhanced knowledge and teaching skills in analysis and techniques of strength training.
• Demonstrated experience in strength and conditioning programming for collegiate populations.
• Demonstrated human relation skills in interacting with student-athletes, university personnel, and members of the off-campus community.
• Ability to maintain confidential information.
• Ability to set goals, prioritize and organize job tasks and workload in order to meet deadlines, ability to complete work in a timely manner and communicate progress routinely with the Director of Athletic.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing fitness regimens.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills.
• Ability to use a PC and software such as, Windows, Microsoft Office and Google Suite. 
• Ability to operate commonly used office equipment such as a copy machine, fax, phone, etc.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with a wide variety of constituents.
• Ability to work early mornings, late evenings and weekend hours regularly in addition to regularly scheduled hours.
• Must be wiling to be certified in First Aid and CPR, as required by NCAA rules.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Human Performance, or similar discipline, and a minimum of 2 years professional experience with previous strength and conditioning coaching at the collegiate. Current NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) certification required.

Master’s degree preferred. Previous strength and conditioning coaching at the collegiate level preferred.   Knowledge of NCAA Division III rules and regulations preferred. 

 Physical Requirements: 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands and fingers to handle, or feel.   The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and climb or balance.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.  

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervises fitness center employees and student staff members.