Director of Sports Nutrition

University of Tulsa: Athletics

Tulsa, OK

POSTION SUMMARY

The Director of Sports Nutrition provides individual and group/team nutrition counseling and education to enhance the performance of competitive athletes, on-site and during travel. Primary responsibilities include counseling individuals and groups on daily nutrition for performance and health; translating the latest scientific evidence into practical sports nutrition recommendations; tracking and documenting outcomes of nutrition services, serving as a food and nutrition resource for coaches, athletic trainers and athletic performance staff; providing sports nutrition education for individual student-athletes and athletic teams, and maintaining professional competency and skills required for professional practice.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Individual Nutrition Counseling

Assess and analyze dietary practices, body composition, and energy balance (intake and expenditure) of athletes in the context of athletic performance and health
Counsel athletes on optimal nutrition for exercise training (match nutrition to training phases and goals), competition, recovery from exercise, weight management, hydration, immunity, disordered eating, travel, and supplementation
Counsel athletes on achieving and maintaining a level of body mass, body fat, and muscle mass that is consistent with good health and good performance
Provide personalized meal and snack plans to promote achieving short- and long-term goals for athletic performance and good health
Develop and counsel in hydration protocols
Address nutritional challenges to performance, such as food allergies, bone mineral disturbances, gastrointestinal disturbances, iron depletion, and iron-deficiency anemia
Provide medical nutrition therapy, as needed, to help manage or treat medical conditions
Counsel athletes on optimal nutrition for recovery from illness or injury
Coordinate nutritional care as a member of multidisciplinary sports medical/sports science teams
Liaison with in- and out-patient programs for conditions such as disordered eating
Evaluate nutritional supplements, including herbal supplements, for legality, safety, quality, and efficacy; monitors use of appropriate supplementation
Collaborate with the individual’s family, physician, coach, and other health professionals, as appropriate
Develop resources to support educational efforts
Educate in food selection (grocery store tours, food storage) and food preparation (cooking classes)
Document nutrition services provided and evaluate the effectiveness of nutrition strategies towards meeting desired outcomes using the Nutrition Care Process
Develop and oversee nutrition policies and procedures

Food Service and Menu Development

Coordinate/manage quantity food production and distribution such as developing and managing training table menus and catering
Coordinate nutrition for travel, for example, catering, hotels, airlines, competition, for individuals and teams
Develop and deliver nutrition education for food service personnel

Nutrition Education

Develop and deliver nutrition education presentations, demonstrations, or events on various topics related to nutrition for performance
Plan menus for training table and team travel
Recommend appropriate pre-, during, and post-exercise fluids and snacks for individual training, team practice, and competition
Provide individual nutrition counseling as needed
Serve as a nutrition resource for coaches, trainers and student-athletes

Professional Development

Maintain dietetic registration and continuing education requirements
Develop and implement an individualized portfolio plan for professional growth and development including participation in professional organizations and activities, workshops, seminars, and development programs
Stay abreast of current food, nutrition, and health issues and research related to sports nutrition

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Required Qualifications	Bachelor’s degree in clinical nutrition, food and nutrition, or related area, granted from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of two to three years of experience in nutrition counseling, preferably with emphasis on sports nutrition. Completion of a didactic program in dietetics and supervised practice program approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association. A strong interest in providing academic and personal support to student-athletes, excellent oral, written, and presentation skills, strong work ethic and self-starter, organizational skills and great attention to detail. As working in the field of student-athlete support services is not limited to the traditional work week, the candidate must be willing to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends. Certification/License: Registered Dietitian with active registration by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association; Certification/Licensure as required by state of practice
Preferred Qualifications	Master’s degree in nutrition or exercise physiology; Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD); previous experience working in a collegiate athletics environment
Physical Demands	Moderate

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in clinical nutrition, food and nutrition, or related area, granted from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of two to three years of experience in nutrition counseling, preferably with emphasis on sports nutrition. Completion of a didactic program in dietetics and supervised practice program approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association. A strong interest in providing academic and personal support to student-athletes, excellent oral, written, and presentation skills, strong work ethic and self-starter, organizational skills and great attention to detail. As working in the field of student-athlete support services is not limited to the traditional work week, the candidate must be willing to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends.

Certification/License: Registered Dietitian with active registration by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association; Certification/Licensure as required by state of practice

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in nutrition or exercise physiology; Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD); previous experience working in a collegiate athletics environment

Physical Demands

Moderate