Athlete Engagement & Development Specialist

Description

Are you mission-driven and passionate about helping others succeed?

Do you strive to lead, follow, and act with integrity?

Are you the one who honors your commitments?

Is building trusting relationships an integral part of why you do what you do?

Do you push limits and challenge the status quo?

If you answered YES, keep reading to discover how you can significantly contribute to Team USA's success!

The Athlete Engagement & Development Specialist role is unique in its focus on creating a supportive community that champions diversity and promotes the well-being of athletes. This position is the primary liaison between Olympic & Paralympic Training Center (OPTC) residents and long-term athletes and is responsible for developing meaningful relationships with athletes, implementing on-site curriculum, integrating USOPC department partnerships within the OPTC experience, community service and outreach programs, speaking engagement requests, and working intently to identify concern areas for athletes as they arise. As the on-site contact for OPTC departments (security, FMD, Operations, Housing, Sports Medicine, etc.), the Specialist determines the best course of action in an emergency, athlete safety situation, or welfare need. This position requires the individual to live on-site, with a furnished apartment and meal plan. Family members and/or other guests are prohibited from living on-site with the individual in this role. 

• Operations & Programing
  • Provide holistic support to athletes, supporting their personal and lifestyle needs while promoting and encouraging activity and development that allows them to continue to grow as people and athletes. Proactively help plan for transition from elite level sport.
  • Create an athlete-focused, safe, and positive culture of support for the athletes staying at the LPOPTC, by serving as a professional role model for athletes, coaches, and staff, and setting a high standard for athlete life on campus.
  • As the first point of contact, critically assess the athlete base to determine the need for community service programming. Build and maintain relationships within the Lake Placid community or with USOPC departments to develop community programming that facilitates a quality experience for athletes. 
  • Plan and execute social events and activities for resident athletes, including on-site and off-site activities. Oversee athlete outings as requested or needed. Ensure athletes are transported to off-site activities safely and promptly and serve as a chaperone for off-site events.
  • Develop and manage athlete appearances for requested events hosted by Marketing, Events & Logistics, Development, or the Lake Placid community. Coordinate on-site interviews under USOPC guidelines. Provide orientation for residence and short-term programs.
  • Manage immediate needs in dorm-related emergencies and determine the best course of action on a case-by-case basis. Responsible for after-hours, evening, or weekend needs or requests that require immediate attention. Work closely with the LPOPTC Director, Operations staff, Sports Medicine, Facilities, and Security departments to mitigate and resolve any personal, medical, or facility emergency. Coordinate the follow-up process to facilitate after-action reports and stay connected through the final resolution of the emergency. Make decisions and manage high-stress incidents as they relate to athlete safety.
  • Review and enforce departmental policies, procedures, and athlete/user code of conduct. Handle disciplinary violations that do not result in removal from the OPTC. Respond to emergency/crisis situations.
  • Perform regularly scheduled dormitory checks in the residence hall. Conduct additional dorm checks for short-term dorm areas. Track all findings via notes and photos and report findings to Operations/supervisor. Communicate with athletes regarding any dorm violations. As needed, participate in meetings with athletes and/or NGB regarding disciplinary actions.
  • Serve as the liaison for storylines that are requested by USOPC Marketing & Communications departments to further the online exposure of the LPOPTC and its guests.
  • Follow all SafeSport policies and procedures to create a safe environment for athletes. Serve as the liaison between athletes and their NGBs or between athletes and the USOPC Sport Performance department to address any athlete concerns.
  • Serve in rotation as the on-call contact after hours for any athlete concerns or issues.
  • Monitor and track all SafeSport completion dates for resident athletes to ensure active status within SafeSport. Serve as the liaison between athletes and their NGBs to renew SafeSport training.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for all resident athletes and disseminate essential information (e.g., holiday hours, scheduled maintenance, programming initiatives).
• Financials
  • Manage the program budget operations, working closely with USOPC Finance. Track revenue and spending rates, map against budget projections, and propose updates and revisions where appropriate.

• Bachelor's degree in College Student Development, Higher Education, or Sport Management or equivalent work experience
• 2 years of professional experience in a sports organization or collegiate environment
• Experience developing and implementing programming initiatives and/or residential curriculums
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Experience working with athletes, coaches, or volunteers
• Ability to prioritize work projects when dealing with several different sports at one time
• Strong interpersonal relations skills, sound judgment, professional demeanor, and patience
• Computer skills required: word processing, Microsoft Windows, database management, and electronic mail
• Ability to work independently and exercise discretion, making decisions within USOPC guidelines that benefit the athlete base
• Ability to effectively manage confidential information in a professional manner
• Ability to make decisions and manage high-stress situations

• CPR and First Aid certification (or ability to obtain once hired)

• Standard office equipment
• Office environment in a multi-story building on a multi-building site
• Non-traditional working hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call rotations as needed
• On-site housing & meals provided
• Regular attendance at work is an essential job function

• This hub-based role will regularly work from the Lake Placid Olympic & Paralympic Training Center.

• Hiring Pay Range: $55,000 - $60,000 per year.
• This full-time, exempt position is intended to work 40 hours per week.
• Bonus: This position will be eligible for the Annual Incentive Award Program, which has a 10% target. The USOPC may change or eliminate this program at any time at its sole discretion.
• Benefits: This position will be eligible for USOPC benefits. You can view a summary here.