Head Football Athletic Trainer

Special Information

• NAU is currently engaged in transitioning to a new employment category called  University Staff , which aligns the current  Classified Staff ,  Service Professional , and  Administrator  classifications into a single, unified employment group. As a result, while this position is currently classified as  Service Professional , effective  July 1, 2026 , this position will be automatically transitioned to the  University Staff  category. 
• This position is an on-site position which requires the incumbent to complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are rare.
• This position is posted as Head Football Athletic Trainer, which is a working title. The NAU system title for this position is Athletic Trainer, Lead.
• Driving a vehicle on behalf of the university is anticipated to be a regular part of this position. Arizona Administrative Code Fleet Safety Policy requires all employees who drive on university business become authorized by submitting Driver’s license information for driving record monitoring, and completion of training appropriate to the level of driving performed. The law applies to all faculty, staff, and students who drive personal or university-owned motorized vehicles for any business purpose. More information on the NAU Authorized Driver Policy can be found on the NAU website.

About the Department/College

The Northern Arizona University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics sponsors 15 men's and women's NCAA Division-I programs with more than 350 student-athlete participants. The university is a member of the Big Sky Conference for all sports with the exception of women's swimming and diving, which competes in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF).

About the Position

Special Information

• NAU is currently engaged in transitioning to a new employment category called  University Staff , which aligns the current  Classified Staff ,  Service Professional , and  Administrator  classifications into a single, unified employment group. As a result, while this position is currently classified as  Service Professional , effective  July 1, 2026 , this position will be automatically transitioned to the  University Staff  category. 
• This position is an on-site position which requires the incumbent to complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are rare.
• This position is posted as Head Football Athletic Trainer, which is a working title. The NAU system title for this position is Athletic Trainer, Lead.
• Driving a vehicle on behalf of the university is anticipated to be a regular part of this position. Arizona Administrative Code Fleet Safety Policy requires all employees who drive on university business become authorized by submitting Driver’s license information for driving record monitoring, and completion of training appropriate to the level of driving performed. The law applies to all faculty, staff, and students who drive personal or university-owned motorized vehicles for any business purpose. More information on the NAU Authorized Driver Policy can be found on the NAU website.

About the Department/College

The Northern Arizona University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics sponsors 15 men's and women's NCAA Division-I programs with more than 350 student-athlete participants. The university is a member of the Big Sky Conference for all sports with the exception of women's swimming and diving, which competes in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF).

About the Position

Oversees the healthcare and wellbeing of all student athletes. Creates budgets and schedules, oversees all insurance claims, and coordinates all healthcare-related experiences to ensure effectiveness within the department and to ensure safety of the student athlete.

Essential Physical Requirements

• Moderate physical activity.
• Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.

Responsibilities Include

70% - Clinical Care and Return-to-Play

• Provide comprehensive and coordinated healthcare services to all assigned student-athletes.
• Oversee and deliver injury and illness prevention, immediate care, and comprehensive rehabilitation programs for athletic injuries.
• Collaborate directly with athletic medicine physicians to integrate evidence-based rehabilitation strategies, ensuring the effective and safe return of student-athletes to full participation.
• Ensure ongoing patient supervision and strict compliance with treatment plans, expectations, and standing operating procedures, operating under the medical supervision of the Head Team Physician as required by the Arizona State Practice Act.
• Direct point of contact to Team Physician who gives clinical direction to all athletic trainers.
• Scheduling of team physician clinic and coordination of communication as directed by Team Physician.
• Serves as a point of contact for other Athletic Trainers by providing recommendations and assistance with immediate health care assessment of injuries and illnesses.
• Manages the coordination of all activities pertinent to health and wellbeing of the student athlete and is in close coordination with the strength and conditioning staff in designing and implementing safe and effective programs that enhance student athlete performance and minimize injury.
• Evaluates all sports related injuries; handles and oversees all insurance claims of the student athletes and rehabilitation of student athlete’s injuries as needed.
•  Refers to proper medical specialists under the direction of the Team Physician.
• Develops schedules for athletic training coverage during practices and competition.

15% - Collaboration and Administrative Duties

• Manage the athletic medicine team dedicated to the football program, providing operational oversight and administrative direction.
• Work collaboratively within the Athletic Medicine model with multidisciplinary professionals, including the Head Team Physician, Director of Sport Psychology, Sports Dietitian, Physical Therapists, and Strength & Conditioning Coaches, to ensure positive student-athlete experience and treatment outcomes while mitigating injury risk.
• Mentor designated members of the football athletic training staff.
• Maintain accurate medical records, manage supply inventories, and ensure fiscal responsibility related to student-athlete care.
• Manage administrative duties as assigned by the Senior Associate AD for Athletic Medicine and Sports Performance.

10% - Professional Development and Reporting

• Report directly to the Senior Associate AD for Athletic Medicine and Sports Performance.
• Serve as a preceptor for the NAU Master’s in Athletic Training Education Program, actively mentoring athletic training students.
• Actively participate as a member of the Sims-Treharne Collaborative Research Laboratory.
• Work effectively within a creative and collaborative team environment.
• Develops the procedures to ensure the maintenance of athletic training facilities and equipment and ensures they are met.
• Develops and recommends program policies and procedures to the athletic administration for implementation, ensuring compliance with provisions of the NCAA, OSHA, and HIPPA.

5% - Other

• Other duties as assigned. 
• May supervise individual contributor, student, or temporary employees.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate bachelor’s degree.
• 5 years of relevant experience.
• Certification through the National Athletic Trainer’s Association, Board of Certification.
• Certified in CPR and First Aid.
• Licensed or qualified to apply for licensure in the State of Arizona

*A combination of related education, experience, and training may be used as an equivalent to the above Minimum Qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or other terminal degree (Master’s, PhD, DPT, etc.).
• Specific experience working with NCAA Football and/or NFL Football. Experience with clinical research.
• Additional credentials such as FMS, SFMA, PES, CES, BFR, IASTM, Dry Needling, PRI, Physical Therapy, CSCS credentials or equivalent.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge of collegiate athletics and student-athlete demands, including NCAA rules.
• Knowledge of health insurance and billing.
• Knowledge of athletic training and conditioning programs and routines.
• Knowledge of CPR, first aid, and emergency procedures.
• Knowledge of budgeting and accounting principles.
• Demonstrates expert knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures; applies a broad perspective to improve existing procedures within the unit and, in some cases, the overall department.

Skills

• Coordination of activities, evaluating data and establishing priorities.
• Program development and execution; implementing new strategies and re-engineering operations and procedures.
• Records maintenance.
• Budget preparation and forecasting.

Abilities

• Expert problem-solving, organizational, and analytical capabilities.
• Flexible to changing schedules, and variations in day-to-day needs of the department.
• Reacts calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
• Communicates effectively.
• Exercises good judgment and professionalism in a fast-paced setting.
• Develops new procedures and policies to apply to complex issues; proactively recognizes business needs and impact of issue at hand; identifies and implements new, creative solutions (both short-term and long-term) that may extend beyond assigned job.
• Often has complete autonomy in decision making for daily activities; frequently has ability to implement new procedures at own discretion.

Compensation

Salary range begins at $67,714. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

Pre-Employment Check

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Also, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.

This position has been identified as a safety/security sensitive position. Therefore, per AZ Revised Statute, Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, employment history investigation, degree verification (in some cases) and fingerprinting. If you are applying for a job that requires a CDL, you will be required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and adhere to the clearinghouse requirements.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Fire and Security Report

Each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Immigration Support/Sponsorship

Northern Arizona University will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

Submit your Application

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by midnight of the application deadline.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, DR@nau.edu, or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

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