Careers

Position Function:

Support the assessment and counseling of student-athletes on optimal nutritional practices for exercise training, competition, recovery from practice, recovery from injury and illness, weight management, hydration, and supplementation. This role works closely with the Assistant AD for Sports Nutrition and the Assistant Director of Olympic Sports Nutrition.

Salary Grade:  13

Please see Staff Compensation Structure for salary ranges. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

 Assess and counsel student-athletes on medical-related nutrition concerns utilizing appropriate Medical Nutrition Therapy techniques.
 Coordinate use of and administer body composition analysis systems, including in-house DEXA and BodPod.
 Coordinate management of student-athlete blood work and supplementation for nutrient deficiencies in coordination with team physicians and athletic trainers.
 Manage relevant nutrition app accounts and users.
 Provide sport- and gender-specific assessments, recommendations, and counseling regarding body composition and weight for optimal health and athletic performance.
 Communicate with coaches, strength and conditioning staff, athletic trainers, team physicians, counseling/sport psychology staff, and administration regarding sports nutrition and sports performance-related issues.
 Serve as an active member of an interdisciplinary, integrated performance team charged with screening, treatment, and prevention of disordered eating and eating disorders.
 Perform hydration testing with assigned teams; assess, plan, and develop hydration plans for individual student-athletes.
 Coordinate travel nutrition needs for assigned teams in collaboration with team director of operations.
 Actively participate in meal monitoring and plate-side nutrition education for student athletes at training table meals.
 Provide team-specific nutrition trainings and recommendations.
 Coordinate grocery tours and cooking demonstrations (in coordination with performance nutrition chef) to enhance a healthy understanding of and relationship with food.
 Meet with prospective student athletes as part of the recruiting process, as requested.
 Assist Director of Sports Nutrition and Director of Olympic Sports Nutrition in managing and educating sports dietitian fellow(s).
 Assist in development of nutrition education materials, social media posts, and on-site student-athlete dining education.
 Ability to present on performance nutrition related topics for a variety of groups both on- and off-campus.
 Maintain professional competency, skills, and continuing education required for professional practice.
 Maintain knowledge of and compliance with NCAA, SEC, and institutional rules as they relate to this position.
 Maintain knowledge of and compliance with the rules and regulations regarding banned drugs and restricted substances for additional athletic governing bodies: including the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Supervisory Responsibility
This position may have supervisory responsibilities for sports dietitian fellows, intermittent workers, dietetic interns, and student workers, as applicable and as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, exercise science, or related discipline with one (1) year of experience in administering a sports nutrition program in college or professional sports or in roles closely related to essential duties and responsibilities.

Certifications
Registered Dietitian (Commission on Dietetic Registration) and Licensure (State of Mississippi) required upon hire (or proof of application in process for Mississippi licensure).
Maintain yearly continuing education in the field of sports dietetics.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in Nutrition (or a related field), Registered Dietitian, and Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD). Previous experience working with collegiate and/or professional athletes. Experience in nutrition counseling and medical nutrition therapy, including counseling for eating disorders.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

- Excellent communication, presentation, and counseling skills.
- Self-motivation and ability to work independently.
- Excellent time management, organizational, and record-keeping skills.
- Ability to organize, prioritize, and perform multiple tasks with little or no supervision.
- Ability to work outside of normal work hours, including nights and weekends.
- Comprehensive knowledge and application of medical nutrition therapy, including interviewing and education techniques.
- Knowledge of eating disorders/disordered eating behaviors.
- Knowledge of complementary medicine, ergogenic aids, and nutritional supplements, including herbal supplements.
- Competence with nutrient analysis, word processing, and presentation software.
- Knowledge of food service quality and safety procedures.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

 Frequent external imposed deadlines set and revised beyond one’s control; interruptions influence priorities; difficult to anticipate nature or volume of work with certainty beyond a few days; meeting of deadlines and coordination of unrelated activities are key to position; involves conflict-resolution or similar interactions involving emotional issues or stress on a regular basis.
 Occasionally requires lifting, bending, or other physical exertion. Often, it involves exposure to one or more elements such as heat, cold, noise, dirt, chemicals, etc.
 Job frequently requires walking, standing, lifting, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, and handling objects with hands.
 Requires handling of heavy weight objects up to 100 lbs. on a regular basis and on occasion up to 150 lbs.
 Vision Requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.

Instructions for Applying:

Please attach your Resume and cover letter to the Application.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.