Sports Nutritionist
Hutchinson Gymnasium

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. 

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Sports Nutritionist

Job Profile Title

Nutritionist

Job Description Summary 

The Nutritionist provides nutrition related services to Division I student-athletes at University of Pennsylvania.

Job Description  

Part-time Team Nutritionist 

POSITION SUMMARY

The sports dietitian provides individual and group/team nutrition counseling and education to enhance the performance of University of Pennsylvania Division I student-athletes. 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, trainers, and parents; providing sports nutrition education for health/wellness programs, athletic teams, and community groups; and maintaining professional competency and skills required for professional practice.  

Essential Functions: 

Major Tasks and Responsibilities 

• Assesses and analyzes dietary practices, body composition, and energy balance (intake and expenditure) of athletes in the context of athletic performance and health.
• Counsels athletes on optimal performance nutrition to meet specific training phases and goals, including competition, recovery from exercise, weight management, hydration, and recovery from injury/illness.
• Develops and delivers nutrition education presentations, demonstrations, or events on various topics related to nutrition for performance.
• Serves as a nutrition resource for coaches, teachers, trainers, food service personnel, and parents.
• Proven ability to work independently in on an in person or virtual basis.
• Interface effectively with members of all coaching staffs, the strength and conditioning staff, the athletic medicine staff and related student-athlete service providers to ensure a collaborative and comprehensive approach to training, nutrition and recovery, as well as aiding in the treatment of diet and nutritional related medical issues. 
• Addresses nutritional challenges to performance and overall health and wellness, such as gastrointestinal disturbances, iron depletion/anemia, the Female and Male Athlete Triad, bone mineral disturbances, Celiac disease, food allergies/sensitivities, diabetes, etc.
• Ability to develop and counsel on hydration protocols.
• Evaluate nutritional quality of refueling stations and consult on best practices for performance fueling item selection.
• Conduct and analyze body composition assessments by utilizing and maintaining appropriate technology (i.e. Bod Pod).
• Develop online curriculum and content for delivering services in a virtual space 
• Educates and mentors dietetic interns and others as appropriate.
• Coordinate/manage quantity food production and distribution, such as menu development, catering, and meals and snacks during team travel as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned. 

Other Functions:  

Other functions are those major tasks and responsibilities that do not meet the essential function definition but should be listed in order of importance and time required. 

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 

• Bachelor’s degree in clinical nutrition, food and nutrition, or related area, granted from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university. Master Degree in Nutrition or related field strongly preferred.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in the field of collegiate sports nutrition, with 3-5 years of nutrition experience. 
• Must be a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), as well as a Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) in the state of Pennsylvania (or eligible). 
• Maintains dietetic registration and continuing education requirements.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 

• Board Certified as a Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD). 

Accountabilities: 

Supervision of: 

Performance Nutrition Interns 

Nutrition Assistant 

Student Staff 

Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent communication, presentation, and counseling skills.
• Knowledgeable and well-versed in utilizing social media platforms and as method for distributing nutrition content. 
• Ability to accurately assess body composition utilizing the Bod Pod body composition analysis system.
• Ability to accurately assess and evaluate energy balance.
• Knowledge of eating disorder/disordered eating signs and symptoms.
• Comprehensive knowledge and application of medical nutrition therapy, including interviewing and education techniques.
• Self-motivation and ability to work independently.
• Excellent time management, organizational, and record-keeping skills.
• Knowledge of complementary medicine, ergogenic aids, and nutritional supplements, including herbal supplements.
• Competence with nutrient analysis, word processing, and presentation software.
• Compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
• Knowledge of rules and regulations of athletic governing bodies: e.g., National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), regarding banned drugs and restricted substances.
• Knowledge of measurements of resting metabolic rate, energy expenditure, VO2max, and lactate threshold.
• Knowledge of food service quality and safety procedures.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Division of Recreation & Intercollegiate Athletics

Pay Range

$42,953.00 - $77,315.00

Affirmative Action Statement 
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements 
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.