Head Strength and Conditioning Coach

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 06-09-2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

At UC Santa Cruz, we strive to enrich the total educational experience by promoting physical activity, encouraging health and wellness, creating and shaping community, and cultivating direction. Through our diverse offerings in athletics, classes, workshops, outdoor trips, intramural sports leagues, tournaments, clubs, drop-in activities, and recreational facilities, we strive to provide opportunities for UCSC students, staff and faculty, retirees, alumni, and local community members to participate. As one of the largest student employers on campus, we also have many work-study and non-work student jobs in our facilities and programs. Our goal is to provide a wide variety of professional programs and physical activities that promote and enhance community, learning, motivational skills, lifelong wellness, and academic achievement.

Situated on 2,000 acres among the redwoods and overlooking the Monterey Bay, UC Santa Cruz serves nearly 18,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The Department of Athletics and Recreation is comprised of 15 varsity sports programs, competitive and recreational club sports, and recreational programming for the campus as well as the community.

More information can be found at https://goslugs.com

JOB SUMMARY

The Head Strength & Conditioning Coach will lead our strength and conditioning programming, provide leadership, instruction, guidance, and safety in strength and conditioning development for UCSC NCAA Varsity student-athletes, and the campus community through Physical Education and Recreation Courses throughout the year. The Head Strength and Conditioning Coach will work collaboratively with the athletic trainers, and head coaches to ensure that all programs are being created and maintained in a way that complements the specific training plans that each team has for their sport. The Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach will practically apply foundational knowledge to assess, motivate, educate, and train athletes for the primary goal of improving sport performance. They will conduct sport-specific testing sessions, design and implement safe and effective strength training and conditioning programs, and provide guidance for athletes in nutrition and injury prevention. The Strength & Conditioning Coach will recognize the area of expertise as separate and distinct from the medical, dietetic, athletic training, and sport coaching fields, and will consult with and refer athletes to these professionals when appropriate.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $65,000 - $70,000/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri, with occasional evenings and weekends
• Shift Includes: Day, Evenings, Weekend

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 004151 (ATH PROFL 4) - Grade 20

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

75% - Strength and Conditioning Coaching

• In coordination with individual head coaches, develops and implements strength and conditioning programs for all the varsity athletic teams.
• Creates and directs sport-specific training techniques, focusing on strength and speed, quickness, and agility workouts.
• Prepares effective performance plans for student-athletes, analyzes performance and improvement, develops and communicates adjustments of plans as needed, and ensures plans are consistent with the skills and abilities of student-athletics.
• Teaches technical aspects of strength & conditioning that may include techniques that are sport-specific or general in nature.
• Works extensively and mutually with the athletic training staff in athlete injury prevention and aids in the rehabilitation of injured athletes.
• Provides expertise, guidance, training, and oversight in strength and conditioning for fitness-related programming for the campus community/student population.
• Leads Physical Education courses and Recreational classes related to strength and conditioning for the UCSC Campus community.

15% - Equipment and Facility Management

• Collaborates with Athletics and Recreation Facilities and Operations staff, as well as A&R Recreational Programming Staff concerning maintenance and care of athletic and recreational facilities and varsity team equipment.
• Performs equipment maintenance and upkeep.
• Develops, implements and continuously reviews policies and procedures for the operation, scheduling, and use of the UCSC Multipurpose Room.
• Collaborates in the oversight, inventory, maintenance, and repair of all strength and conditioning equipment, which includes regular safety checks of all equipment within the Multipurpose Room, Fitness Center, Athletics Training Room, and other areas used for programing.
• Provides weight room and staff supervision.

10% - Department Administrative Support

• Provides supervision at athletic contests and facilities, and provides assistance with a variety of athletic related programs, projects, reports, etc.
• Assists with budgeting decisions that are consistent with the department's decision-making and planning priorities.
• Provides leadership for various internal/external operations, community partnerships, event coordination, and other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Advanced knowledge of strength and conditioning programming and national best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and work with frequent interruptions.
• Good organizational skills.
• Excellent written communication skills in the English language; ability to apply these skills in the relative environment.
• Excellent verbal communication skills in the English language; ability to apply these skills in the relative environment.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve.
• Proficiency in the use of technological applications relevant to job duties; including but not limited to Gmail, Calendar, Microsoft suite, Fusion, EMS, etc.
• Proven experience designing and implementing effective performance plans for student-athletes consistent with their skills and abilities, including analyzing performance metrics, identifying areas for improvement, developing tailored adjustments, and communicating strategies to support athletic and personal development.
• Experience working in collaboration with team members in the oversight, inventory, maintenance, and repair of strength and conditioning equipment and facility oversight.
• Experience working with head coaches to develop and implement strength and conditioning programs for varsity athletic teams.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• NSCA CSCS or CSCCa SCCC Certification.
• Must possess CPR/First Aid/AED Certification or have the ability to obtain it within 60-calendar days of hire.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• Ability to work in conditions of variable temperature/weather with possible exposure to strong, unpleasant odors, high levels of noise and vibrations, and exposure to dust and allergens.
• Ability to sustain exposure to dusty, noisy environments and inclement weather as necessary to carry out assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements necessary to move light to moderate objects up to 60 lbs., with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Clery Act: This position has been identified as a Campus Security Authority (CSA); required to report crimes, incidents, and disciplinary referral statistics as required by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 USC * 1092(f)).
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Ability to travel nationally.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information, and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.