COMPANY BACKGROUND
The Houston Dynamo Football Club (HDFC) is a multi-faceted organization dedicated to inspiring and supporting soccer participation and growth in Houston, TX and beyond. The Club’s brands include men's and women's professional teams - the Houston Dynamo (MLS) and Houston Dash (NWSL), a development academy, Houston Dynamo Dash Charities, as well as Shell Energy Stadium and Houston Sports Park.
The Club has a rich history, including MLS Cup titles (2006, 2007) and in-season tournament championships for both the Dynamo (2018) and Dash (2020) and is focused on building toward the next championships, inspiring and uniting the city of Houston through the sport of soccer and community outreach, and creating the most inclusive sporting experience and diverse fan base in the city and state.
PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The Sports Dietitian provides individual and group/team nutrition counseling and education to enhance the performance of competitive athletes, on-site and during travel. 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 players, coaches, athletic trainers, and other members of the team staff; and maintaining professional competency and skills required for professional practice.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assess 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 nutrition for performance (match nutrition to training phases and goals), competition, recovery from exercise, weight management, hydration, immunity, disordered eating, travel, and supplementation.
- Counsels athletes on achieving and maintaining a level of body mass, body fat, and muscle mass that is consistent with good health and good performance.
- Provides personalized meal and snack plans to promote achieving short- and long-term goals for athletic performance and good health.
- Develops and counsels performance hydration protocols.
- Addresses nutritional challenges to performance, such as food allergies, bone mineral disturbances, gastrointestinal disturbances, iron depletion, and iron-deficiency anemia.
- Coordinates nutritional care as a member of multidisciplinary sports performance/medical/sports science teams.
- Evaluates nutritional supplements, including herbal supplements, for legality, safety, quality, and efficacy, monitors use of appropriate supplementation.
- Collaborates with the individual’s family, physician, coach, and other health professionals, as appropriate.
- Educates in food selection (grocery store tours, food storage) and food preparation (cooking classes).
- Develops and oversees nutrition policies, food service quality & safety procedures
- Food Service and Menu Development
- Coordinates nutrition for domestic and/or international travel for example catering, hotels, airlines, competition, for individuals and teams.
- Develops and delivers nutrition education presentations, demonstrations, or events on various topics related to nutrition for performance.
- Plans menus for training table and team travel.
- Recommends appropriate pre-, during, and post-exercise fluids and snacks for individual training, team practice, and competition.
- Provides individual nutrition counseling as needed.
- Serves as a nutrition resource for coaches, trainers, food service personnel, and other members of the staff.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree in clinical nutrition, food and nutrition, or related area, granted from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university. Master’s degree in nutrition or exercise physiology preferred. Completion of a didactic program in dietetics and supervised practice program approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Minimum of 2 years’ experience in nutrition counseling, preferably with emphasis on sports nutrition.
- Certification/License: Registered Dietitian with active registration by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association; Certification/Licensure as required by state of practice. Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) within 6 months preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND OTHER ATTRIBUTES
- Possess excellent communication, organization, and time management skills.
- Ability to clearly communicate nutritional plan and program.
- Ability to solve problems in stressful environments.
- Self-motivated and ability to work independently as well as the ability to collaborate with various stakeholders and work within a team.
- Knowledge of eating disorder/disordered eating signs and symptoms.
- Knowledge of complementary medicine, ergogenic aids, and nutritional supplements, including herbal supplements.
- Competence with nutrient analysis 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., U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), regarding banned drugs and restricted substances.
- Ability and willingness to periodically travel domestically and internationally.
- Fluency in Spanish preferred.
ORGANIZATIONAL CORE COMPETENCIES
- Accountable – Holds themselves (and when appropriate others) accountable for achieving goals and objectives.
- Collaborative – Works collaboratively with others to achieve organizational outcomes.
- Progressive – Open minded, accepting, creative, and innovative in approach.
- Values Driven – Being ethical in decision making and operating with professional integrity.
- Agile – Achieves personal and organizational success within a changing, dynamic and complex environment. Ability to handle ambiguity.
Diverse candidates of all backgrounds are welcome, and the Club seeks individuals passionate about sport, inspiring the city and devoted to the organization's growth. While duties and responsibilities vary across positions, we are seeking individuals who are accountable, collaborative, progressive, agile and ethical/values driven.
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
