Head Athletic Trainer

**FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY (FVSU), a state and land\-grant institution of the University System of Georgia, invites applications for the position of Head Athletic Trainer.** Fort Valley State University, the only 1890 land\-grant university in Georgia, is a comprehensive institution that provides an education to over 2,800 students including graduate students. The university is located in the town of Fort Valley in Peach County, the original site of the state's peach industry. Its 1,365\-acre (5\.52 km2\) campus is Georgia's second\-largest public university in area. Fort Valley State University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or marital or veteran status. **JOB SUMMARY:** The Head Athletic Trainer is responsible for the development, coordination, and administration of a comprehensive athletic training and sports medicine program. This position oversees the prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries for student\-athletes while ensuring compliance with all safety, medical, and regulatory standards. The Head Athletic Trainer serves as a key liaison among physicians, coaches, administrators, parents, and student\-athletes and provides leadership to athletic training personnel. **ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:** * Develops, implements, and evaluates injury prevention programs, including conditioning initiatives, safety inspections, and educational instruction. * Evaluates, treats, and rehabilitates athletic injuries and coordinates referrals to physicians and other medical professionals as needed. * Provides emergency care and ensures best practices for student\-athlete health and wellness. * Oversees the daily operation and maintenance of the athletic training room and equipment. * Schedules treatments, injury evaluations, and rehabilitation sessions. * Ensures facilities and equipment meet safety, medical, and regulatory standards. * Supervises, trains, and evaluates assistant athletic trainers and work\-study students. * Promotes professional development and adherence to professional and ethical standards. * Serves as the primary liaison between physicians, coaches, administrators, parents, insurance providers, and student\-athletes. * Communicates injury status, treatment plans, and return\-to\-play decisions in a timely and confidential manner. * Ensures safety factors for athletic practices and competitions, including identifying and eliminating potential hazards. * Develops and enforces emergency action plans and safety protocols. * Manages the athletic training budget and oversees expenditures. * Serves as the primary liaison with the athletics insurance provider, including claims coordination and documentation. * Assists with fundraising events and related initiatives as needed. **MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS** * Master's degree in athletic training, sports medicine, science, or a closely related field required. * Board of Certification (BOC) certification required. * Current CPR/First Aid and AED certifications required. * Must meet all certification, licensing, and registration requirements for the state of Georgia. * Verification of licensure from all states in which the candidate has previously held a license is required. * Prior experience in the development and management of a comprehensive sports medicine or athletic training program for a college or comparable institution. * Demonstrated knowledge of injury prevention, injury evaluation, injury management, treatment and rehabilitation, educational programming, and counseling for student\-athletes. **PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS** * CAATE certification ***USG Core Values Statement*** *The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8\.2\.18\.1\.2 and can be found on\-line at* https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/\#p8\.2\.18\_personnel\_conduct *Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6\.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on\-line at* *https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653**.*