ATHLETIC TRAINER

Click on “Learn more about this agency” button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

The primary purpose of this position is: To serve as a fully licensed and Board of Certification (BOC) Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) supporting physical performance, readiness, and rehabilitation elements of the Integrated Operational Support programs directly supporting the Line of the Air Force mission assigned to Special Warfare Training Wing (SWTW) program. IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

• Utilizes a wide range of concepts, principles and methodologies of the therapeutic field to provide on/offsite emergency evaluations, examinations, diagnoses, prognoses, interventions, and outcome assessments of injured military personnel.
• Serves as the unit’s Athletic Trainer Subject Matter Expert (SME) on injury prevention and reconditioning techniques.
• Trains the trainers (cadre, human performance, and medical staff) on athletic training principles, concepts, and protocols.
• Provides clear, concise analyses of prevention and rehabilitation results through direct observations, interviews, surveys, and focused collection of athletic training performance metrics.

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions, General Health Science Series, 0601 + IOR.

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:

Bachelor’s or graduate/higher level degree: major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade (GS-09) or equivalent. Specialized experience must include: professional knowledge of principles and practices of health sciences (physiology, kinesiology, anatomy, biomechanics, pathology, rehabilitation, pharmacology); practical knowledge of nutrition and medical/surgical terminology and procedures; and specialized training in the techniques and methodologies of athletic training to provide the full range of athletic trainer patient care and education; knowledge of pertinent national, agency-level and local guidelines; sports medicine concepts; various therapeutic modalities; and tactical athletes; health and safety risk factors to provide an individualized approach in the prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries; conduct injury surveillance; determine functional limitations; accelerate return to duty; evaluate the program’s effectiveness; and make recommendations for program modification; knowledge of Special Operations organization, mission profiles, and specific job requirements sufficient to analyze elite warfighters; physical conditioning needs and tailor interventions and activities towards optimal health and wellness.

OR
EDUCATION: Successfully completed 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

OR
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Professional knowledge of musculoskeletal and systemic anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, psychology, pharmacology, pathology, as well as knowledge of emergency care procedures, human behavior theories, motivational strategies, and various therapeutic modalities ( e.g., electrical stimulation, iontophoresis, phonophoresis, cryotherapy, thermotherapies, therapeutic massage, manual therapies, exercise protocols, Kinesio taping, instrument assisted manual therapy techniques, dry needling and/or other approved modalities) sufficient to determine appropriate treatment, rehabilitation and/or reconditioning strategies.

2. Knowledge of military personnel and student physical requirements sufficient to develop, implement, manage, and evaluate a multi-faceted Athletic Trainer program for operational forces.

3. Knowledge of a wide variety of injuries and acute/subacute/chronic conditions caused by intense training and resulting impairments/functional limitations, common diseases, prognosis, medication, treatment methods, physiological response to injury and illness, disease response to exercise, and any medical terminology.

4. Skill in administering health screening and fitness assessments, exercise prescriptions, progressive individual physical activity programs, and proper exercise techniques.

5. Skill in fitting adaptive equipment, advanced orthoses and braces, prophylactic and protective equipment, and other assistive and therapeutic devices.

6. Skill in health communication strategies to effectively promote a comprehensive physical activity program as well as skill in verbal and written communication to consult with other health care providers, counsel athletes/patients, and serve as a consultant to leadership.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.