GA Strength and Conditioning (Labor) - Athletics

Position Overview

This is a regular student labor position which serves as Graduate Assistant (GA) to the Athletics Department. This position requires heavy, physical and manual labor which may include moving equipment or furniture, working outside on grounds, and/or helping with preventative maintenance. Responsibilities include up to 25 hours per week reporting to the Strength and Conditioning Coach. Some working hours may fall on weekends or outside of normal business hours. Skills include highly motivated, creative with ideas for engaging athletes, confident and bold, eager to learn, independent/self-starter.

Hours per Week

• 10-25 hours per week.
• Working nights, weekends, and holidays is a possible function of this position.

College/Department Overview

The Athletics Department at the University of Central Oklahoma currently supports over 400 student athletes in 15 NCAA Division II sports including Football, Men's & Women's Basketball, Men's & Women's Golf, Baseball, Softball, Wrestling, Women's Track & Field (Indoor & Outdoor) and Cross Country, Women's Tennis, Women's Soccer, Women's Rowing and Women's Volleyball.

Department Specific Job Functions

The graduate assistant (labor) position will help the head strength & conditioning coach with implementing workouts, designing strength/conditioning programs, record keeping, and will help to maintain a professional atmosphere. The graduate assistant will also provide nutritional education, be a point of contact for coaching and athletic training staff to answer questions, be available to student-athletes to answer questions during training and practice and be innovative in developing processes to assist with things such as meal planning for preseason and in-season meals, creating/maintaining a fueling station for student-athletes, and conducting grocery store tours. The graduate assistant will assist with the daily functions of the Department of Athletics, be expected to have a basic knowledge of the NCAA compliance rules and will conduct other duties as assigned by the athletic administration staff.

Enrollment Requirements

Fall/Spring Semesters: All student employees must be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible to work any UCO student position. Half-time enrollment for fall/spring semesters is considered 5 hours for graduates and 6 hours for undergraduates. International students must be enrolled full-time to be eligible to work as a student employee. Full-time enrollment is 9 credit hours for graduates and 12 credit hours for undergraduates.

Summer Semester: Student employees working regular student positions must be enrolled in at least 3 credit hours to be eligible to work during the summer. Students not enrolled in summer classes must be enrolled in fall classes in order to work during the summer, but they (and the department) will be required to pay FICA taxes. Student employees working FWSP positions must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours (if undergraduate) or 5 credit hours (if graduate) in order to work during the summer in a Federal Work Study Program position.

Enrollment Exception: If the number of credit hours needed to graduate is less than the minimum number of hours required for student employment, the student must obtain a letter from their Academic Advisor (stating the number of hours needed to graduate and anticipated graduation date) and submit it to Human Resources. This pertains to both regular and Federal Work Study Program positions. Contact jobs@uco.edu for more information.

Qualifications/Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree and admittance into a master’s program at UCO.
• NCCA strength and conditioning coach certification.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite Programs.
• A valid driver's license is required. 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects and deadlines.
• Strong initiative to solve problems.
• Communicate and interact effectively, respectfully and appropriately with diverse populations in the Department, the University, and the community.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills with colleagues, student-athletes, coaches and administrators.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks in a high stress environment.
• Ability to gain and maintain working knowledge of university, MIAA, and NCAA DII rules and regulations.

Physical Demands

Reasonable accommodation, in accordance with ADA requirements, may be made upon request to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.