HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER

POSITION SUMMARY

Monterey Bay FC is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Head Athletic Trainer to lead the day-to-day athletic training and medical operations for the club's first team.

The Head Athletic Trainer will serve as the primary medical resource for players and will oversee injury prevention, evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, and return-to-play processes. This position works closely with the Head Coach, coaching staff, Strength & Conditioning, performance staff, team physicians, physical therapists, and other medical providers to support player health, availability, and performance.

This is a full-time professional sports position requiring flexibility, discretion, strong communication, and the ability to work within the schedule of a professional soccer club.

The Head Athletic Trainer is required to travel with the team for all away matches and road trips.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Player Health & Medical Care

• Serve as the primary athletic trainer for the first-team roster.
• Evaluate, treat, rehabilitate, and manage athletic injuries and illnesses.
• Provide on-field emergency care and coordinate emergency medical services when necessary.
• Develop and oversee individualized rehabilitation and return-to-play programs in collaboration with medical and performance staff.
• Coordinate physician appointments, diagnostic testing, specialist referrals, and ongoing medical care.
• Implement injury-prevention, recovery, and player-health strategies.
• Maintain a professional, confidential, and trusted relationship with players.

Training & Match Coverage

• Provide medical coverage for all first-team training sessions, home matches, and away matches.
• Coordinate pre-training, post-training, pre-match, and post-match medical care.
• Prepare and maintain medical equipment and supplies for training, competition, and team travel.
• Develop and maintain appropriate emergency action plans.
• Travel with the team for all away matches, including preseason, regular season, and postseason competition.

Medical Records & Operations

• Maintain accurate and confidential player medical records and documentation.
• Document evaluations, treatments, injuries, rehabilitation, and return-to-play progress.
• Utilize the club's electronic medical and performance systems to maintain player health information.
• Maintain compliance with applicable USL, club, and professional medical requirements.
• Manage athletic training room operations, medical supplies, equipment, and inventory.
• Coordinate medical information and player availability with appropriate technical and performance staff.

Collaboration

• Work closely with the Head Coach, coaching staff, Strength & Conditioning, performance staff, team physicians, physical therapists, and outside medical providers.
• Communicate player health, availability, training modifications, and return-to-play status clearly and appropriately.
• Participate in a multidisciplinary approach to player health, performance, recovery, and injury prevention.
• Maintain current knowledge of evidence-based sports medicine and soccer-specific rehabilitation practices.

SCHEDULE & TRAVEL

The work schedule is dictated by the professional soccer calendar and will vary based on training, matches, travel, and player-care requirements.

The position generally works during daytime training hours during a typical training week; however, evenings, weekends, holidays, extended match-day hours, and travel are required. The Head Athletic Trainer must be available for all first-team training sessions and home matches and must travel with the team for all away matches and road trips.

Candidates should understand that professional soccer operates on a variable schedule rather than a traditional Monday-Friday, 9-to-5 schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Degree in Athletic Training or a related field from an accredited institution.
• 3+ years of experience working with professional, collegiate, elite, or high-performance athletes.
• Current BOC certification as an Athletic Trainer and in good standing.
• Current California Athletic Trainer licensure or eligibility for California licensure.
• Current CPR/AED and First Aid/BLS certification as applicable.
• Demonstrated experience providing athletic training services to competitive athletes.
• Strong knowledge of injury prevention, evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, emergency care, and return-to-play principles.
• Strong understanding of the physical and medical demands of professional soccer.
• Excellent communication, organization, interpersonal, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding player medical information.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively with a professional sports team.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours based on the team schedule.

Preferred

• Master's degree, Sports Medicine, Exercise Science, Physical Therapy, or a related field.
• Previous professional soccer or elite soccer athletic training experience.
• Experience working within a multidisciplinary professional sports performance environment.
• Knowledge of and prior hands-on experience using the Kitman Labs Intelligence Platform.
• Experience with electronic medical records and sports medicine technology.
• Experience with soccer-specific rehabilitation and return-to-performance programming.
• Familiarity with USL, MLS, or other professional soccer medical protocols.
• Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills.

PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• A player-first approach to health, safety, rehabilitation, and performance.
• Strong leadership and ownership of the club's athletic training operations.
• Excellent communication and collaboration across medical, technical, and performance departments.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Professionalism, discretion, integrity, and sound clinical judgment.
• Adaptability and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced professional sports environment.
• Commitment to evidence-based practice and continued professional development.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to stand, walk, run, bend, kneel, squat, and respond quickly to on-field medical situations; lift and transport medical equipment and supplies; work outdoors for extended periods; and perform the physical duties associated with professional soccer training, matches, and team travel.

COMPENSATION & APPLICATION

Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications, education, experience, and professional credentials.

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter outlining relevant professional experience, qualifications, and interest in joining Monterey Bay FC to [email protected]

Monterey Bay FC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.