Sports Performance Psychologist

Job Summary

The Human Performance Program is one of the four key domains of the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Preservation of the Force & Family initiative (POTFF). The Human Performance Program is designed to meet the unique physical needs of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) operators and support personnel. Conditioning is accomplished through a comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary “pre-habilitative” physical training program with focused strength and conditioning, performance nutrition, and physical therapy. The purpose of placing Human Performance Program Specialists on base is to reduce frequency and severity of injuries and time lost from service, improve long term quality of life, optimize human performance/readiness, avoid injury prior to occurrence, and accelerate the SOF Operator’s return to duty in peak physical condition following injury. The Human Performance Program will focus on the whole operator concept to not only assist Special Tactics (ST) operators in accomplishing their military missions in the short term, but also to emphasize the maintenance of peak performance over the long term in order to lengthen the service life of the "human weapon system” while ensuring high quality production.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Sports/Performance Psychology from an accredited educational institution.
• Valid state license to practice psychology and demonstrate a working knowledge of professional standards and ethics regarding the delivery of sports or performance psychology programs.
• Member in good standing of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Shall maintain certification as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) from the AASP. Prior experience working with physicians providing medical psychological services especially in military or elite athlete populations is preferred.
• Required to receive and maintain clinical practice privileges as either a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). Those personnel providing Sports Performance Psychology services shall maintain a BLS certification to be credentialed.
• Experience and training in the assessment and treatment of alcohol and substance abuse conditions, domestic violence, child abuse, post-traumatic stress, suicide intervention, mood and anxiety conditions, and family/marital issues.
• Minimum of three years of experience working with elite athletes within the military SOF community, NCAA, or professional sports.