Position Summary

Join a dynamic team committed to excellence in student-athlete health and performance.

Under the general supervision of the Senior Associate Athletic Director of Athletic Medicine, the Associate Athletic Trainer plays a vital role in delivering comprehensive athletic training services to student-athletes, with a primary lead role and focus on the sport of football. This position requires advanced clinical expertise and leadership in managing injury prevention, rehabilitation, and emergency care for a high-impact, high-performance athletic environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide daily athletic training services to student-athletes, including injury prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation.
• Develop and implement individualized recovery programs for acute and chronic injuries.
• Communicate effectively with coaching staff regarding injury status, treatment plans, and return-to-play timelines.
• Advise student-athletes on maintaining peak physical condition and minimizing injury risk.
• Lead and mentor two Assistant Athletic Trainers assigned to the football program.
• Collaborate with a team of five athletic trainers serving approximately 115 football student-athletes.
• Ensure safe and efficient care in a fast-paced, high-collision sport environment.

Why You Should Apply:

• Opportunity to work with a premier collegiate football program.
• Lead and mentor a team of dedicated professionals.
• Engage in complex clinical care and rehabilitation strategies.
• Collaborate with experienced coaches and medical staff.
• Advance your career in a high-impact, high-reward setting.

Apply now to be part of a team that champions student-athlete health, performance, and success.

Position Information

• This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, temporary position with an anticipated end date of June 30, 2026, with the possibility of reappointment. 
• This position is designated exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs. (Ability to travel to away contests)
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

The Department of Athletics, utilizing the services of over 150 employees, is responsible for the intercollegiate athletics program at San Diego State University. Currently, there are 18 sport programs, approximately 550 student-athletes, and 17 offices in the department. The offices include the following: The Aztec Club, Administration, Athletic Medicine, Business Office, Compliance, Corporate Sales, Development, Equipment, Event Management/Facilities and Operations, Human Resources, Information Technology, Marketing, Media Relations, Strength and Conditioning, Student-Athlete Academic Support Services, Ticket Office, and Video.

For more information regarding the Department of Athletics, click here.

Education and Experience

Equivalent to bachelor’s degree in athletic training, physical education, kinesiology or related field of study or combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge and abilities. Course work must include completion of the Board of Certification (BOC) curriculum requirements.

Key Qualifications

• Current knowledge of medical supply vendors, quality, and costs. 
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with student-athletes, coaching staff, medical providers, parents, and administrative staff.  
• Must possess strong interpersonal and communications skills to develop effective working relationships with athletes and serve as a liaison among athletes, coaching staff, parents, physicians, and other health professionals.
• Experience with football and/or contact sports at collegiate, international, and/or professional team level as a certified Athletic Trainer for two to five years beyond Bachelor’s degree, which may include a graduate assistantship.
• Master’s degree in sports-medicine related area is preferred. Additional credentials of advance study in an athletic training related subject matter. Examples are functional evaluation/rehabilitation, instrumented or manual soft tissue mobilization, Kinesiotape, etc.
• Prior experience performing inventory, budget, and insurance duties in a sports medicine environment.

Licenses/Certifications Required

• Current knowledge of medical supply vendors, quality, and costs. 
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with student-athletes, coaching staff, medical providers, parents, and administrative staff.  
• Must possess strong interpersonal and communications skills to develop effective working relationships with athletes and serve as a liaison among athletes, coaching staff, parents, physicians, and other health professionals.
• Experience with football and/or contact sports at collegiate, international, and/or professional team level as a certified Athletic Trainer for two to five years beyond Bachelor’s degree, which may include a graduate assistantship.
• Master’s degree in sports-medicine related area is preferred. Additional credentials of advance study in an athletic training related subject matter. Examples are functional evaluation/rehabilitation, instrumented or manual soft tissue mobilization, Kinesiotape, etc.
• Prior experience performing inventory, budget, and insurance duties in a sports medicine environment.

Compensation and Benefits

San Diego State University offers competitive compensation, and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

Compensation:
 Salary is based on your experience, education, and qualifications, within the department’s budget and equity guidelines.

• CSU Classification Salary Range: $4,584 - $8,884/month; hiring salary not expected to exceed $6,854/month.

Full Benefits Package Includes:

• Generous Time Off: 15 paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Retirement: CalPERS pension plan with retiree healthcare, and reciprocal agreements with other California public retirement systems, including the UC.
• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision options at low or no cost.
• Education Support: CSU tuition fee waiver for employees and eligible dependents.
• Optional Offerings: FlexCash, life and disability insurance, legal and pet plans.
• Campus & Community: Access to the library, campus events, employee groups, and volunteer and social activities.

Our benefits are a significant part of total compensation. Learn more at the SDSU Benefits Overview.

SDSU Values

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment. We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university. 

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another. 

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. SDSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices. 

SDSU is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Apply by August 20, 2025 to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. 

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. 

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Pang Thao at pythao@sdsu.edu.