Minor League Dietitian Apprentice

Department: Player Care and Performance

Reports to: MiLB Nutrition Coordinator

Classification: Full-Time/Exempt/Temp

Summary/Objective:

The Houston Astros, LLC, are currently seeking a Minor League Dietitian Apprentice to join the Player Care & Performance (PC&P) at one of our minor league affiliates located in Sugar Land, TX, Corpus Christi, TX, Asheville, NC & Fayetteville, NC.

With support from the MiLB Nutrition Coordinator, this position will experience all aspects of the team’s performance nutrition including education, medical nutrition therapy, counseling, practice and competition fueling, coordinating catering, overseeing meals, working closely with the clubhouse staff and home food service supplier, if applicable, and assisting with operational and administrative tasks. The focus of the role is performance enhancement, and this person will form a strong collaborative relationship with other members of the PC&P department (sports medicine, strength and conditioning, mental health and performance, and nutrition). This position will report to the MiLB Nutrition Coordinator. This role is expected to report to West Palm Beach, FL for Spring Training, then travel with their affiliate team for all home and away series until the end of the team’s competitive season.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Performance Nutrition:

• Collaborate with the MiLB Nutrition Coordinator and members of the PC&P team to:
  • Conduct performance nutrition assessments, counsel and create nutritional plans to support energy balance and needs, and performance and body composition goals.
  • Provide medical nutrition therapy to those who may have special health care needs (e.g., food allergy and/or intolerances, vitamin/mineral depletion, gastrointestinal disturbances, bone mineral disturbances, disordered eating/eating disorders, those recovering from injury and/or illness) based on PC&P department protocols.
  • Evaluate nutrition-related laboratory values and supplement in accordance with PC&P department protocols.
  • Maintain documentation of nutrition assessments and nutrition services provided.
  • Conduct body composition assessments, interpret data and provide recommendations in alignment with current research and that encourages optimal athletic performance, health, and wellness.
  • Utilize data from sweat testing to provide hydration and recovery nutrition recommendations in accordance with PC&P department protocol.
  • Create and deliver nutrition education, including presentations during Spring Training and off-season program, and weekly “turf talks” during regular season.
  • Educate, evaluate, monitor, and advise athletes on dietary supplements, including their health and/or performance-promoting functions, dosing, and timing, supplement safety and risk considerations, and ensuring compliance with MLB policies.
• Attend team activities such as practices, lifts/conditioning/training, competitions, meetings, mealtimes, and other events where nutrition support is needed.
• Communicate regularly with PC&P staff regarding athlete care and provide referrals and necessary updates to all relevant PC&P staff members through PC&P meetings, via Slack, email, or Microsoft Teams.
• Support initiatives of PC&P department and assist with all aspects of nutrition including physical, mental, and health-related nutritional services to athletes.
• Execute the nutrition department’s vision and strategy to enhance player performance and well-being
• Serve as a reliable source and subject-matter expert for nutrition for athletes and staff, ensuring all content provided is in alignment with evidence-based research.
• Adhere to the organization’s policies and procedures as outlined in the Astros Handbook, PC&P Handbook, Medical Department Handbook, and direct communication from the Director of Player Care and Performance
• Other duties assigned by the Director of Player Care and Performance

Food Service:

• Manage nutrition fueling for home and away practices, lift, training sessions and competitions, including pre-, during, and post-game fuel and hydration.

• Includes menu selection, ordering and procuring meals, snacks, and fluids.

• Communicate regularly with food service suppliers, caterers, and vendors in efforts to strengthen relationships and provide greater resources and support to the athletes.
• Coordinate food offered in the clubhouse, bullpen, and dugout with clubhouse staff.
• Manage fueling station including but not limited to inventory, product ordering, fueling station aesthetics, and education.
• Follow and promote proper food safety and sanitation procedures.
• Educate athletes on food selection and preparation through counseling, presentations, grocery store tours and cooking demonstrations.
• Collaborate with the MiLB Nutrition Coordinator to:
• Manage the meal budget for the team including organizing, planning, forecasting, purchasing, and tracking expenses.
• Coordinate the development of menus and communicate the expectations, including food variety, quantity, and quality, with food service suppliers and/or caterers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.  

Professional Development:

• Maintain dietetic registration and continuing education requirements.
• Participate and present in monthly journal clubs with the nutrition team to discuss evidence-based findings and determine best practices.
• Stay abreast of current food, nutrition, and health issues and research related to sports nutrition.

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree
• Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) credential
• Texas or North Caroline state licensure (LD) (or required upon hire)
• 1 year of collegiate and/or professional sports experience
• First Aid/CPR certification

Preferred

• Master’s degree
• Working towards CSSD (Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics) credential
• Experience working in baseball
• Experience using applied sciences in the field of sports nutrition and dietetics
• Experience conducting research
• Fluent in Spanish

Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent communication, presentation, and counseling skills
• Strong interpersonal, time management, and organizational skills
• Self-motivation and ability to work independently
• Ability to handle a fast-paced, intensive work environment.
• Ability to identify, troubleshoot and resolve problems.
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Ability to accurately measure height, and body weight
• Ability to accurately assess and evaluate body composition and energy balance
• Knowledge of measurements of resting metabolic rate, energy expenditure, VO2max, and lactate threshold.
• Comprehensive knowledge and application of medical nutrition therapy, including interviewing, education techniques and appropriate recommendations.
• Knowledge of food service quality and safety procedures.

Work Environment

Position will work in an athletic training room, weight room, baseball complex, office and stadium environment.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.  The noise level is usually moderate but can be loud within the stadium environment. 

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This role routinely will be in an inside or outside type of environment for long periods of time.  This role will require the individual to be physically moving for long periods of time. This role will require the individual to lift and carry up to 25 pounds throughout the day.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Travel:

Required to travel to West Palm Beach, FL for Spring Training and with the affiliate team to all away series during the regular season and potential playoff games.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

EOE/M/F/Vet/Disability