What are the responsibilities and job description for the Return to Play Specialist position at University of Arkansas?
Current University of Arkansas System employees, including student employees and graduate assistants, need to log in to Workday via MyApps.Microsoft.com, then access Find Jobs from the Workday search bar to view and apply for open positions.
Students at all University of Arkansas institutions will view open positions and apply within Workday by searching for “Find Jobs for Students.”
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville students will view open positions and apply within Workday by searching for “Find Student Jobs at UAF.”
All Job Postings will close at 12:01 a.m. CT on the specified Closing Date (if designated).
If you close the browser or exit your application prior to submitting, the application process will be saved as a draft. You will be able to access and complete the application through “My Draft Applications” located on your Candidate Home page.
Closing Date
12/23/2025
Type Of Position
Student Athlete Health and Wellness
Workstudy Position
No
Job Type
Regular
Work Shift
Sponsorship Available:
No
Institution Name
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation’s top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance the state and build a better world through education, research, and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, fostering a welcoming climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery, and the spread of new ideas and innovations.
The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation’s strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.
As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.
Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.
If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process, please submit a request via the Disability Accommodations | OEOC | University of Arkansas (uark.edu) : Request an Accommodation. Applicants are required to submit a request for each position of which they have applied.
For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at 479.575.5351.
Department
Weight Room Football
Department's Website
Summary of Job Duties:
The Return to Play Specialist is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing individualized return-to-play (RTP) programs for injured football student-athletes. This position plays a critical role in bridging the gap between sports medicine rehabilitation and full athletic performance, ensuring student-athletes safely and efficiently return to practice and competition. The role requires daily collaboration with athletic training, strength and conditioning, sport science, and football coaching staff to ensure alignment, accurate communication, and evidence-based decision-making throughout the RTP process.
Regular, reliable and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
Salary Information:
Commensurate with education and experience
Required Documents To Apply
Resume
Optional Documents
Proof of Veteran Status
Recruitment Contact Information
Krista Hoover, Senior HR Partner - Athletics, kristah@uark.edu, 479-575-4647
All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS
Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.
Special Instructions To Applicants
Pre-employment Screening Requirements:
Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry
The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.
The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds equal opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.
The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.
Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.
All Application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.
Constant Physical Activity
N/A
Frequent Physical Activity
Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Talking
Occasional Physical Activity
N/A
Benefits Eligible
Yes
Students at all University of Arkansas institutions will view open positions and apply within Workday by searching for “Find Jobs for Students.”
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville students will view open positions and apply within Workday by searching for “Find Student Jobs at UAF.”
All Job Postings will close at 12:01 a.m. CT on the specified Closing Date (if designated).
If you close the browser or exit your application prior to submitting, the application process will be saved as a draft. You will be able to access and complete the application through “My Draft Applications” located on your Candidate Home page.
Closing Date
12/23/2025
Type Of Position
Student Athlete Health and Wellness
Workstudy Position
No
Job Type
Regular
Work Shift
Sponsorship Available:
No
Institution Name
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation’s top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance the state and build a better world through education, research, and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, fostering a welcoming climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery, and the spread of new ideas and innovations.
The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation’s strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.
As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.
Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.
If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process, please submit a request via the Disability Accommodations | OEOC | University of Arkansas (uark.edu) : Request an Accommodation. Applicants are required to submit a request for each position of which they have applied.
For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at 479.575.5351.
Department
Weight Room Football
Department's Website
Summary of Job Duties:
The Return to Play Specialist is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing individualized return-to-play (RTP) programs for injured football student-athletes. This position plays a critical role in bridging the gap between sports medicine rehabilitation and full athletic performance, ensuring student-athletes safely and efficiently return to practice and competition. The role requires daily collaboration with athletic training, strength and conditioning, sport science, and football coaching staff to ensure alignment, accurate communication, and evidence-based decision-making throughout the RTP process.
Regular, reliable and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution of higher learning
- At least two years of prior experience within a collegiate football program at Division 1 level and/or NFL experience
- At least two years of experience coordinating or supporting return-to-play programming at the collegiate or professional level, preferably in football
- CSCS (NSCA) and/or SCCC (CSCCa) certification
- Advanced coursework or certification in sport science, performance rehabilitation, or load management
- Experience working with GPS systems and other athlete-monitoring technologies
- Extensive knowledge of football-specific movement patterns, positional demands, and common injury mechanisms
- Experience with objective testing batteries and data-driven decision making for RTP clearance
- Working knowledge of NCAA rules and Intercollegiate Athletics
- Knowledge of evidence-based return-to-play guidelines (NCAA, NFL, IOC, consensus statements)
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint skills
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work within a multidisciplinary performance team
- Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly translate complex medical and performance concepts to coaches and student-athletes
- Strong organizational and documentation skills
- Ability to develop, implement, and track individualized return-to-play progression plans
- Ability to collaborate effectively with athletic trainers, strength coaches, sport scientists, and football staff
Salary Information:
Commensurate with education and experience
Required Documents To Apply
Resume
Optional Documents
Proof of Veteran Status
Recruitment Contact Information
Krista Hoover, Senior HR Partner - Athletics, kristah@uark.edu, 479-575-4647
All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS
Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.
Special Instructions To Applicants
Pre-employment Screening Requirements:
Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry
The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.
The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds equal opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.
The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.
Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.
All Application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.
Constant Physical Activity
N/A
Frequent Physical Activity
Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Talking
Occasional Physical Activity
N/A
Benefits Eligible
Yes