1

Athlete Development Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Participate in performance team meetings and collaborate on holistic athlete development plans. Infrastructure Development * Build and refine protocols, workflows, and emergency response plans for a ...

Head Athletic Trainer (1102)

Springfield, VA · On-site

$23.50 - $32/hr

Participate in performance team meetings and collaborate on holistic athlete development plans. Infrastructure Development * Build and refine protocols, workflows, and emergency response plans for a ...

Provides corrections and individualized feedback to support athlete development. Maintains a safe, organized training environment and proper equipment setup. Adapts instruction and lesson plans to ...

Ninja Coach

Crofton, MD · On-site

$15 - $20/hr

Provides corrections and individualized feedback to support athlete development. Maintains a safe, organized training environment and proper equipment setup. Adapts instruction and lesson plans to ...

This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about strength & conditioning, athlete development, and performance coaching . What You'll Do * Lead group training sessions for youth, adults, and ...

This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about strength & conditioning, athlete development, and performance coaching . What You'll Do * Lead group training sessions for youth, adults, and ...

This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about strength & conditioning, athlete development, and performance coaching . What You'll Do * Lead group training sessions for youth, adults, and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Athlete Development information

See Washington salary details

$32.8K

$60.5K

$91.7K

How much do athlete development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for athlete development in Washington is $60,501.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,100.00 and $68,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in athlete development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Athlete Development, you need a strong background in sports science, coaching, and performance analysis, often supported by relevant degrees and certifications such as CSCS or NASM. Familiarity with athlete management systems, video analysis tools, and training technology is typically required. Exceptional communication, leadership, and motivational skills help build trust and foster growth in athletes. These abilities ensure the effective development of athletic talent and holistic support for athletes’ performance and well-being.

How does an athlete development professional typically collaborate with coaches and support staff to enhance athlete performance?

Athlete Development professionals work closely with coaches, sports psychologists, nutritionists, and medical teams to create comprehensive plans tailored to each athlete's needs. They coordinate regular check-ins, assessments, and feedback sessions to monitor progress and address challenges. Collaboration ensures that all aspects of an athlete's physical, mental, and emotional development are supported, leading to well-rounded performance improvements. This multidisciplinary teamwork is essential for fostering a positive environment and helping athletes reach their full potential.

What is athlete development?

Athlete development refers to the process of nurturing and enhancing the skills, abilities, and overall well-being of athletes throughout different stages of their careers. This involves physical training, mental conditioning, skill acquisition, and personal growth, often guided by coaches, trainers, and support staff. The goal is to help athletes reach their full potential while maintaining long-term health and success in their chosen sport.

What is the difference between Athlete Development vs Sports Coach?

AspectAthlete DevelopmentSports Coach
CredentialsCertifications in sports science, strength & conditioning, or athletic trainingCoaching certifications, such as NSCAA, USCC, or sport-specific licenses
Work EnvironmentTraining facilities, gyms, sports academies, or schoolsSports fields, gyms, or indoor arenas
Employer & IndustrySports academies, universities, youth programsSchool teams, professional teams, community sports programs
Search & Comparison IntentFocus on athlete performance enhancement and training programsFocus on team strategy, game tactics, and direct coaching

While both roles aim to improve athletic performance, Athlete Development focuses on training programs, physical conditioning, and long-term athlete growth. Sports Coaches primarily direct team strategies, game tactics, and on-field instruction. The two roles often collaborate but serve different aspects of athletic success.

What is an athlete development specialist?

An athlete development specialist is a professional who designs training programs to improve athletes' physical performance, focusing on areas such as strength, speed, and agility. They often work with coaches and use tools like performance assessments and sport-specific drills to optimize athlete potential and reduce injury risk.
What are popular job titles related to Athlete Development jobs in Washington? For Athlete Development jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Athlete Development jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Athlete Development jobs in Washington are:
Infographic showing various Athlete Development job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,501 per year, or $29.1 per hour.

Head Athletic Trainer (1102)

The St. James

Springfield, VA

$23.50 - $32/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

About The St. James:

The St. James is the premier sports, wellness and active entertainment destination in the country, with 450,000 sq. ft. of developmental and competitive programs, teams and opportunities in more than 20 sports, and a wide range of premium fitness, wellness and entertainment experiences. 

About The St. James Performance Academy

The St. James Performance Academy (TSJ PA) is a premier holistic performance and education institution dedicated to developing the next generation of elite student-athletes. Combining rigorous college-preparatory academics, world-class athletic training, and a structured emphasis on executive functioning and life skills, TSJ PA equips students to thrive academically, athletically, and personally – preparing them for success in college, career, and beyond.

Description:

The Head Athletic Trainer will be responsible for overseeing injury prevention, evaluation, treatment, and return-to-play protocols for student-athletes across all sports programs. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in athletic training, a deep understanding of youth athlete development, and the ability to collaborate effectively with coaches, parents, medical providers, and internal performance staff.

Responsibilities:

Medical Oversight & Care

  • Serve as the lead healthcare provider for all student-athletes, ensuring high-quality, age-appropriate medical care.
  • Design, implement, and manage injury prevention programs, recovery protocols, and acute care standards.
  • Develop individualized return-to-play plans in collaboration with physicians, physical therapists, coaches, and performance staff.

Electronic Medical Records (EMR) & Compliance

  • Select, implement, and manage an EMR system for documentation of injuries, treatments, and progress tracking.
  • Ensure compliance with HIPAA and FERPA regulations and all relevant athletic healthcare standards.
  • Maintain up-to-date medical records and ensure accessibility to authorized personnel as needed.

Staff & Program Management

  • Build and lead a growing sports medicine team, including athletic trainers and interns.
  • Coordinate and provide on-site coverage for practices, games, and events as necessary.
  • Serve as the liaison with external healthcare providers, specialists, and hospitals.

Communication & Collaboration

  • Maintain consistent, proactive communication with coaches regarding student-athlete health, availability, and return-to-play timelines.
  • Educate student-athletes and families on injury management, health best practices, and performance recovery.
  • Participate in performance team meetings and collaborate on holistic athlete development plans.

Infrastructure Development

  • Build and refine protocols, workflows, and emergency response plans for a high-performance youth sports academy.
  • Ensure proper equipment, supplies, and facilities are in place to support safe and effective care delivery.
  • Contribute to the strategic vision for sports medicine at The St. James Performance Academy and implement scalable solutions as the Academy grows.

Qualifications:

  • BOC Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC)
  • Eligible for licensure as an Athletic Trainer in Virginia
  • Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training, Kinesiology, or a related field
  • Minimum 5 years of professional experience working in sports medicine, preferably in a youth, scholastic, or high-performance environment

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in Athletic Training, Exercise Science, or related field
  • Experience implementing or managing EMR systems (e.g., Healthy Roster, ATS, etc.)
  • CPR/AED and First Aid Instructor certification
  • Experience leading a multidisciplinary health or performance team

Schedule

  • The Head Athletic Trainer must be in-person on-site at The St. James Monday through Friday from 7:30-4:00pm during school days.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

For more information, please visit our website: http://www.thestjames.com

The St. James is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, expression or orientation, genetic information, national origin, age, disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position; however, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

No unsolicited agency referrals please.