Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Job Description Template | IUSCA IQF Level 4

May 11

3 min read

IQF Level 4 | Developmental Strength and Conditioning Role

This example Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach job description provides employers with a ready-to-use template for recruiting an early-career S&C practitioner who is progressing from supervised practice towards greater independent responsibility.

The role is typically aligned with IUSCA IQF Level 4 developmental practice. It is appropriate where a practitioner is moving from supervised delivery towards defined-scope independent practice, while continuing to receive structured mentoring, feedback and professional support.

Employers can adapt the template to their organisation, sport, athlete population and employment context, while ensuring that the responsibilities, qualification expectations, supervision and salary remain proportionate to the actual role.

Typical IQF Classification

IQF Level 4 developmental

This role is suitable for a practitioner moving from supervised practice towards defined-scope independent practice.

Associated IUSCA IQF Certification

IUSCA IQF Level 4 Practitioner

Recommended Advert Wording

Desirable: IUSCA IQF Level 4 Practitioner, or working towards this level, or equivalent recognised professional certification.

Where the role includes greater independent responsibility, this may be listed as essential.

Suggested Role Titles

Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach
Graduate Athletic Development Coach
Assistant Performance Coach
Graduate Strength and Conditioning Practitioner

Role Purpose

The Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach will support the planning, delivery, and evaluation of physical preparation services for assigned athletes or teams.

The role is designed to develop early-career practitioner competence through supervised responsibility, structured mentoring, and progressive exposure to programme design and applied decision-making.

The post holder will be expected to contribute to safe and effective training delivery, assist with athlete monitoring, and begin developing the ability to justify coaching decisions based on intended outcomes, athlete needs, and relevant evidence.

Reporting Line

The Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach may report to:

Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach
Head of Strength and Conditioning
Senior Strength and Conditioning Practitioner

Key Responsibilities

The post holder may be expected to:

Assist in the delivery of strength and conditioning sessions for assigned teams, athletes, or groups.
Plan selected session components under supervision.
Support programme implementation in line with agreed departmental plans.
Contribute to athlete testing, monitoring, and data collection.
Assist with exercise technique coaching and movement competency development.
Support return-to-training processes under the direction of senior staff.
Contribute to session review and programme evaluation.
Maintain accurate training records.
Communicate with coaches, athletes, and support staff within agreed boundaries.
Engage in regular mentoring, supervision, and professional development.
Demonstrate reflective practice and respond constructively to feedback.

Essential Criteria

Applicants should normally demonstrate:

Current enrolment on a relevant undergraduate degree, vocational qualification, or professional development pathway.
Developing applied knowledge of strength and conditioning.
Experience assisting or delivering in a supervised coaching environment.
Ability to deliver safe and effective coaching sessions.
Understanding of training principles, movement competency, and athlete development.
Professional communication skills.
Commitment to athlete welfare, safeguarding, and ethical practice.
Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary or coaching team.

Desirable Criteria

IUSCA IQF Level 4 Practitioner, or equivalent.
IUSCA IQF Level 2 Instructor, or equivalent.
Experience in academy, school, club, institute, or private-sector S&C.
First aid qualification.
Experience with basic performance testing and monitoring.
Evidence of reflective practice, CPD, or supervised professional development.

Supervision and Development Expectations

This role should include:

Regular supervision from a qualified practitioner.
Support with programme planning and review.
Opportunities to progress towards greater autonomy.
Feedback on coaching delivery, communication, and decision-making.
Defined boundaries for independent practice.
A development pathway towards IQF Level 4 Practitioner capability.

A graduate assistant role should provide meaningful development rather than simply assigning autonomous practitioner responsibilities to an early-career coach.

As capability develops, the practitioner may progressively take on greater responsibility for planning, delivery, monitoring and review. However, the boundaries of independent practice should remain clear, with appropriate senior support available for decisions beyond the practitioner's current scope.

Criteria Employers Should Normally Avoid

For this role type, employers should normally avoid requiring:

A full degree as essential unless the salary and responsibilities justify this.
Advanced certification as essential.
Extensive independent practitioner experience.
Responsibility for full programme design without appropriate support.
Management responsibility for other staff.

Using This Graduate Assistant S&C Job Description Template

Employers can adapt this template to reflect their own performance environment and organisational structure.

The defining feature of the role should be progressive professional development towards defined-scope independent practice. The practitioner may undertake meaningful coaching responsibilities and begin contributing to planning, monitoring and programme evaluation, but should continue to receive structured supervision and opportunities for feedback.

Where a position instead requires full independent programme design, autonomous decision-making, professional accountability for athlete outcomes or substantial interdisciplinary responsibility, employers should consider whether the role more appropriately aligns with a higher IQF level.

The wider IUSCA framework follows the principle that classification follows practice. Role level should therefore reflect what the practitioner is actually expected to do, decide and be accountable for rather than the job title alone.

View the IUSCA Job Board and employer resources: iusca.org/jobs