Organization
The Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) is the multi-sport organization facilitating high performance sport development in Ontario, in partnership with Provincial and National Sport Organizations. The CSIO is a not-for-profit sport organization that supports high performance athletes and coaches in Ontario by delivering sport science, sport medicine and high performance pathways solutions, support and education.
Position Summary
The Sport Science Advisor will assist Provincial Sport Organizations (PSOs) in developing Performance Sciences, Research, and Innovation (PSRI) plans that align with National Sport Organizations (NSOs). The aim is to create data-driven, evidence-based Podium Pathways to increase the number of Ontario athletes on Olympic and Paralympic podiums.
The Sport Science Advisor will collaborate with PSOs to ensure PSRI plans are age and stage appropriate, support gap analyses on PSRI programs, and aid in coach and technical leader development. The advisor will also build strong relationships with key stakeholders, enhance knowledge of PSRI interventions and their impact on performance outcomes, and ensure safe, inclusive, and high-quality Daily Training Environments (DTE) through regular visits to sports camps, competitions, and DTEs.
The Sport Science Advisor actively cultivates strong partnerships within the Canadian Sport System. Collaborators include the Provincial and National Sport Organizations, the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN) and Own the Podium (OTP).
Working closely with the Performance Pathways and Performance Services teams, the Advisor ensures seamless integration and delivery of Sport Science and Sport Medicine support for all targeted sports.
Responsibilities
- Work in collaboration with CSIO’s Performance Pathway Advisors to ensure that targeted sports have an optimal, integrated Performance Sciences, Research and Innovation plan.
- Provide feedback on the impact of the Performance Sciences Research and Innovation investment, as well as recommendations to enhance Ontario based athlete and coach development pathways.
- Collaborate with Performance Services Managers to understand the scope of services, and best practices the Performance Services Team can support.
- Identify and recommend suitable practitioners for service requests to the Performance Services Management team.
- Where appropriate, identify and deploy Contract practitioners for service requests.
- Collaborate with the Coordinator, Performance and Health Services to operationalize PSRI requests.
- In collaboration with the Performance Services department, optimize CSIO’s service request process.
- Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to building relationships within CSIO, key sport system stakeholders, and PSO / NSO representatives.
- Liaise with the Director, Performance Pathways and Manager, High Performance Education to link professional development initiatives to sport system needs.
- Support the delivery of professional development initiatives such as Advanced Coaching Diploma and Elevating Performance Series.
Core Competencies:
- Possesses first-hand knowledge and understanding of Summer and/or Winter Olympic and/or Paralympic sports at a provincial and/or national level within the Canadian High Performance Sport System.
- Understands the importance of High Performance Athlete Pathways, Athlete Development Matrices, Gold Medal Profiles, Winning Styles of Play, Strategic/High Performance Planning, Gap Analysis processes, and the underpinning requirements to achieve National and International Podium Performances and National Team selection.
- Behaves in a safe, inclusive, and professional manner, maintaining consistency in words and actions by honouring commitments, aligned with the vision, mission, and values of CSIO.
- Continually makes efforts to understand the needs of assigned PSOs in an inclusive, collaborative, and adaptable manner.
- Demonstrates a strong ability to work as part of a team, fostering and maintaining professional relationships.
Position Links and Dimensions
- Director, Performance Pathways and the Performance Pathways Team
- Director, Performance Services and the Performance Services Team
- Corporate Services Team
- Provincial and National Sport Organizations
- Works with staff, partners, and sports groups on projects as directed
Qualifications, Skills and Abilities
- Graduate degree and/or post-graduate training and certification in specific sport discipline.
- Attained Sport Scientist Canada High Performance Certification at the Practitioner, Senior or Leader level.
- Experienced practitioner with a minimum 8+ years of experience in a high performance, inter-disciplinary environment.
- A verifiable record in the provision of support to athletes and coaches that have had success at the international level.
- Experience contributing to or leading Training Plan development for elite athletes.
- Project management experience
- Inquisitive personality, with strong empathetic listening skills, solution-oriented mindset, with robust problem-solving abilities and analytical skills.
- Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
- Possess a high level of personal initiative and autonomy.
- Strong computer skills and knowledge of the MS Office Suite required.