Mental Performance Coach (Intern)

Chicago Fire Football Club is a Major League Soccer team that was founded in 1997. The Club returned to Soldier Field as well as opened a new 50,000 square foot business office in the heart of the city. With tremendous growth and expansion, the Club is laying the foundation for an ambitious vision that will transform the Club in the coming years.

Position Overview

Chicago Fire Football Club (CFFC) is seeking a highly motivated and responsible individual to deliver and/or devise mental performance training across the u13, u14, and u15 Academy teams for the 2024-2025 season, which will run from August through June.

The intern must be a role model to players and work collaboratively with staff. The person must embody the vision, mission, and core values of the Chicago Fire Football Club and needs to be adaptable and organized to effectively execute daily/weekly/monthly job tasks.

Job Responsibilities

• Work on mental performance development of Academy teams (focus on u13, u14, and u15):
• Administer and analyze mental performance assessments (i.e., ACSI 3x per year)
• Monitor players’ mental stress scores on ActionApps and follow up with players as needed
• Frequently conduct 1:1 sessions/checks in with High Potential Players or players identified by coach
• Lead application of periodized mental performance curriculum
• Meet with performance staff on a regular basis to discuss players’ return to play progress and provide support as needed
• Support technical staff in delivery of any relevant mental performance, culture, and character development
• Refer athlete to mental health practitioner if athlete presents clinical issues that are outside of scope of competency
• Work with technical staff to maximize impact of mental performance training on the field:
• Attend at least 2 days of u13, u14, and u15 practices to observe and evaluate implementation of strategies/topic of the week
• Attend home/away games (dependent on what schedule allows)
• Speak with players before, during, or after practices to check in/provide feedback on mental performance development
• Provide weekly updates to direct report on progress
  

Qualifications

• At least 1 year of football experience
• Must be currently pursuing or recently graduated with a post-graduate degree in sport psychology/counseling from accredited college or university
• Ability to work independently on projects and work efficiently and effectively in group settings
• Proficient using Microsoft suite
• Ability to work non-traditional hours, in non-traditional settings, including all home games (or other work events) that fall on nights, weekends, and/or holidays
• Must have reliable means of transport to commute throughout Chicagoland
  
  

Please Note

• Chicago Fire FC is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Our diversity initiatives start with the recruitment and selection process; therefore, we’d like to welcome all diverse candidates to apply to opportunities within our Club.
• CFFC is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and maintaining a workplace for employees and applicants for employment that is free from discrimination. The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, age, veteran or military status, disability, sexual orientation, sexual orientation or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.
• If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact the People and Culture Department at peopleandculture@chicagofirefc.com to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
  

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