Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) – Optimizing the Human Weapon System (OHWS) – Tulsa, OK

Reef Systems; Tulsa (OK); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Government / DoD seeks a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist to deliver spinal-health conditioning and injury‑prevention programs for fighter aircrew at the Tulsa base. The CSCS will integrate strength and conditioning with human performance goals, aligning with flight schedules and ensuring readiness and long‑term pilot health.

The role requires CSCS certification, 5+ years in tactical/high‑performance settings, and compliance with DoD privacy and security requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) in an accredited exercise science, health science, or physical education-related discipline.
• Must be a CSCS through NSCA. Maintenance of this certification is required.
• Current CPR/AED certification.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in tactical/elite/high-performance environments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive musculoskeletal and performance assessments for rated aircrew.
• Design individualized and group training programs focusing on spinal stabilization, neck and back strengthening, injury prevention, and operational performance.
• Provide pre-habilitation and injury prevention strategies to reduce risk of spinal injuries.
• Deliver training during pilot duty hours and ensure continuity of care with the same provider when possible.
• Provide post-flight recovery and remedial training addressing acute discomfort and fatigue.
• Maintain HIPAA-compliant EMR documentation and report to government POC as directed.
• Coordinate with PTs, athletic trainers, massage therapists, and squadron medical personnel.
• Adhere to AAAHC standards and maintain licensure and required annual training.

Skills

Strength & conditioning

Injury prevention

Human performance

Coordination with pilots

Education

Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

EMR software

Spinal-strength testing equipment

Job description

Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) – Optimizing the Human Weapon System (OHWS) – Tulsa, OK

• Tulsa, OK
• Government/Military

Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) – Optimizing the Human Weapon System (OHWS) – Tulsa, OK

Introduction & Background

The Optimizing Human Weapon System (OHWS) initiative supports fighter pilots who experience exceptionally high rates of spinal and musculoskeletal strain. Up to 85% of fighter aircrew report spine discomfort during their career, and neck pain has been identified as a significant factor impacting pilot performance and long‑term quality of life. OHWS provides a coordinated, multidisciplinary physical training and rehabilitation program designed to reduce injury frequency and severity, improve readiness, enhance pilot retention, and optimize human performance.

The CSCS plays a critical role in delivering specialized strength and conditioning services tailored to the unique spinal, neck, and operational demands of fighter aircrew.

Position Purpose

The CSCS provides expert physical training, injury‑prevention programming, spinal‑health conditioning, and post‑flight recovery services to rated fighter pilots. This role integrates strength and conditioning principles with human performance optimization to reduce injuries, enhance mission readiness, and support long‑term pilot health.

Place of Performance

• 138th Fighter Wing, Tulsa Air National Guard Base (TANGB)

Duty Hours & Schedule

Normal pilot duty hours (CSCS must align services to these windows):

• Mon–Thu: 6:45 AM – 5:30 PM
• Saturday (RSD): 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Sunday (RSD): 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM
• Night Flying Weeks: Hours fluctuate based on flying schedule; may extend to 10‑hour days and as late as 3:00 PM – 01:30 AM during summer months .
• Government will provide two weeks’ notice for schedule changes.

Recognized Holidays (No Services Performed)

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• President’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) in an accredited exercise science, health science, or physical education-related discipline.

Certification

• Must be a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Maintenance of this certification shall be an enduring element of the requirement.
• Current CPR/AED certification.

Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience providing strength and conditioning services in tactical, elite, or high‑performance environments (fighter aircrew, military, collegiate/professional athletics, or similar). Demonstrated sustained experience working with elite athlete populations is highly desired. Creditable specialized experience includes developing long and short-range planning and coordination of sport/mission specific performance programs resulting in attributable results with elite athletes (e.g., Division I collegiate, Olympic, professional level athletes or SOF - specific tactical professionals).

Compliance & Security Requirements

• Must complete:
  • NACI background investigation (required for healthcare workers with access to PII)
  • FBI fingerprint check for CAC issuance
  • Information Assurance (IA) Training annually
  • OPSEC Level I Training within 30 days of reporting and annually thereafter
  • AT Level I Antiterrorism Training within 30 days.
• Must comply with:
  • DoD privacy, PII protection, and HIPAA requirements
  • Installation access, fire, traffic, safety, and security regulations
  • COMSEC/IT security policies

Technical Requirements

• Ability to use HIPAA‑compliant EMR software for documentation and communication.
• Ability to operate specialized spinal‑strengthening and isometric testing equipment (neck and lower‑back machines preferred).

Key Duties & Responsibilities

1. Initial Assessment & Baseline Testing

• Conduct comprehensive musculoskeletal and performance assessments for all rated aircrew.
• Perform computerized isometric strength testing for spinal musculature using specialized equipment.

2. Strength & Conditioning Program Development

• Design individualized and group training programs focused on:
  1. Spinal stabilization
  2. Neck and back strengthening
  3. Injury prevention
  4. Operational performance enhancement
• Integrate conditioning with pilot flight schedules and mission demands.

3. Injury Prevention & Pre‑habilitation

• Provide pre‑hab services targeting high‑risk spinal and neck injury patterns.
• Implement ergonomic and movement‑pattern corrections to reduce injury likelihood.

4. On‑Base Training & Pilot Accessibility

• Deliver training during pilot duty hours and RSD weekends.
• Ensure consistent availability and continuity of care (government prefers same provider for each specialty) .

5. Post‑Flight Recovery & Remedial Training

• Provide post‑sortie treatments and corrective exercise sessions.
• Address acute discomfort, mobility limitations, and fatigue related to flight operations.

6. Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain EMR documentation in accordance with HIPAA and DoD privacy requirements.
• Submit required reports and data to the government POC as directed.

7. Collaboration & Communication

• Coordinate with Physical Therapists, Athletic Trainers, Massage Therapists, and squadron medical personnel.
• Participate in periodic progress meetings with the government POC and Contracting Officer.

8. Compliance & Professional Standards

• Adhere to AAAHC professional standards for ambulatory care services.
• Maintain licensure, certifications, and required annual training.

Contract Period of Performance

• Base Year: 12 months
• Option Years: Two additional 12‑month periods

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal CSCS is a mission‑driven human performance professional with experience supporting elite tactical populations. They excel at spinal‑health conditioning, thrive in dynamic military environments, and deliver measurable improvements in pilot readiness and injury reduction.