Head Athletic Trainer

About Portland Fire

Professional women’s basketball is returning to Rip City. On September 18, 2024, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) awarded Portland its 15th franchise, bringing the league back to the city for the first time in over two decades. Owned and operated by the Bhathal family through RAJ Sports, the team will make its official debut in 2026 at the Moda Center.

Portland is cementing itself as the epicenter of women’s sports, powered by a passionate fan base and a rich basketball culture. At Portland Fire, we’re building more than a team, we’re creating a modern, inclusive, and community-driven organization from the ground up. With innovation, integrity, and excellence at our core, our mission is to set a new standard in women’s professional basketball—delivering excellence on the court, inspiring fans, and serving the city we call home.

As we prepare for our inaugural season, we’re looking for passionate, driven professionals to help shape the future of this franchise and the future of the game.

The Head Athletic Trainer is responsible for clinical leadership within the Portland Fire WNBA program through a modern, athlete‑centered and ecologically informed performance team model. This role integrates medical compliance with clinical excellence in injury evaluation and acute care. The ideal candidate brings leadership to the Athletic Trainer team and has strong communication skills with staff of varying backgrounds and nationalities.

The successful candidate will have a good understanding of the multidisciplinary approach to athlete preparation and care, and a strong background of delivering clinical excellence in female high‑performance sport environments.

• Player training and match preparation, including strapping and injury prevention.
• Match coverage, including injury first response and in‑arena medication compliance.
• Timely injury evaluation and acute care.
• Coordinate diagnostics, referrals, physician communication.
• Full EMR compliance and maintenance of daily injury status and Calendar entries.
• Under the guidance of an RTP Specialist and Primary Care Sports Physician, execute RTP directives in team training environments. Manage full compliance with WNBA rules, policies, and CBA requirements related to player health, including DFSI drug testing logistics and compliance.
• Enforce infection‑control, vaccination and respiratory illness management.
• Ensure adherence to league screening protocols, including concussion baseline screenings and cardiac screening.
• Manage athletic training operations, budget, equipment, and scheduling.
• Lead and manage the Assistant Athletic Trainer.

• BOC Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) in good standing, with at least three years of professional experience post BOC/NATA.
• Eligible for state licensure in Oregon.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in elite or professional sport.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex injuries and high‑pressure environments.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work within interdisciplinary teams.

• Experience in professional basketball (WNBA, NBA, G League, NCAA Division I).
• Understanding of female‑specific health demands in professional sport.
• Familiarity with ecological dynamics, constraints‑led coaching, or representative learning design.
• Experience collaborating within an integrated performance or high‑performance department.
• Master’s degree or higher in Athletic Training, Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine, or a related field.

• Athlete‑first, ethically grounded decision‑making.
• Systems thinker comfortable operating in complex, non‑linear environments.
• Strong leadership presence and calm under pressure.
• Open‑minded, reflective, and committed to continuous learning.

• Long and variable hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Frequent domestic travel during the WNBA season.
• Physically demanding role requiring on‑court coverage and hands‑on care.

• Competitive salary and performance‑based incentives, salary range $100,000 –…