Alabama Forensics Team Coach - 529526

The University of Alabama • Tuscaloosa, AL

30d • $48,600 - $60,800 • Onsite

About The Position

The Alabama Forensics Team Coach coaches students in speech and debate events through one-on-one and group instruction. Plans and conducts regular practices, mock rounds, and feedback sessions to prepare students for competitions. Coordinates tournament and team operations, including transportation, travel itineraries, lodging, registration, competition-related communications, and more. Ensures team compliance with all applicable rules, eligibility requirements, and codes of conduct. Completes administrative processes in accordance with University policies. Supports recruitment, retention, and outreach efforts for the program. Teaches summer courses. Develops instructional materials, assesses student work, and supports pedagogical initiatives connected to public speaking, argumentation, or performance. Provides Speaking Studio workshops, consultant training, and backup consultant scheduling support during the academic year in coordination with Speaking Studio leadership.

The Alabama Forensic Council is The University of Alabama's nationally competitive speech and debate program and is intended to operate among the best programs in the country. The program supports student learning and competitive excellence in public speaking, argumentation, performance, and advocacy while representing the University in regional and national competitions.
Contributes to the Department of Communication Studies and Speaking Studio through teaching and professional development workshops.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and two (2) years of collegiate speech, debate, or forensics experience; OR master's degree and some collegiate speech, debate, or forensics experience.
• Must have valid U.S. driver's license.
• Must be at least 19 years of age at time of hire and have an acceptable Motor Vehicle Report that is in compliance with University policies.
• Applicants under the age of 21 will have some driving restrictions.
• Knowledge of intercollegiate speech and debate competition.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Speech writing and editing abilities.
• Research and argument development skills.
• Strong organizational and event-planning abilities.
• Ability to mentor students in a high-performance environment.
• Ability to manage travel logistics and deadlines.
• Ability to teach online and use learning-management systems and videoconferencing platforms.
• Workshop and consultation facilitation skills.
• Collaborative professionalism.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and travel overnight as required by the competition schedule.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in communication studies or a closely related field.
• 18 graduate semester hours in communication studies or another discipline.
• Collegiate speech, debate, or forensics experience as a competitor, coach, or graduate assistant.
• Experience teaching communication studies or public speaking courses, especially online.
• Experience coordinating graduate assistants or student workers.
• Experience with recruitment, summer camps/clinics, Speaking Studio or communication center work, and/or student performance programming.

Responsibilities

• Coaches students in speech and debate events through one-on-one and group instruction.
• Plans and conducts regular practices, mock rounds, and feedback sessions to prepare students for competitions.
• Coordinates tournament and team operations, including transportation, travel itineraries, lodging, registration, competition-related communications, and more.
• Ensures team compliance with all applicable rules, eligibility requirements, and codes of conduct.
• Completes administrative processes in accordance with University policies.
• Supports recruitment, retention, and outreach efforts for the program.
• Teaches summer courses.
• Develops instructional materials, assesses student work, and supports pedagogical initiatives connected to public speaking, argumentation, or performance.
• Provides Speaking Studio workshops, consultant training, and backup consultant scheduling support during the academic year in coordination with Speaking Studio leadership.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level