Title: Debate Senior Student & Program Coordinator - 9 month

Employee Classification: Sr Student & Pgrm Coord - 9mth

Campus: University of North Texas

Division: UNT-Provost

SubDivision-Department: UNT-College of Lib Arts & Soc Sci

Department: UNT-Communication Studies-121300

Job Location: Denton

Salary: $35,424.00

FTE: 1.000000

Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible

About Us - Values Overview:

Department Summary

The Department of Communication Studies at UNT offers the Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Master of Science degrees in Communication Studies. The department also participates in the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program administered through the School of Library and Information Sciences.

Communication Studies is an exciting field of study. Unlike some professional degrees where students train to perform a particular job, students who major in Communication Studies prepare for a variety of career opportunities. Through our degrees, which are constructed on a strong liberal arts foundation, we equip our students with the theories, skills, and training that allow them to adapt to the demands of the 21st century marketplace.

Position Overview

This position supports the UNT Debate Team by directing research efforts, including planning assignments, editing files, and producing evidence for students ahead of each tournament. It also involves teaching students how to retrieve and synthesize information effectively. In collaboration with the Director of Debate (DoD), the role assists in determining argument selection and research priorities.

The position requires travel with the team to 10–14 tournaments per academic year and includes regular coaching and mentoring sessions as outlined by the DoD. Additional responsibilities include assisting the DoD with travel logistics, team supervision, and administrative tasks as needed. The role also manages all UNT Debate social media, updates the debate website as necessary, oversees the alumni database, and develops and distributes public relations materials.

The position plays a key role in organizing and supporting the John S. Gossett Debate and Speech Tournament and the William DeMougeot Debate Tournament. This is an in-person position, Monday through Friday from 8:00am - 5:00pm., unless the team is traveling.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelors degree in a related field and two years of student services, student affairs, counseling, advising or related experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong organizational skills and ability to execute multiple projects.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills.

Preferred Qualifications

The preferred candidate will possess the following additional qualifications:

• Valid Texas driver’s license or the ability to obtain one within thirty days of employment.
• At least 3 years of experience in college debate.
• Demonstration of research skills in college academic debate.
• Experience teaching college debaters.
• An ability to travel to different locations.

Job Duties:

• Email website development for updating information results. Develop press releases based on team success. Maintain all social media for UNT debate. Update debate website when needed. Oversee debate Alumni database.
• Attend tournaments at the request of the DoD. Judge rounds of debates or speech. Assist the DoD in hosting the John S. Gossett Debate and Speech Tournament and the William DeMougeot Debate Tournament. Assist with website registration, classroom reservations, tabroom computation, and awards purchasing.
• Timely completion of all travel paperwork and working with the AD to ensure its completion. Turn in all receipts and complete all paperwork in accordance with UNT policy. Keep Van Driver Training updated.
• Timely completion of timesheets according to UNT policy. Must be turned in and entered online by the 3rd of each month for your supervisor to review and approve. All time off requests entered during appropriate timeframe for supervisor approval. Must maintain accurate time entry according to UNT policy.
• Recruiting high school students to join UNT debate. Attend a minimum of 6 high school tournaments during the academic year to scout and meet with potential recruits. This should be coordinated with the Associate Director of Debate.
• Produce argument files throughout the year for the UNT debate students to use at tournaments and practices. Make the files available to debate students.
• Directing, planning, and implementing directives for debate research. Provide programs and practice sessions to assist and develop UNT debate students research skills.
• Schedule and judge practice debates for UNT debate team. Provide feedback to practice round participants and follow through with advice given. Design and implement study hall sessions for UNT debate team. Keep track of attendance at sessions tin order to support the teams' academic endeavors.
• Implementing a system to keep UNT debate students informed about meetings, practice, public debates, and the tournament schedules. Create a calendar to inform students of meetings, practices, and tournaments. Maintaining minutes and attendance of weekly debate meetings.
• Travel to, argument preparation, coaching, and judging at tournaments. Prepare and coach students before and between rounds to increase performance. Attend tournaments at the request of the DoD. Judge rounds of debates or speech.
• Space management. Keep the debate squad room clean, organized, and useable as a debate space.
• Develop and distribute Public Relations materials for the UNT Debate Team. Assist with writing Press Releases and contacting media, alumni, and officials concerning team updates.

Physical Requirements:

• Communicating with others to exchange information. 
• Lifting and Moving objects up to 20 pounds.
• Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment. 
• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

Environmental Hazards:

• No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Work Schedule:

In person Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm unless it is a tournament week.

Driving University Vehicle:

Yes

Security Sensitive:

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions:

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. 

Benefits:

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement:

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit -- and takes actions to prevent -- discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking) and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities, facilities and employment practices. The University of North Texas System promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. The University of North Texas System also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist or participate in an investigative proceeding or hearing.