Debate Program Specialist

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How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Summary

Department Summary

The National Champion University of Michigan Debate Program, a department within the Division of Student Life that reports to the Dean of Students Office, is committed to student learning and development via participation in intercollegiate policy debate. Through a varsity traveling team, summer national high school debate institute, urban debate outreach efforts in Detroit, and hosting a national high school debate tournament each November, the Debate Program facilitates and enriches the educational experience of current and potential University of Michigan students.

Job Summary

The University of Michigan Debate Program, a department within the Division of Student Life that reports to the Dean of Students Office, seeks a motivated, student-centered, and team-oriented individual for a Program Specialist position.

The Debate Program Specialist, under direct supervision from the Director, provides general support to the Director and Assistant Director of the Debate Program. This role receives and responds to routine correspondence following established procedures to keep the Director and Assistant Director informed of the progress of research assignments, practice debates and speeches, and bi-weekly team meetings.

Responsibilities*

U-M Debate Team Coaching- 80%

• Travel with the debate team to approximately ten tournaments per academic year (5 per semester), assuring adherence to University policy and best practices.

• Meet with the Debate Team periodically to provide coaching, assistance, and mentoring as described by the Director.

• Assist the debate team's research, which involves planning assignments, editing files, and producing numerous amounts of evidence for the students before each tournament; teach students how to retrieve and synthesize information.

• Foster and promote successful debate partnerships.

• Engage in pre-round scouting and preparation with debaters during and for tournaments.

• Help determine debate team argument selection and research prioritization.

• Develop and implement coaching instruction for debate tournaments and other training formats, such as mini-camps and work weekends.

• Contribute commitment of one-half judging at each tournament attended to help fulfill the debate team's obligation to the tournament.

• Extensive work with theories, concepts, and best practices of collegiate policy debate education and college student development.

• Thorough mentoring of students regarding United States climate and energy policy

Debate Institute Preparation- 10%

• Help identify potential faculty and staff for the annual summer debate institute.

• Assist in targeting top high school debate students for institute merit and need-based scholarships.

Recruiting- 10%

• Travel to several high school debate tournaments every year to scout and meet with potential recruits, their parents, and coaches.

• Recruit promising high school students to attend the summer debate institute.

• Assure recruiting comports with Office of Undergraduate Admissions expectations.

• Represent the University of Michigan honorably during all recruiting activities.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, communications, or a related field.

• Minimum four (4) years of policy debate experience

• Professional experience working with high school and/or college students or in a scholastic environment.

• Experience with college-level policy debate.

Additional Information

Position Criteria

• Requires the ability to exercise independent judgment, employ basic reasoning skills, and a familiarity with national-level collegiate policy debate

• Ability to work independently and make sound educational, ethical, and appropriate decisions

• Strong organizational skills

• Advanced experience with administrative tools such as Microsoft Excel, Adobe Acrobat, Verbatim, and Microsoft Office

• Demonstrated commitment to regulatory, legal, and ethical standards

• Demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Working conditions

The position work schedule is generally Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., but travel to intercollegiate debate tournaments is required.

Physical requirements

• This position requires the ability to travel to various campus and off-campus locations to provide event support. The person in this position may need to move or transport items weighing up to twenty-five (25) pounds, etc.The person in this position routinely moves through campus to attend meetings/events and access files or information.

Selected candidates whose start date is 4/1/2024 or before 8/31/2024, will not be eligible for the university FY24-25 salary/merit plan unless otherwise notified.

This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery.

Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and applicants for this position will not be sponsored for work visas.

Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate.

Relocation will not be offered for this position.

#studentlife

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Job Detail

Job Opening ID

250604

Working Title

Debate Program Specialist

Job Title

Student Affairs Program Spec

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Nonexempt

Organizational Group

Dsa Central Administ

Department

U-M Debate

Posting Begin/End Date

6/19/2024 - 7/10/2024

Salary

$42,750.00 - $51,300.00

Career Interest

Academic & Student Services

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