Pay Grade/Pay Range: Minimum: $48,600 - Midpoint: $60,800 (Salaried E7)
Department/Organization: 207301 - Communication Studies
Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm; some after hours
Job Summary: 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.
Additional Department Summary: 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.
Required Minimum Qualifications: 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.
Additional Required Department Minimum Qualifications: 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.
Skills and Knowledge: 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.
Preferred Qualifications: 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.
Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.
Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC’s Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal poster.
The University of Alabama affirms its longstanding commitment to institutional neutrality, free speech, and academic freedom.
