Position Classification:
Regular, full-time, salaried, exempt and benefit-eligible staff position. For more benefit information visit Why Work at UCO?
General Schedule:
Position typically works Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm (with flexible hours during debate competition season).
Position Overview:
The head debate coach is responsible for developing and leading a competitive collegiate debate program. Plans, designs, develops, executes, and manages program to ensure successful implementation and continuation of academic program. Ensures the program follows the guidelines, specifications, policy and procedures are enforced and followed. Provide direct oversight and vision for the programs technological or educational needs and goals. Provides information to and facilitates communication between administrators, faculty, staff, and students concerning program/services. Maintains relevant databases to ensure accurate and accessible records. Prepares reports summarizing statistical data or describing program objectives and accomplishments. May develop, design, and or coordinate curriculum and requirements for the program. Secures funds through annual budget, grant writing, and other means.
Department Essential Job Functions:
Our goal is to maintain a multi-level debate program that is regionally and nationally competitive. Directs the UCO debate program, budget development and management, organizing in-service debate programs, on campus and in-class debate activities, debate tournaments, and directing the Central Oklahoma Debate Institute, a week-long policy debate summer camp that focuses on the National Federation of State High School Associations national high school policy debate topic and offer students practice debates, skill sessions, and a full tournament to prepare them for the upcoming topic. Requires coordination of research projects, promotion, administrative responsibilities, prepare and present lectures, produce a starter evidence packet for the institute, and coach attendees throughout the institute. Promotes the academic growth of the debate students by monitoring their academic progress through periodic grade checks and end of semester grade reports. Handles equipment, purchasing, and administrative tasks for the debate team. Helps maintain strong relations with high schools to promote debate team recruiting efforts. Works with the UCO Foundation & College of Liberal Arts Development Director for all endowment and developmental matters. Works with Student Financial Aid and the College of Liberal Arts Operations Manager to determine tuition waivers and scholarships. Communicate with the College of Liberal Arts Graphic Design Coordinator to keep the debate team’s university website up-to-date and communication inquiries made via the webpage. Represents the debate team in the national debate organizations by attending organizational meetings, maintaining memberships, and voting in organization elections. Develop programs on campus consistent with UCO’s transformative learning goals including public debates and in-class demonstration debates. Responsible for tournament scheduling and travel arrangements. Provides direction regarding strategic planning, mission, vision, and values for debate. Must act in compliance with the University Student Code of Conduct and follow all university and state policies and procedures for travel. Responsible for good accounting and expense reporting. May have judging responsibilities for the debate team. Will also help to balance national and regional travel schedules and be responsible for the enforcement of all travel regulations and expectations personally. Position is responsible for transporting students to and from competitions in a passenger van. Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications/Experience Required:
Requires a bachelor's degree in related field plus 3+ years of experience with leading, planning, program development and innovation, budgets, and assessment.
Must have a valid driver's license, clean driving record, and be able to operate a typical motor vehicle (and a passenger van for transporting students to and from debate competitions).
Qualifications/Experience Preferred:
Master's degree. Demonstration of successful coaching experience. Five years high school/college coaching experience. Previous experience in organizing debate tournaments.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
Proven ability to work with debaters of all levels of experience, a record that illustrates experience and success with novice debaters, an understanding that success is measured by the university first in the national organizational team rankings and secondly in individual achievements, and familiarity and a working relationship with the Oklahoma high school debate community. Ability to travel for tournaments, including nights and weekends.
Physical Demands:
Reasonable accommodations (in accordance with ADA requirements) may be made, upon request, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
