Head Coach Speech and Debate FY2526129

Title: Head Coach - Speech and Debate FY2526129

Reports to: Activities Director

Status: Seasonal

Location: High School

Start Date: October 2026-February 2027

Essential Job Duties

• Coach and judge at competitions during the academic year.
• Direct review and edit student research.
• Listen to and provide feedback to students by listening to video recordings of debates practice speeches and rebuttal reworks.
• Engage students in discussions about arguments and strategy.
• Collaborate with the Director on decision-making and planning as needed.
• Support appropriate student behavior as outlined in the student handbook.
• Minor administrative tasks.

Knowledge Skills Abilities

• Knowledge to analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions.
• Ability to schedule activities meetings and/or events gather collate and/or classify data and use job-related equipment.
• Ability to be flexible to work with others in a wide variety of circumstances.
• Ability to read write and speak English fluently
• Ability to work with a diversity of individuals and/or groups and utilize specific job-related equipment.
• Ability to problem solve to analyze issues.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students the public and staff members.
• Ability to maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to manage time and responsibilities adapt to changing work priorities communicate with diverse groups maintaining confidentiality meet deadlines and schedules.
• Ability to set priorities work as part of a team and work with and manage frequent interruptions.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of student matters.
• Ability to effectively communicate with students parents and staff.
• Ability to perform duties with awareness of all District requirements and Board policies.
• Skill in adhering to safety practices.

Required Qualifications

1. Successful experience in high school or college policy/cross-examination style debate.
2. Experience researching/cutting positions used in policy debate.
3. Familiarity with a variety of contemporary policy debate arguments and styles.

Preferred Qualifications

1. A record of competitive success as a debater and/or coach
2. Experience coaching other high school speech and debate formats

Necessary special requirements:

• Montana Drivers license or the ability to obtain license within three months of hire date.
• Ability to travel to local and national high school debate tournaments with the team including those falling on evenings and weekends.

Physical and Mental Demands and Work Hazards

• Performs routine work.
• Regularly works inside with minimal temperature variations.
• Ability to meet deadlines with severe time constraints.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.
• Frequently required to sit; occasionally walk and stand.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• Required to be able to hear conversations in loud and quiet environments.
• May be required to lift or carry up to 20 pounds on an infrequent basis with or without an accommodation.
• Guidance and reinforcement are usually unavailable.
• The employee frequently works within time constraints and must maintain attentiveness intensity.
• Frequently involved in interactions which require oral and written communications.
• Exercises flexibility and the ability to shift from one task to another.
• Occasional travel/mobility between schools or between schools and the Administration office may be required.
• Occasionally works near moving mechanical parts.