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.

The University of Michigan Debate Program is a department within the Division of Student Life that reports to the Dean of Students Office. We are looking for a motivated, student-centered, and team-oriented individual to join our team as a Debate Program Specialist. This is a full-time, 100% effort position.

Under direct supervision from the Director, you will provide general support to the Director and Assistant Director of the Debate Program. You will receive and respond 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. For more information about us, click here.

This role will be hybrid (Michigan Union, Ann Arbor campus, and remote) based on departmental requirements and position responsibilities. For questions about this role, email talent.acquisition@umich.edu.

Note: The interview process will take place in June, with an anticipated start date of August 2026.
 

Some of the key responsibilities include:

• Travel with the debate team to approximately ten tournaments per academic year (five per semester), ensuring compliance with university policies and best practices.
• Provide weekly coaching, mentorship, and skill development for assigned debate partnerships (two students per team).
• Lead research efforts by planning assignments, editing materials, and producing high-quality evidence in advance of tournaments; instruct students in effective research and information synthesis techniques.
• Deliver detailed, constructive feedback through practice debates, speech redos, video review, and targeted skill drills.
• Serve as a judge for approximately half of the assigned rounds at each tournament to support program obligations.
• Work with debate camp staff to teach students about the annual high school policy debate topic and strategize in a classroom setting.
• Assign tasks to members of the University of Michigan Debate Team to help successfully run and execute the debate tournament.
• Recruit promising high school students to attend the University of Michigan and the summer debate camp.

For a full job description, please click here.

• Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, communications, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
• 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.
   

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.

Selected candidates whose start date is 4/1/2026 or after, will not be eligible for the university FY26-27 salary/merit plan unless otherwise notified.

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

Relocation will not be offered for this role.

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Working Conditions

This position requires the ability to travel to various campus and off-campus locations to provide event support.

Physical Requirements

You may need to move or transport items weighing up to twenty-five (25) pounds.  You will routinely move through campus to attend meetings/events and access files or information.
 

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the University Staff United (USU), which represents bargaining unit members in all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

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 any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

About University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

A great university is made so by its faculty and staff, and Michigan is recognized as one of the best universities to work for in the country. The Michigan culture is known for engaging faculty and staff in all facets of the university to create a workplace that is vibrant and stimulating.For two consecutive years, the Chronicle of Higher Education has placed U-M in its "Great Colleges to Work For" survey. In particular, the university earns high marks for strong relations between faculty and administrators, a collaborative system of governance, strong pay and benefits, and a healthy work/life balance.

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