The Chicago Debate Commission Is Hiring an Assistant Director of Programming for Operations

The Chicago Debate Commission (CDC) seeks a qualified candidate to join its programming staff, working in a variety of fields central to the CDC’s mission of bringing rigorous and engaging academic debate opportunities to public school students in Chicago. The CDC facilitates, promotes and manages academic debate programming in 75 public schools in Chicago, and runs the Chicago Debate League, one of the nation’s leading Urban Debate Leagues. The Assistant Director of Programming for Operations will work full-time from the CDC’s downtown offices.

Job Description

The Assistant Director of Programming for Operations will work with other programming staff members, including the Assistant Director of Programming for School Support, and will report to the Director of Programming. The Assistant Director of Programming for Operations will conduct a variety of academic debate programs, involving all four high school conferences in the Chicago Debate League, and all three conferences in the Chicago Middle School Debate League. The Assistant Director of Programming for Operations:

• Maintains school, coach, judge, student, and all other programming rosters;
• Updates, revises, and upgrades the Chicago Debate League website
• Manages and posts all reporting notebooks – e.g., Tournament Reporting Notebook, Professional Development Reporting Notebook, Qualitative Assessment Reporting Notebook
• Manages tournament registration
• Assembles and publishes tournament results and Medal Count
• Maintains and keeps current all email listservs
• Manages the coach incentive, compensation, and stipend payment systems
• Manages all programming tracking forms and data systems, including the Qualitative Assessment Project database
• Manages the tournament hosting process
• Conducts site visits in advance of tournaments to ensure host site readiness
• Directs tournament tab rooms on tournament weekends
• Trains and communicates with tournament operations staff
• Performs site visits to schools to work with coaches to assist them in building their debate programs
• Communicates with coaches by email, phone, and text to assist them in building their debate programs
• Develops and posts coaching and instructional resources to further debate program building throughout the league
• Conducts selected teacher and coach trainings
• Develops resources and materials for training and instruction of CDL and CMSDL coaches
• Develops and executes plans to increase the pool of tournament judges and supports judge recruitment
• Manages judge tracking and payment
• Manages coach and instructor compensation and incentive payments
• Recruits and supports coach training volunteers
• Assists in the management of the Chicago Debate Summer Institute;
• Fulfills other assignments and projects, as issued by the Director of Programming

Qualifications

• B.A. or higher degree with strong academic record
• Extensive experience in current high school cross-examination policy debate
• Exceptional organization and project management skills
• Demonstrated high level of detail-orientation
• Effective time management skills and ability to manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously
• Capacity to execute projects to specifications, while also demonstrating initiative, problem-solving skills, and self-direction
• Passion for the urban debate mission and the educational justice objectives of the Chicago Debate League
• Ownership of a vehicle and/or willingness to ride public transportation to high schools and other sites
• Experience in urban education – non-profit, administrative, or classroom – is a plus
• Willingness to work evenings/weekends where necessary – total working hours will be 40-50, but hours will not always be “9 to 5”
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills

Additional Information

Compensation commensurate with experience.

Candidates passing an initial screening will be interviewed by the staff of the Chicago Debate Commission.

The Chicago Debate Commission is seeking a commitment of at least two years.

The Assistant Director of Programs position may begin September 3rd, September 16th, or September 30th, pending candidate’s availability.

The Chicago Debate Commission is an equal opportunity employer.

Submit your c.v. and a cover letter, via email to:

Les Lynn
Chicago Debate Commission
(e) leslynn@resources.chicagodebates.org