Director of Forensics

Canyon, TX

Full time

R-097502

Job Title

Director of Forensics

Agency

West Texas A&M University

Department

Communication

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Canyon, Texas

Job Type

Faculty

Job Description

NOTICE - All posted positions are subject to budget approval.

Candidate may begin employment in either January or August 2027, depending on candidate qualifications and department needs.

Job Summary:

Director of Forensics at rank of Instructor (with a master’s degree) or Assistant Professor (with a Ph.D.)

Work Performed:

• Directing and coaching the forensics team, which includes planning competitions, budgeting and managing expenses, travel, and other responsibilities related to team activity.

• Teaching undergraduate courses in the department, such as public speaking, interpersonal communication, argumentation and debate, small group communication, and organizational communication.

• Teaching load is dependent on entering rank with direction and coaching of forensics team, including travel, expected as part of the load. Candidates must have a Ph.D. at the time of the contract to be considered for rank of assistant professor.

• Actively participating in discipline-specific professional associations (e.g., NCA, SSCA, ICA) and remaining updated with scholarly research. Rank of assistant professor requires regular production of peer-reviewed and scholarly conference presentations and journal publications.

• Supporting the department, college, and university through regular professional service and community outreach.

• Qualified applicants might also teach graduate courses and be expected to help graduate students work toward completion of thesis and non-thesis options as an advisor or a committee member.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Candidate must have a Master of Arts in Communication (or master's degree in a related course of study) or a Juris Doctorate.

• Candidate must demonstrate quality teaching experience in debate, oratory, oral interpretation, and basic speech courses.

• Candidate must demonstrate active involvement and experience in hosting speech and debate events, managing and coaching a competitive speech and debate team.

• Candidate must demonstrate the ability to develop and teach quality traditional, hybrid, and web-based courses.

• Candidate should have strong leadership and interpersonal communication skills, initiative, and the ability to excel in a student-centered environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience advising and mentoring students.

• Experience managing UIL academic events.

• Demonstrated ability to teach graduate-level courses.

• Ph.D. in Communication or a related field.

Applicant Instructions:

We require the following:

• Letter of interest or cover letter

• Curriculum Vitae

• Portfolio of creative work (where applicable)

• Personal statement to include teaching philosophy and plans for teaching and service; any tenure-track applicants should also address their plans for research, in addition to their teaching philosophy and plans for teaching and service

• Samples of unpublished works or works in progress (where applicable)

• Unofficial Transcripts (Official transcripts are expected to be submitted promptly by the successful candidate)

• List of three professional references

Please attach all documents in the attachment box at the bottom of the “My Experience” page before continuing through the application. Please use the “Upload” button to add each document individually. All revisions must be made prior to application submission. If you need assistance with uploading documents, please contact WTAMU Human Resources at [email protected] .

Texas law requires that males age 18 through 25 be properly registered with the Selective Service System in order to be eligible for employment.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.

The A&M System strives to maintain a competitive, high-quality benefit package to support the health and wellness needs of our workforce. This includes comprehensive health and welfare insurance plans, additional health and lifestyle programs, and optional retirement savings opportunities. Eligible employees will have access to paid leave programs in addition to 13-15 paid holidays each year. For more information regarding the benefit package go to: West Texas A&M University: Human Resources Benefits (https://www.wtamu.edu/business-finance/human-resources/benefits.html)

All applicants must attest they are not employed by and do not have any connection or continuous connections to any government entity or political apparatus of a country listed in 15 C.F.R. § 791.4 .

Due to budgetary reasons, West Texas A&M University will not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term.

For additional questions or information regarding this position, please contact:

Search Committee Chair: Dr. Emily Kinsky

Department: Communication

Phone: 806-651-2800

Email: [email protected]

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of about 10,000 and offers 59 undergraduate degree programs, 39 master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees.

WT’s long-standing commitment has always been to serve both the students and the region of the Panhandle. Our employees make a difference every day in the lives of thousands of students, and that has countless ripple effects on people throughout the region, the state and the world. Moreover, employees are encouraged to grow professionally and personally thanks to a supportive work environment.

At WT, your future is our future. Employees and their dependents get half-off their tuition and fees. The minimum starting wage is $15 per hour. Employees also have generous health, dental, vision, and long-term disability insurance packages, plus free basic life insurance and enrollment in the Texas Teacher Retirement System. Flexible or compressed work-week arrangements are also available.Find out more at: https://wtamu.edu/benefits

West Texas A&M University is located in Canyon, home to Palo Duro Canyon and the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum. Canyon also is conveniently located near Amarillo, the largest city on Interstate 40 between Oklahoma City and Albuquerque. This region is renowned for its historical significance, vibrant arts and entertainment options, unique shopping, delicious food and the friendliest people in the state.