Director of Forensics

Job Title

Director of Forensics

Agency

West Texas A&M University

Department

Communication EK

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 hr@wtamu.edu .

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

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: ekinsky@wtamu.edu

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.