Instructor or Assistant Professor of Communication and Speech and Debate Coach

Southeast New Mexico College; Carlsbad (NM); On-site; USD 67,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Retirement plan

College tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Southeast New Mexico College seeks a full-time, tenure-track Communication faculty member in Carlsbad, NM. Responsibilities include teaching Introduction to Communication and Public Speaking, and establishing a new Speech and Debate team.

The role emphasizes student-centered instruction and professional collaboration. The position requires a Master’s in Communication with related graduate credits, and a strong commitment to serving diverse student populations.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Communication with 18 graduate credits in Communication.
• Experience teaching community college students and dual credit programs.
• Experience coaching Speech and Debate at the community college level.
• Experience guiding students in effective study and work habits.

Responsibilities

• Deliver Communication courses (e.g., Intro to Communication, Public Speaking).
• Establish and coach a new Speech and Debate team and coordinate events.
• Recruit, mentor, and support Speech and Debate participants.
• Develop course materials and assessments; assess student learning outcomes.
• Collaborate with faculty and campus departments on interdisciplinary initiatives.

Skills

Speech & Debate coaching

Underprepared students

Student study/work habits coaching

Public speaking instruction

Education

Master’s in Communication

Job description

Required: Master’s degree in Communication or a Master’s degree in a closely related field of study, with a minimum of eighteen (18) graduate credits in Communication. Experience working with underprepared students, dual credit students, and community college students in a small classroom environment; experience coaching Speech and Debate teams at the community college level; and experience teaching students effective study and work habits.

Rank: Instructor or Assistant Professor (DOE)

Tenure Status: Tenure Track

Salary: $67,252 to $78,351 (DOE)

Primary Activity: Exclusively for Credit

Posting Dates: Open until filled

Anticipated start date: January 4, 2027

Background

Located in Carlsbad, New Mexico, Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC) is a newly independent public community college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. A proud Hispanic Serving Institution, it awards certificates and associate degrees that serve the needs of its region and prepare students to transfer to programs at other colleges or universities. SENMC offers Early College and Dual Credit programs in collaboration with local high schools.

Southeast New Mexico College enjoys the strong support of its community, and has been awarded several grants, which include $11.7 million from the U.S. Department of Energy and several multimillion-dollar grants from the U.S. Department of Education for student support.

The college’s diverse employee pool includes 38 full-time faculty, 48 adjunct faculty, and 112 staff members. SENMC offers a generous benefits package which includes medical, dental, retirement, and college tuition reimbursement. More information on SENMC can be obtained from its website at https://senmc.edu.

Purpose and Scope

Southeast New Mexico College seeks a full-time, tenure track Communication faculty member to provide high-quality, student-centered instruction that supports student learning and academic success. The faculty member is responsible for planning, delivering, and evaluating Communication instruction, including Introduction to Communication (COMM 1115G), Public Speaking (COMM 1130G), and other courses as assigned. The faculty member will also establish and coach a new Speech and Debate team while contributing to the academic mission of the college through service, collaboration, professional development, and extension and outreach.

Requirements for Position

This position is assigned to a nine (9) month contract with a standard instructional load of fifteen (15) credit hours per semester. The faculty member must hold regular office hours in accordance with the policies established in the Faculty Handbook and must be able to teach courses during the day, evenings, weekends, and/or online as assigned. The selected candidate must demonstrate a commitment to student-centered instruction, continuous improvement, and supporting a diverse student population through effective communication, timely feedback, and academic support. The candidate must demonstrate adaptability to the instructional needs of the department depending on circumstances; the ability to handle multiple deadlines while maintaining accuracy; sensitivity to cultural differences within the college and community; and the ability to collaborate and innovate with colleagues on new initiatives. The faculty member is expected to establish and coach a new Speech and Debate team, recruit and mentor students, organize practices and tournaments, coordinate team travel, participate in professional development, and contribute to institutional effectiveness through service on college governance committees, task forces, and other assigned college activities. Teaching at the College’s offsite location at Carlsbad High School may be required. The selected candidate must reside in Carlsbad, New Mexico, or within commuting distance.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Deliver effective classroom instruction aligned to course learning outcomes in Communication.
• Coordinate instructional planning, preparation, delivery, and evaluation of assigned Communication courses to promote student-centered learning and retention.
• Teach Introduction to Communication (COMM 1115G), Public Speaking (COMM 1130G), and other Communication courses as assigned.
• Establish, develop, and coach a new Speech and Debate team.
• Recruit, mentor, and support students participating in Speech and Debate activities.
• Develop and coordinate team practices and prepare students for Speech and Debate competitions and tournaments.
• Organize and coordinate tournament participation, including registration, scheduling, travel, and related logistics.
• Develop and revise course materials, assessments, and instructional strategies in support of continuous improvement.
• Conduct ongoing evaluation of student learning and instructional effectiveness using SENMC’s established assessment practices and reporting systems.
• Evaluate student performance and provide timely feedback to students in accordance with college policies and instructional standards.
• Maintain accurate and timely records related to instruction, including attendance, grades, learning outcomes, and required documentation.
• Hold regular and consistent office hours to provide academic support and guidance to students.
• Teach effectively to a diverse student population, including community college, dual credit, and underprepared students.
• Participate in professional development opportunities at the local, state, regional, and national levels.
• Serve on college governance committees, task forces, and other service assignments that support institutional effectiveness and a culture of learning.
• Collaborate with faculty and other campus departments to support interdisciplinary projects, campus initiatives, events, and instructional improvement efforts.
• Communicate with college stakeholders in a timely manner and collaborate with faculty and staff in job-related tasks.
• Attend required meetings, including faculty meetings, department meetings, required trainings, and committee meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of departmental and institutional needs.

Special Instructions to Applicants: Finalists will be asked to demonstrate their teaching skills during the interview process.

Work Environment and Physical Demand

• Reach and grasp objects
• Stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Use of video display terminal
• Use of manual dexterity and fine motor skills
• Communicate information orally and in writing
• Receive and understand information through oral and written communication
• Proofread and check documents for accuracy
• Work a fluctuating work schedule

Performing the essential functions of this position requires the use of a computer throughout most of the workday, the ability to navigate a typical office environment, significant amounts of interpersonal interaction including oral and written communication, and the ability to keep track of multiple tasks, projects, deadlines, information sources, and business processes. This job description is intended to be generic in nature and describe the essential functions of the job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities, and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Affirmative Action Statement

SENMC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to excellence through diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.