Part-Time Debate Coach

Franklin-School; Jersey City (NJ); On-site; USD 5,000 - 6,000; Part time

Job summary

Franklin School in Jersey City seeks a part-time Debate Coach to lead its high school debate team of approximately 20–25 students. You will plan weekly practices, prepare students for competitions, and supervise the team at all five tournaments throughout the season.

The role fits an experienced coach, educator, or debate alumnus who enjoys mentoring teenagers and building a competitive, well-run program. Compensation is commensurate with experience.

Qualifications

• Experience coaching, teaching, or advising high-school students.
• Competitive debate experience preferred but not required for strong coaching backgrounds.
• Strong organizational and communication skills; able to coordinate with students, parents, and staff.
• Commit to full season: September 2026–May 2027.
• Background check and Franklin School clearances required.

Responsibilities

• Plan and lead one weekly practice (3:30–4:30 PM) covering research, case-building, argumentation, rebuttal, and delivery skills.
• Attend five Saturday competitions, full-day (6:30 AM–6:30 PM).
• Coordinate with Faculty Advisor and Assistant Coach on practice plans and logistics.
• Manage roster, squads, and communicate schedules with students and parents/guardians.
• Register team for tournaments and arrange transportation and chaperone logistics.
• Set team norms and uphold conduct, sportsmanship, and academic integrity.
• Track student growth and provide feedback for improvement.
• Partner with the Director of Student Life on culture and program integration.
• Report incidents or concerns promptly to the Director of Student Life.

Skills

Coaching experience

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Mentoring

Job description

Franklin is a visionary high school-- a place where students have the freedom to chart their own course, as they lean on our long history of educational excellence.

With a unique approach, Franklin engages students actively in their own learning through a flexible, cutting-edge curriculum designed to educate innovators and socially responsible global leaders.

Grounded in an applied-learning philosophy, Franklin was created for today’s learners: technologically adept, focused on the future, and eager to make a difference in the world. Our School was founded by the same family of expert educators who created the global network of Dwight Schools, which began in Manhattan in 1872.

At Franklin, we strive to ensure that our environment is welcoming — a place in which everyone can thrive — and an organization we are proud of. We recognize that this takes trusting relationships and ensuring that all individuals feel valued regardless of their backgrounds. We encourage diversity in all respects, including diversity of thought, and embrace innovation and foster collaboration and growth.

We consistently strive to advance the equity, diversity and belonging of our community in all domains, including the curriculum, admissions, environment, and hiring. Our goal is to achieve and maintain equal employment opportunities, with policies in place to maintain a work environment free from discrimination.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Franklin School is seeking a part-time Debate Coach to lead and grow its high school debate team of approximately 20–25 students. The Debate Coach is responsible for planning and running weekly practices, preparing students for competition, and supervising the team at all tournaments throughout the season. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced coach, educator, or debate alum who enjoys mentoring teenagers and wants to build a competitive, well-run program.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan and lead one weekly practice (3:30–4:30 PM) covering research, case-building, argumentation, rebuttal, and delivery skills.
• Attend and supervise the team at all five competitions during the season, each a full-day Saturday commitment from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
• Collaborate closely with the team's existing Faculty Advisor and Assistant Coach to coordinate practice plans, competition logistics, and team management.
• Manage team logistics, including maintaining the roster, organizing squads/pairings for competitions, and communicating regularly with students and parents/guardians about schedules and expectations.
• Register the team for tournaments and coordinate transportation and chaperone logistics with school administration.
• Set team norms and hold students accountable to standards of conduct, sportsmanship, and academic integrity during practices and competitions.
• Track student growth and provide feedback to help debaters improve over the course of the season.
• Partner with the Director of Student Life on team culture, eligibility, and integration with broader school programming.
• Report any incidents, injuries, or conduct concerns promptly to the Director of Student Life.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience coaching, teaching, or advising high-school-age students.
• Experience with competitive debate or similar competitions strongly preferred but not required for candidates with strong coaching/mentoring backgrounds.
• Strong organizational and communication skills; comfortable coordinating with students, parents, and school staff.
• Ability to commit to the full season (September 2026-May 2027), including the weekly after school practice slot and all five Saturday competitions.
• Successful completion of a background check and any clearances required by Franklin School.

Compensation commensurate upon experience: $5,000 - $6,000/per academic year