Job Description
Programming Officer
Washington Urban Debate League
Washington Urban Debate League (WUDL) is looking for a new staff member to start for the 2025-2026 academic year to support new and existing debate programs and help expand the league’s human capacity to keep up with expected growth.
About WUDL:
Washington Urban Debate League is a D.C. based non-profit organization that supports policy debate programs at publicly funded schools as a high impact educational intervention to supplement traditional pedagogy. We’re a young, dynamic, fast-growing organization ready to adapt to an evolving educational landscape. We look to serve more than 800 students at more than 80 mostly Title 1 schools in the coming academic year.
The Job:
This position would report to the Executive Director, and work closely in collaboration with our small team of 4.5 current staff members, the board, and other key stakeholders. Given the nature of working for a small non-profit, that means having core responsibilities, but occasional all-hands on deck to support the league’s core functions, big events, etc.
Responsibilities:
40% School Support
Evangelize debate to and support the growth and functions of a portfolio of schools, including:
Training Coaches and provide Technical Assistance on site
Supporting coaches to recruit and engage new students
Occasional support and travel with WUDL’s Travel Team, 5-7 weekends each school year.
40% Capacity Building
Building the league’s human capital through sustainable, diverse methods, including:
New volunteer recruitment
Expanding partnerships with other nonprofits, corporations, and other stakeholders
Creating training tools to increase efficiency and expand skillbuilding
Working with the WUDL PTA, Advisory Board, and other informal bodies
20% Tournament Administration
Work with WUDL staff to run Saturday tournaments, 7-9 Saturdays each school year, including:
Pre-tournament communication with key stakeholders
Day of tournament administration and post tournament clean up
- You won’t be expected to administer tournaments right away, but being the senior staff member running them sooner rather than later is expected.
Desired Criteria:
Required: High School Diploma / Equivalent credentials
Appreciated: College / advanced degrees
Required: Full Time Availability
Will need to work a number of nights and weekends (planned ahead of time)
Required: Passion for education and youth development
Required: Experience with competitive debate
Appreciated Experience competing in and / or coaching policy debate
Appreciated: Familiarity with Urban Debate Leagues
Required: Experience teaching and/or coaching middle and/or high school students
Required: Self starter, able to think entrepreneurially and creatively
Required: Ability to work independently for a virtual organization and complete tasks and projects
Required: Collaborative approach to a range of workstyles towards communal goals
Required: Strong organization skills, professionalism, and punctual
Required: Strong Relationship Building skills, confident and comfortable in social and professional settings with a range of stakeholders, including students, teachers, parents, school administrators, and supporters
Work Environment and Physical Demands:
In Person: Need to be able to attend in person events at D.C. area schools. This isn’t negotiable.
Virtual Organization: WUDL does not have an office. All staff work remotely.
Work environment is dynamic. It can include working at home or a coffee shop, preparing materials and curriculum to spending time in the afternoon and evenings at debate practices and attending tournaments locally or regionally.
Physical demands include working at a computer, speaking in front of a classroom, but also carrying supplies (paper, printers, computer, t-shirts, food etc.) for tournaments and teams from your car to school locations.