Occasional Head Coach - Mock Trial Program

 

Job Title: Occasional Head Coach - Mock Trial Program

Department: Speaking Center

Campus Location: Main Campus

FLSA Status: Nonexempt/ Hourly

Position Type/ Work Schedule

• Up to 1000 Hours per year
• 10 Months per year
• 10-30 (hours vary) Hours per week (Estimated)

About Us

At Colorado College, 2,100 students learn and live on our beautiful 99-acre campus in downtown Colorado Springs. We attract top students seeking new perspectives with an array of experiential learning opportunities possible only in an immersive learning environment. Here, students take only one class at a time to facilitate deep exploration of a topic. We call this the Block Plan. This unique approach allows members of our campus community to share a rhythm of experience as we work together to fulfill our mission. 

Job Summary

The OC Head Coach- Mock Trial Program is responsible for organizing and conducting the Mock Trial Program, ensuring compliance with the rules of the AMTA (American Mock Trial Association).

Responsibilities

• Embrace and advocate for the college's mission of diversity, inclusion and equity for all members of our community and utilize these principles to inform all actions, decisions and aspects of the position.
• Be available from the beginning of first block until the end of April and travel as necessary. This role requires a strong on-campus presence. Employees must be physically on campus at least three (3) days per week, equating to a minimum of 75% of total work time.
• Conduct pre-season tryouts. Assign students to teams and determine lawyer and witness roles. Reassess after every tournament. Assure that everyone gets an opportunity to lawyer.
• Serve as the principal liaison with AMTA
• Ensure that all registrations-team, individual, regional, etc. are completed. Insure appropriate payment.
• Make strategic decisions about how to approach the AMTA problem which students must address
• Conduct practice with participating students several times each week as needed. Conduct intra-team scrimmages.
• Instruct students in trial preparation and trial advocacy skills: Teach how to formulate opening statements; closing arguments; direct examinations; and cross-examinations. Teach students how to object, and how to anticipate and respond to objections.
• Teach the distinctions in burdens of proof. Teach the rules of evidence, their application, and the distinctions between issues such as character evidence and credibility evidence. Model technical knowledge of the law and the nuances of courtroom performance.
• Instruct participating students in speaking skills and appropriate courtroom decorum.
• Prepare students for their role play as witnesses. Develop appropriate direct examination responses. Anticipate and develop appropriate cross-examination responses.
• Coordinate Tournament Schedule with the Block Plan.
• Secure transportation and lodging for tournament travel. Serve as the principal driver and secure additional responsible adult drivers.
• Manage dietary and medical concerns for students while maintaining confidentiality.
• Work with the Director of the Speaking Center in managing the budget.
• Maintain detailed records.
• Report expenditures to the Director of the Speaking Center and to the team treasurer.
• Ensure timely communication through a minimum of one meeting per block with the Director of the Speaking Center to review issues, resolutions, and program progress.
• Be prepared to judge the competition (required at many tournaments). If not judging, observe the team/teams compete, and coach the students after the round is completed.
• Review statistics and comments from the rounds. Adjust assignments based on the statistical data and personal observations.
• Enforce the Colorado College Mock Trial Program By-laws and Mock Trial Letter of Understanding.
• Actively support the college’s commitment to be an antiracist institution by understanding, engaging with, and promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity in the college community.
• Promote a culture of safety and environmental protection by working in a safe manner; immediately reporting unsafe situations and accidents; following college procedures; and participating in appropriate safety training.
• Demonstrate environmental sustainability by using college resources wisely and supporting the college’s sustainability initiatives and innovation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• JD preferred or bach