As International Academic Competitions and the National History Bee and Bowl continue to grow, we are always seeking talented and motivated people to help us grow and oversee our competitions.
Reader at Regional Tournaments – If you are interested in helping us staff our regional tournaments as a question reader, please fill out this staff interest form and a member of our team will in touch with more information. As of the 2020-21 academic year, this position is typically paid at a rate of $75 for Varsity and JV level tournaments and $150 for middle school Regional Finals tournaments (if one staffs all day; otherwise it is $60 for a morning, or $90 for a morning and early afternoon). Travel is not covered, but lunch is.
Reader at National Championships – We are likewise always interested in finding readers for our high school National Championships and our Middle and Elementary School National Championships. It is helpful, though not always necessary, to have prior experience in reading at regional events before staffing Nationals. Varsity and Junior Varsity Nationals staff members typically have their travel covered in full (at least up to $300) to our National Championships in Washington, DC & Arlington, VA. If you are able to reach the Nationals site for under $200, you are allowed to keep the balance in cash. Nationals staff members also receive free hotel rooms and a food allowance while helping us out. Middle School and Elementary School Nationals staff members are also sought, and are also reimbursed on a case by case basis.
Please fill out this staff interest form if you are interested in staffing any of our National Championship tournaments.
Tournament Director – Tournament directors run our Regional tournaments throughout the USA and are typically compensated in the $150-$250 range depending on how large the tournament they oversee is. Our Tournament Coordinators explain the directing process to the directors in the weeks leading up to the event. Tournament Directors are responsible for overseeing the tournaments as they happen, including leading the opening meetings, collecting payments, tallying scores, and reading the final rounds. Tournament Directors then can move on to become Tournament Coordinators or take higher level positions if interested. Many directors only direct once or twice a year, which is fine.
Question Writer – Our tournaments can’t exist without questions, so we need a large team of writers to produce our sets! Typically, we pay between $4 and $6 per standard tossup question, depending on experience and other factors. Prospective writers should fill out this form. Students who compete are welcome to write as well. We will make sure that your questions are never used at tournaments in which you could potentially compete; they will be stockpiled until after you graduate or used in different age divisions.
Full-time Staff Member – Have you considered a career in the burgeoning academic competition industry? While experience with history and academic competitions are helpful, even more important factors in hiring include personal reliability, attention to detail, being comfortable traveling and in front of crowds, and excellent people skills. If you think you have what it takes, please send your resume to director@historybowl.com along with a cover letter stating the reasons for your interest, particularly relevant experience, and what aspects of work (e.g. directing, coordinating, question writing, organizational development, outreach, etc.) you are most interested in.