Swedish ​Language Summer Program Director or Co-director - Concordia Language Villages

Concordia College • Bemidji, MN

7d • Onsite

About The Position

For more than 60 years, Concordia Language Villages (CLV), a program of Concordia College, has brought language and culture to life through immersive experiences in the North Woods of Minnesota. Each Language Village creates a community where participants learn by living the language through conversation, food, music, activities, traditions, and everyday life. As a Summer Dean, you won’t simply work within that experience. You’ll help lead and shape it. You’ll bring together language education, cultural learning, staff leadership, and community-building to create an environment where young people can take risks, build confidence, and experience another language and culture in a meaningful way. If you’re passionate about language and culture, energized by developing others, and excited by the challenge of bringing an immersive educational community to life, CLV offers a summer leadership experience unlike most others. The Summer Dean serves as the program director and primary leader of an individual Concordia Language Village, with overall responsibility for the leadership and operation of its summer program. You’ll oversee program development and implementation, staff leadership, budgeting, operations, and communication while ensuring the Village reflects the mission and educational philosophy of Concordia Language Villages. As a Summer Dean, you’ll be part of the broader Language Community, working alongside academic-year program leaders, participating in the Village Leadership Council, and partnering closely with your Program Director and CLV’s administrative team. This is a highly engaged leadership role that combines year-round planning and preparation with visible, hands-on leadership during the summer season. Interested in co-leading a Village? Co-dean arrangements may be considered. If applying with another person, both applicants should clearly indicate the proposed co-dean arrangement in their applications. Please note that compensation for each position is reduced in a co-dean arrangement.

Requirements

• Intermediate-High or higher proficiency in Swedish and English
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum age of 25 (American Camp Association standard)
• Availability for all orientation and session dates
• Must possess valid work authorization for the United States
• Reside in the United States
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the Summer Dean position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Commitment to immersion-based language and cultural education.
• Knowledge of effective teaching strategies and methodologies for second-language learning.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and management skills.
• Commitment to the missions of Concordia College and Concordia Language Villages and to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in a related field
• Previous leadership position at Concordia Language Villages or in a similar, language-immersion environment
• Ability and willingness to make a multi-year commitment to the dean position (contingent on all parties agreeing to continuation). Returning deans reapply annually for their role.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of a strong language and cultural program in collaboration with CLV seasonal and year-round staff.
• Develop and maintain a linguistically and culturally appropriate curriculum, educational program, and Village schedule, including the creation or procurement of necessary materials.
• Ensure the Village program operates in accordance with Concordia College and Concordia Language Villages policies and applicable Cognia and American Camp Association (ACA) standards.
• Gather and respond to feedback from villagers and staff, consult with CLV administrators on program needs and implementation, and promote the health, safety, and well-being of all participants.
• Participate in Village Leadership Councils, strategic and long-range planning, and professional development related to immersion-based language education, target language and culture, and child and youth development.
• Serve as an active and visible leader within your Language Village, providing staff supervision and helping staff navigate conflict, CLV policies, and Village norms.
• Review applications; interview, hire, and onboard seasonal staff; lead Village-specific orientation; and provide ongoing staff training throughout the season.
• Build a collegial and productive working environment that supports staff well-being, professional development, and the mission of Concordia Language Villages.
• Assign and delegate staff responsibilities, conduct regular staff meetings, provide or arrange performance feedback, and coordinate disciplinary action when necessary.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Village staff and CLV central administration and as a primary contact for parent/guardian conversations, dismissals, discipline, and other significant participant or staff matters.
• Serve as a steward of your Language Village site, resources, and relationships while maintaining effective communication with CLV central administrators and staff.
• Monitor program and staffing expenditures and coordinate Village resources, including curricular materials, store items, foreign currency, office supplies, and other program needs.
• Collaborate with program, operations, facilities, health, and risk-management partners to coordinate program and support staff and address operational needs.
• Coordinate Village opening and closing procedures.
• Communicate effectively and appropriately with participants, parents/guardians, staff, other members of the CLV community, organizational partners, and the general public on behalf of your Language Village.
• Represent Concordia Language Villages and its educational philosophy as requested and as a program of Concordia College.
• Support CLV communications and promotional efforts, including content development for publications, websites, and other initiatives.
• Be familiar with and abide by specific policies set forth in the “Personnel Policies,” which are designated by Concordia Language Villages administration and individual Village deans.
• Read and become familiar with the responsibilities for your specific area of assignment.
• After receiving your Staff Handbook and other material, read all the information carefully and thoroughly before arriving at the Village.
• Report to orientation prior to your first session as designated by your staff agreement.
• Assist with setting up the Village, preparing for the next session, and maintaining the Village throughout the session.
• Speak the target language with villagers and staff members as much as possible.
• Live in community living arrangements, assigned according to gender; nearly all positions include living and sleeping in a cabin or other housing unit with villagers (participants) of the same gender; positions that do not include living with villagers do include living with other staff members of the same gender.
• Be prepared to use shared bathroom facilities assigned according to gender; shower and toilet stalls are private but situated within common bathroom areas shared with other staff and villagers.
• Model standards for behavior and be sensitive to the health and welfare of the villagers.
• Remain one day after your final session for cleanup, inventory, and evaluation of the program.
• Be at least 16 years of age to be considered for a staff position.
• Be at least 18 years of age to be considered for a staff position if you are not a United States citizen.

Benefits

• Room and board provided while working on-site during the residential summer program.
• Build meaningful leadership experience directing an immersive language and cultural program and leading a seasonal staff team.
• Develop lasting professional and personal connections with educators, language professionals, and staff from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Make a meaningful impact by creating an environment where young people build confidence, develop language skills, and engage deeply with another culture.
• Grow as an educator and leader through hands-on experience in immersion education, staff development, program management, and community-building.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level