Job Description

If you need assistance with the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at hr@cord.edu or 218-299-3339, or visit the Human Resources Home Page.

Position Details

Position Title:

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

Position Type:

Seasonal

Employment Type:

Seasonal Recreation Exempt, Full-Time, Temporary

Location:

Bemidji, Minnesota

General Employment Period:

Five weeks in the summer (July 17-August 22)

General Work Schedule (days of week):

In residence in Bemidji during the summer season. January-June accounts for 20% of salary and is spent hiring summer staff and planning program for the summer.

Position Opening Date:

9/29/2026

Position Closing Date:

10/30/2026

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Screening Begins:

10/30/2026

Minimum Salary:

Base salary is $940/week for six weeks in residence. Salary increases possible based on education and experience. The total salary for the six weeks in-residence will be spread over the months beginning in approximately January through the end of the residential program. Virtual Village Leadership Councils will be compensated at the rate of $150 each for full attendance.

Why Concordia Language Villages?

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.

About the Role:

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.

The Italian Language Village is co-located with the Arabic Language Village. Each Village has their own housing and meal spaces, but share some staff and supplies as well as many indoor and outdoor spaces. It is important that the Italian Village Dean is prepared to collaborate with the Arabic Village Dean, and to support staff teams and villagers in sharing the site. In your cover letter, please share how you will ensure effective communication between the two Villages.

Perks of Working at CLV:

• 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.

You'll Thrive Here if You:

• Lead with both confidence and collaboration, providing clear direction while building strong relationships with staff, colleagues, and the broader CLV community.
• Stay adaptable and steady in a dynamic environment, balancing competing priorities and responding thoughtfully when plans or circumstances change.
• Enjoy developing others, creating a supportive environment where staff can learn, grow, and contribute their strengths.
• Are energized by immersive language and cultural education and committed to creating a welcoming, engaging Village experience for participants and staff.

What You'll Do:

Program Leadership

• 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.

Staff Leadership

• 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.

Program Support & Operations

• 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.

Communication & Public Relations

• 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.

General Responsibilities of all Positions at Concordia Language Villages

Click here to view the General Responsibilities that apply to all Concordia Language Villages positions

• 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.

Essential Functions of a Summer Dean

Click here to view the complete list of Essential Functions of a Summer Dean

The essential functions of the summer dean position are listed below. Essential functions are the fundamental job duties or tasks that an employee (the dean) must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. These are statements of performance or ability necessary to fulfill the core or essential functions of the job of summer dean. These statements describe what it takes to do the job, without stipulating how. The list of essential functions is a supplement to the position description (and the position vacancy).

Auditory – A dean must possess auditory ability to monitor and assess the needs of their Village program. This includes but is not limited to:

• Hearing and interpreting information a staff member or client is communicating verbally, in both English and the target language.
• Communicating over the phone in both English and the target language.

Visual Acuity – A dean must possess visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary to carry out the dean’s job description. This includes but is not limited to:

• Observing and assessing individual(s) behavior(s), especially those salient to staff and youth development.
• Observing and assessing program activities for their reflection of program objectives.
• Observing and assessing non-verbal communication signals reflective of both English and the target language.
• Reading and understanding printed documents in both English and the target language.

Motor Function – A dean must have sufficient motor function, neuromuscular strength and coordination to effectively perform the activities required of a dean. Examples include but are not limited to:

• Moving from place to place within the village while carrying various objects.
• Attending and participating in Deans’/ Village Leadership Councils.
• Responding effectively in emergency situations.

Communication – A dean must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with clients, family members and staff in both English and the target language. This includes expressive and receptive modes of verbal, nonverbal and written communication. Examples include but are not limited to:

• Explaining Village policies and practices.
• Documenting assessment, action and responses of staff and clients to incidents as well as routine Village activities.
• Reading and assessing client, staff and program literature.
• Giving an accurate report of requested information to peers, parents and administration.
• Effectively hiring, orienting, leading, and coaching a staff team to provide the program.

Emotional Health – A dean must possess the emotional health required for full use of their intellectual abilities including the ability to:

• Prioritize competing demands; focus and maintain attention to necessary tasks.
• Function in stressful circumstances; deal with the unexpected (e.g., client crisis).
• Separate own needs and experiences in order to maintain objectivity and a client-centered program.
• Adjust to changing circumstances.
• Handle the strong emotions of others while controlling personal responses.

Behavioral – A dean must possess the ability to establish and maintain appropriate professional relationships. Factors included in this requirement are the ability to:

• Act ethically.
• Exercise sound (rational) judgment.
• Be compassionate.
• Develop mature, sensitive and effective relationships with clients, families and the CLV community.
• Complete all responsibilities attendant to the dean’s functional role.

Interpersonal Skills – A dean must be able to effectively interact with individuals and groups respecting social and cultural diversity. This includes but is not limited to:

• Negotiating interpersonal conflict (conflict management skills).
• Directing the activity of others through communication processes.
• Communicating sufficiently to direct the interaction of others in written and oral forms.
• Influencing the actions of others.

Provision of essential functions helps assure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Qualifications:

What We're Looking For

We’re looking for an experienced, collaborative leader who combines strong language and cultural knowledge with the organizational skills needed to lead a complex summer program. The ideal candidate understands immersion-based language education, communicates effectively in both the Village language and English, and is comfortable leading staff, managing competing priorities, and creating an engaging environment for young people.

Strong candidates will bring a commitment to the mission of Concordia Language Villages, sound judgment, and an interest in developing both programs and people. Previous leadership experience in CLV or a similar language-immersion environment is especially valuable, along with an interest in growing with the Village over multiple summers.

Required Education and Experience

• Intermediate-High or higher proficiency in Italian 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

Preferred Education and Experience

• 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.

Required Skills and Abilities

The candidate must be able to demonstrate the following:

• 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.

Employment Contingencies:

Background Check

Documents Needed to Apply

• Required Documents
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Optional Documents
• List of References
• Licensure
• Certification
• Training
• Other

Nondiscrimination Statement

Concordia College does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, public assistance status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other legally protected status. The College is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment and fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.

Inquiries regarding this policy may be directed to the Office of Human Resources, Concordia College, 901 8th Street South, Moorhead, MN 56562, 218-299-3339.