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Inquiries regarding compliance may be directed to the Director, Human Resources, Concordia College, 901 8th Street South, Moorhead, MN 56562, Lorentzsen Hall, Room 150, 218-299-3339. We are committed to providing equal opportunity in the recruitment process for qualified individuals with disabilities.
If you need assistance with the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at [email protected] or 218-299-3339, or visit the Human Resources Home Page.
Position Details
Position Title:
Returning Program Leader (Village Dean)
Position Type:
Seasonal
Employment Type:
Seasonal Recreation Exempt
Location:
Bemidji
General Employment Period:
January-August January –June: accounts for 20% of salary and is spent hiring summer staff and planning programs for the summer. June – August: In residence in Bemidji during the summer season.
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.
Minimum Salary:
Base salary is $940/week for three weeks in residence, with the possibility of an additional two weeks. Salary increases possible based on education and experience. The total salary for the three 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.
Job Summary:
IMPORTANT ELIGIBILITY NOTICE
This posting is intended solely for individuals who have previously been employed by Concordia Language Villages in a Program Leader (Dean) role and are eligible to return.
Individuals who have not previously served as a Program Leader (Dean) with Concordia Language Villages should not apply through this posting. Applications submitted by individuals without prior employment in this role will not be considered.
Submission of an application does not guarantee reappointment. All reappointments are contingent on program needs, performance history, and institutional approval.
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
The dean (summer language program director) of a Concordia Language Village is responsible for the overall leadership and operations of the summer program of their individual Village. This includes planning, recruiting, and implementation in the areas of program, staff, budget, operations, interpretation of CLV policies to Village staff, and public relations.
The dean is responsible for implementing a program that reflects the mission of Concordia Language Villages. The dean is a member of the Language Community, which is also made up of academic year program leaders for both residential and virtual programs, and participates in the Village Leadership Council. Like Academic Year program leaders, the dean reports to the Program Director responsible for their Village, and to the administrative team as a whole.
Program-
Work in a productive, collegial relationship with CLV seasonal and year-round staff to enhance and further the development and implementation of a strong language and cultural program.
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Be in residence and an active and visible member of your Language Village.
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Initiate or continue development and implementation of a linguistically and culturally appropriate curriculum for the Village, working in consultation with colleagues and CLV central administration, including the creation or procurement of necessary materials.
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Develop or maintain the educational program and schedule, within the philosophy of Concordia Language Villages.
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Attend Village Leadership Councils for the purpose of organizing summer programs, strategic and long-range planning and professional enrichment.
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Ensure that the Village program is operated in accordance with the standards of Cognia (credit programs) and the American Camp Association (ACA), and in accordance with the policies of Concordia
- College and Concordia Language Villages.
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Facilitate the gathering of informal and ongoing feedback on the Village program by villagers and staff. CLV central staff also survey staff and villager guardians for feedback.
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Consult with Language Villages administrators on issues and questions of program needs, policy, and program implementation.
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Promote the health, safety and well-being of all participants.
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Keep current with professional development in the areas of immersion-based language education, target language and culture-specific matters, and child and youth development in order to implement best practices within the Village.
Staffing-
Be an active and visible member of your Language Village, including not only staff supervision but also leading staff through conflict resolution and CLV policies and norms.
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Review summer seasonal staff applications, conduct candidate interviews and hire in accordance with the Hiring Manual. Onboard staff to Village-specific information.
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Direct the implementation of Individual Village Orientation within the context of Summer Staff Orientation before commencement of the program and carry out ongoing staff training throughout the season.
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Promote the health, safety and well-being of all staff members.
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Develop and maintain collegial relationships among all staff for a productive working atmosphere at the Village that promotes the mission of the Language Villages.
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Serve as the primary liaison between the Village staff and the CLV central administrators and staff.
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Assign and delegate staff responsibilities appropriately while remaining the primary contact person for parent phone calls, dismissals, discipline, and conversations with parents of villagers and with staff
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Conduct regular staff meetings for purposes of communication, logistical planning and educational improvement of the program.
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Conduct or arrange for regular performance appraisals of all staff members.
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Implement Concordia Language Villages policies and procedures and coordinate disciplinary action if necessary, per Dean Manual guidelines.
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Foster professional development and growth among staff members.
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Support the staff recruitment process.
Program Support (finance, operations, facilities, health and risk management)-
Be a steward of your Language Village site, resources and relationships.
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Ensure effective communication between your Village program and CLV Central administrators and staff.
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Keep inventory of and submit orders for curricular materials, store items, foreign currency, office supplies and other program needs according to established timelines and procedures .
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Monitor and adhere to budget relating to program expenditures and staffing.
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Collaborate with program, operations, and facilities administrators and facilities personnel.
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Ensure the coordination of program and support staff.
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Coordinate all opening and closing procedures of your Village.
Communication and 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.
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Represent the Language Villages program and philosophy as requested by administrators and as a part of Concordia College.
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Support the administrative team in content development for publications, websites and other promotional initiatives.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications-
Prior employment as a Program Leader (Dean) at Concordia Language Villages
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Intermediate-High or higher proficiency in Target Language and English
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Commitment to immersion language and cultural education
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Knowledge of effective teaching strategies and methodologies for second language learning
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Excellent oral and written communication skills
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Strong organizational and management skills
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Bachelor’s degree in a related field
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Minimum age of 25 (American Camp Association standard)
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Ability to perform the essential functions of the dean position (see below)
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Availability for all orientation and session dates
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Possess valid work authorization for the United States
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Reside in the United States
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Commitment to the missions of Concordia College and Concordia Language Villages; and to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Preferred Qualifications-
Master’s degree in a related field
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Previous leadership position at Concordia Language Villages or in a similar, language-immersion environment
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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.
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 his/her their Village program. This includes but is not limited to:
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Hearing and interpreting information a staff member or client is communicating verbally, in both English and the target language.
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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:
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Observing and assessing individual(s) behavior(s), especially those salient to staff and youth development.
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Observing and assessing program activities for their reflection of program objectives.
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Observing and assessing non-verbal communication signals reflective of both English and the target language.
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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:
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Moving from place to place within the village while carrying various objects.
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Attending and participating in Deans’/ Village Leadership Councils.
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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:
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Explaining Village policies and practices.
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Documenting assessment, action and responses of staff and clients to incidents as well as routine Village activities.
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Reading and assessing client, staff and program literature.
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Giving an accurate report of requested information to peers, parents and administration.
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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 his/her/their intellectual abilities including the ability to:
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Prioritize competing demands; focus and maintain attention to necessary tasks.
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Function in stressful circumstances; deal with the unexpected (e.g., client crisis).
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Separate own needs and experiences in order to maintain objectivity and a client-centered program.
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Adjust to changing circumstances.
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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:
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Act ethically.
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Exercise sound (rational) judgment.
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Be compassionate.
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Develop mature, sensitive and effective relationships with clients, families and the CLV community.
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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:
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Negotiating interpersonal conflict (conflict management skills).
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Directing the activity of others through communication processes.
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Communicating sufficiently to direct the interaction of others in written and oral forms.
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Influencing the actions of others.
Provision of essential functions helps assure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Position Opening Date:
12/23/2025
Position Closing Date:
Open Until Filled:
Yes
Screening Begins:
12/15/2025
EEO/AA Statement:
Concordia College will not discriminate against or harass any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, sex, religion, national origin, age, veteran’s 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.
Employment Contingencies
Background Check
Special Instructions to Applicants:
This posting is not intended for new applicants. Individuals who have not previously served as a Program Leader (Dean) with Concordia Language Villages should monitor the Concordia Language Villages employment page for future leadership opportunities.
Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents-
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
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Cover Letter
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Optional Documents
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List of References
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Licensure
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Certification
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Training
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Other
