Spanish Academic Year Cultural and Language Specialist 2026-2027 - Concordia Language Villages

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:
Spanish Academic Year Cultural and Language Specialist 2026-2027 - Concordia Language Villages

Position Type:
Seasonal

Location:
Bemidji, Minnesota, USA

Employment Type:
Seasonal Recreation Exempt

General Employment Period:
Periods of 4-12 months, starting months vary

General Work Schedule (days of week):
Seven days per week

General Shift Hours:
14 – 16 hours per day, plus overnight residential supervision responsibilities

Minimum Salary:
$500 per one week, plus room and board

Why Concordia Language Villages?

Deep in the North Woods of Minnesota, USA, Concordia Language Villages creates a place that is both culturally authentic and uniquely our own. In the Language Villages, everything from the music played to the dishes used in the dining hall reflect the cultures each was designed to represent. We are a community of educators from all corners of the globe, passionate about learning every minute of the day. Our mission is to inspire courageous global citizens through language and cultural immersion.

About the Role:

As an Academic Year Cultural and Language Specialist, you'll bring your language skills, cultural knowledge, and specialized expertise to Concordia Language Villages while helping create meaningful educational experiences for learners of varying ages and backgrounds. You'll collaborate with program leaders and other staff to develop and deliver immersive language and cultural programming, lead activities and presentations, and support the coordination of Academic Year programs.

Through teaching, cultural programming, community outreach, and collaboration, you'll have the opportunity to share your knowledge and skills while contributing to the exchange of language, culture, and ideas at the heart of the Concordia Language Villages experience.

Academic Year programs are offered periodically throughout the year, and schedules and program lengths vary. Employment opportunities are based on scheduled program needs and may vary in duration. To learn more about when programs are offered, please visit our Upcoming Camps and Programs page.

What You'll Do:

Specialists are experts in a field of specialized knowledge or skills who provide opportunities to increase the exchange of ideas with American counterparts.

• Be experts in a field of specialized knowledge or skill;
• Seek to travel to the United States for the interchange of knowledge and skills among foreign and American specialists by observing, consulting, or demonstrating their special knowledge or skills; and
• Not fill a permanent or long-term position of employment while in the United States.
• Educational enrichment: Participants experience an interchange of knowledge and skills among foreign and American specialists who are defined as experts in a field of specialized knowledge.

1. Program Coordination

1. Assist in communicating with set-up and custodial staff before/during/after programs and rentals as instructed
2. Assist in interface with the Culinary Arts department for all food service needs/concerns as instructed
3. Assist in working with retail management to ensure efficient operation of the Village store for each program
4. Assist in coordination with Health and Risk Management to ensure adherence to American Camping Association
   standards
5. Notify caretaker and facilities departments of any maintenance issues in a timely manner and through the appropriate
   channels
6. Outreach to the community
7. Play an active role in CLV’s recruitment and retention efforts through teaching language and culture to school children in
   the regions, presenting to various groups and organizations, and/or participating in service organization endeavors
8. Contribute to other programs, such as Teacher Workshops, etc.
9. Prepare and present cultural presentations for other organizations, as needed

2. Program Development, Implementation and Coordination

1. Assist in developing the program themes related to program curricula
2. Assist in pre-program preparation
3. Assist in preparing program-related resources for teachers and group leaders
4. Administer participant surveys and gather feedback. Fine-tune the program based on input from others to ensure
   continuous improvement.
5. Suggest materials to support the theme and related curriculum
6. Lead activities in line with the mission of Concordia Language Villages
7. Supervise the Village store and/or bank
8. Assist with teacher/group leader communication
9. Lead parts of the program as assigned by the program leader/ dean

3.Other Duties as Assigned

General Expectations of All Staff:

• Be familiar with and abide by Concordia Language Villages’ Personnel Policies.
• Promote the health, safety, and well-being of all staff members and participants.
• Develop and maintain collegial relationships among all staff, including support staff, for a productive working atmosphere at the Village that promotes the mission of the Language Villages.
• Speak the target language with participants and staff members as much as possible.
• Assist with setting up the Village, preparing for the next session, and maintaining the Village throughout the session.
• Model standards for behavior and be sensitive to the health and welfare of the villagers.

Essential Functions of All Positions

• Emotional resiliency and cognitive abilities to carry out job responsibilities specifically in the busy, noisy, communal environment that is the Village.
• Ability to establish and maintain appropriate professional relationships.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and manage your own needs in order to maintain a youth-centered program.
• Interpersonal skills to interact effectively with individuals and groups in respecting social and cultural diversity and to maintain appropriate boundaries.

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

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Effective verbal and written communication in Spanish and in English, Intermediate or higher
2. Previous Concordia Language Villages leadership experience
3. Previous curriculum development experience preferred
4. Completion of post-secondary education required/undergraduate degree equivalent
5. Must be able to adjust to new situation quickly, work independently with limited direct supervision while also leading a team and giving direction to others to achieve a common goal
6. Must be able to work with and relate positively to people from a variety of diverse backgrounds
7. Strong personnel and program management skills
8. Strong problem-solving skills
9. Skills in public relations
10. Language teaching experience
11. Work experience with children and adults
12. Skills in cultural/recreational activity areas
13. Skills in working with numbers in a variety of settings
14. Ability to plan several months ahead while remaining flexible to deal with last-minute changes

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Previous Concordia Language Villages or camping experience

Position Opening Date:
8/10/2026

Position Closing Date:
6/1/2027

Open Until Filled:
Yes

Employment Contingencies:
Background Check

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Documents Needed to Apply

• Required Documents
  • None
• Optional Documents
  • Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  • Cover Letter
  • 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.