Employment Dates: 06/20/2014 – 07/17/2012
The Resident Director is part of a community that creates an intensive four-week immersion study abroad program for high school students in the summer. Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy™ has become the gold standard for residential language and cultural immersion programs for secondary school students. Our Comillas Residential Academy features the same renowned curriculum and programming as our US-based academies to provide students the experience to immerse themselves in Spanish language and culture in one of the world’s most beautiful towns. The Resident Director works in close consultation with the year-round MMLA Staff and the on-site Program Director to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students in a structured environment. They will also supervise a residential staff.
All instructional staff are required to participate in pre-season curriculum training to understand the Academy’s educational mission and vision and to master and implement the immersion curriculum by adopting and practicing the Middlebury Immersion Methodology. All staff and students adopt the Middlebury Language Pledge©, modified as needed for the student age group and language level so that a full immersion environment is created.
The Resident Director works with the Program Director and Director of Educational Programs in the preseason to organize academy programming. Additionally, they coach their RA staff once onsite.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Pre-Season Responsibilities:
- Participate in preseason informational activities for families.
- Communicate with families as needed about special health and/or dietary concerns.
- Work closely with the Program Director and Director of Educational Programs in planning academy programming/events as well as onsite logistics needed to carry out programming.
Program Administration Responsibilities:
Work in close cooperation with other site administrators to ensure success of all aspects of the Academy.
- Create strong link between residential and academic aspects of the Academy.
- Create a supportive, safe, rewarding and fun environment for students and staff by understanding and utilizing the common sense, academy-tested, residential life guidelines, plans and policies.
- Accept leadership position in addressing student and staff discipline issues (as well as health and wellbeing matters) utilizing appropriate interventions and strategies in a timely and effective manner in collaboration with the Program Director and Director of Educational Programs.
- Converse with parents in a professional, tactful manner regarding student issues.
- Provide efficient and pertinent orientation session for all staff and faculty and specific training for residential staff.
- Solidify plans for and execute academy events
- Plans for and executes academy events ensuring they are organized and implemented through excellent project management skills.
Operational Responsibilities:
- Along with the Program Director, ensure planning and execution of all events is carried out: staff and student orientation, opening day, field trips, departure day and other special events as needed.
- Work with Program Director in planning and execution of daily excursions and activities.
- Carry out various logistical and operational aspects of running a site office; ensure all staff and faculty have supplies and information in order to complete their tasks.
- Effectively manage set up and take down of site.
- Assist the Program Director in with staff, student, and parental concerns.
- Supervise Residential Advisorsin organizing and implementing residential duty schedules.
- Maintain close working relationship with health center staff and serve as a resource for health related issues they encounter.
- Supervise Activities program, in collaboration with Residential Advisors.
- Demonstrate refined leadership and management skills in leading daily staff meetings and providing on-going training and support for residential staff.
- Participate in daily meeting with other administrators.
- Is “on call” 24/7 except for scheduled days off.
- Assume Program Director’s duties in his/her absence.
Professional Responsibilities:
- Participate in academy programming.
- Work to continually maintain a high-quality summer Academy through interaction, participation and visibility throughout the program.
- Support the Language Pledge.
- Communicate professionally and effectively to parents, students and other staff.
- Provide meaningful feedback to students.
- Work with other faculty, staff, and site administrators to create a successful Academy.
- Complete evaluations, reports and other documentation in a timely manner.
- Maintain comprehensive knowledge and utilization of the Academy policies and procedures to create a safe, supportive, rewarding environment for students and staff.
POSITION SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Oversees RAs and Health Center staff.
ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION:
This is a residential position. All employees will be provided room and board. They will have two full days off during the 4-week session. Airfare/transportation to/from Comillas will be paid for. Housing and transportation is not provided for family members. The Resident Director is expected to arrive on site no later than Friday, June 20, 2014 and to depart any time after 12 pm on Friday, July 18, 2014.
Preseason work is required for this position.
Experience and Skills:
Minimum Qualifications:
- Leadership experience with adolescents in a residential setting.
- Current experienced Spanish language educators and/or administrators.
- A minimum of two years of Spanish language teaching experience required.
Additional Qualifications:
- Well-versed in current world language pedagogy.
- Teacher training and professional development experience strongly preferred.
- Flexibility and willingness to operate in fast-paced environment.