The Middlebury College Summer Arabic School is pleased to announce a vacancy for a temporary Lead Bilingual Assistant in Arabic. The position is available during the summer 2023 session, located on the campus of Bennington College in Bennington, Vermont. Our unique 8-week program combines a cultural immersion environment with rigorous daily classroom instruction.

Essential to the functioning of each Language School, the Lead Bilingual Summer Staff member organizes and implements multiple facets of the academic and non-academic operations of the School; provides tutoring, co-curricular, and residential support to students; works under the supervision of the School Assistant Director and Director in the organization of School operations; and assists Faculty in all language related activities outside of the classroom.

The Lead Bilingual will be the liaison between the Directors (Director, Assistant Director and Associate Directors) and the Arabic School staff, faculty and students. This person will supervise the other bilinguals by ensuring tasks are completed. The Lead Bilingual will also, with support of the Assistant Director, work closely with the Bennington College staff on daily operations.

Tasks may include, but are not limited to:

Act as on-site supervisor for staff.

Create weekly and daily schedules for all staff.

Create posters for events, send out email announcements…etc.

Organize event details, in partnership with the Assistant Director and Bennington College.

Be responsible for the Arabic School credit card and receipts. Ensure all are properly filed with the Assistant Director.

Other duties assigned by the Director, Assistant Director and Associate Directors.

In addition to hourly compensation, lodging and meals will be provided.

Responsibilities are grouped into 7 broad areas, beginning with the most essential. An “*” next to a responsibility means that all Summer Staff will be involved in this task.

(1) Program ambassador

Serves as a primary in-language point of contact for students and faculty. Knowledgeable about the program as well as campus resources and policies.*

Actively engages with students, providing tutoring, encouragement, and support outside of class, during meals and activities and in the dorms, offices, and social spaces.*

Encourage students’ commitment to the Language Pledge and the rigorous learning environment.*

Serves as official representative of the School, the Language Schools’ administration, and the Middlebury community.*

(2) Student life

Represents the School administration in the dorms and social spaces, especially on evenings and weekends.*

Resides in dorms. Provides guidance and non-academic support. Monitors adherence to the Language Pledge. Organizes social activities in the dorms.*

Responds to student emergencies and urgent situations. Directs students to appropriate offices and resources, academic and non-academic.*

(3) Co-curricular activities and events

Facilitates the School’s cultural program, an integral part of the immersion-based academic experience. Liaises with campus offices including but not limited to public safety, dining services, events management, media services, print shop, theater, and facilities services.*

Designs, plans, and implements complex school-wide cultural events. Assists in regular co-curricular activities. *

Represents director by acting as host to official guests, including lecturers, performers, visiting artists, etc.*

Assists faculty, guests, and the director at/with lectures, performances, and other events.*

Coordinates inter-school activities.

Attends program events as crowd managers and “animators” (enthusiastic leaders).*

(4) Tutoring and pedagogical support

Provides regular tutoring hours to assist students with homework, grammar, pronunciation, etc.

Engages in conversation practice outside of class.*

Assists with student testing.

(5) Technology

Provides general IT support for faculty, guests, and students (on School and personal devices).*

Provides curricular technology training and support for faculty.

Manages circulation of School technology, equipment, and film archive.

Provides technical support at events, from basic a/v at lectures to sound and light design at staged performances.

Provides classroom technical support, as requested by faculty.

(6) Communications

Communicates with students and faculty on a variety of platforms: email, website, social media, print media, announcements.*

Designs and edits web content, especially on instructional in-language sites.

Develops media content and disseminates publications, including calendars, newspaper, posters, event programs, etc.

Manages photography and videography. Edits photo and video content. Prepares slideshows, photo exhibits, event videos, etc.

Translates School and other official Middlebury documents.*

(7) School office

Administers School office.

Serves as in-language point of contact for students, faculty, and guests needing drop-in assistance.

Scheduling of events and activities.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree strongly preferred. Advanced degree a plus.

Native or near-native proficiency in target language and English, oral and written.

Demonstrated organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills (both oral and written).

Ability to work with people of all ages and levels (students, professionals, and colleagues).

Must be willing to take initiative and assume responsibility, but also work collaboratively as part of a team.

Candidates should submit:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Two letters of recommendation

The applications will be reviewed beginning January 14, 2023, but the positions will remain open until filled. This position is for summer of 2023.