Deadline for Applications: Ongoing Until Filled
The University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Russian and East European Studies (REES) is seeking a qualified Resident Director (RD) to accompany a group of undergraduates to Narva, Estonia this summer. The program runs for 8 weeks—from June 18 – August 13, 2017—though the RD will likely need to arrive one week before the students. While in Narva, the students will engage in the intensive study of Russian at the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-year levels. In addition to formal class time, students participate in a comprehensive set of lectures and excursions.
The RD receives a generous salary as well as roundtrip airfare to Narva, Estonia, accommodations in Narva, daily breakfasts (7 days a week), and work-day lunches (5 days a week).
Primary responsibilities of the Resident Directorship include:
· Attend all pre-departure orientation sessions conducted by the University of Pittsburgh for participating students; participation via Skype is fine.
· Run in-country orientation with entire group of students upon group’s arrival to Narva, Estonia.
· Enforce a Russian-only language policy while students are on campus and on all program-related excursions, lectures, and activities; actively encourage students and all program staff (including staff at the College with whom students have frequent interaction) to speak only in Russian. Actively converse with the students in the target language at all times, but especially during coffee breaks, group meals, excursions, etc.
· While in country, liaising with primary point of contact at Narva College of University of Tartu to ensure all program components are being carried through.
· Organize and facilitate all pre- and post-program proficiency tests. Help administer all required language proficiency exams (i.e., OPIs and the American Councils for International Education reading and listening exams) during the final week of the program. All tests will be conducted online. Coordinate as necessary with Narva College staff to schedule use of computers.
· Attend and help to arrange (as needed) all excursions, lectures, and out-of-class activities.
· Submit weekly reports to the REES Associate Director detailing all events of the week, including any student illnesses, disciplinary matters, or other concerns.
· You must have a cell phone that is operational 24/7. You must distribute your number to all students, all program instructors and administrators, and be on-call.
· Prepare students for all program-related excursions and lectures, accompany students on all program-related excursions and at lectures, and run regular debriefing sessions with the students following excursions and lectures.
· During the third week of classes, hold a meeting with each student to check-in on his/her progress both academically and socially. Make recommendations to the student to increase his/her success in the program as needed.
· Be available for student consultations as needed outside regular class time.
Competitive applicants will have experience with study abroad programming, a minimum of advanced-level Russian language proficiency, and past work experience that provides evidence of superior organizational and communication skills.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Please send a cover-letter, CV, and names and contact information of two professional references who can speak to your qualifications for this position to Dawn Seckler (dawn.seckler@pitt.edu).