Languages Resource Center, Coordinator

The Department of World Languages at Boise State University invites applications for a full-time Professional Staff position as World Languages Resource Center Coordinator. The position of World Languages Resource Center (WLRC) Coordinator is a multifaceted position that is centered on lab operations, in particular the organization and delivery of our conversation labs to language students. These conversation labs, funded by a course fee attached to all lower-division (as well as some language sections’ 300-level) language courses, entail weekly half-hour conversation labs facilitated by a student who is either a native or advanced speaker of the language in question or, when necessary, a faculty member.

Conversation labs provide intensive, strategic language listening/receptive practice and speaking/expressive practice opportunities for our students in small groups of 7 participants each, across all of our language programs (currently 11). The WLRC Coordinator position is vital to the programming on which all of our lower-division students and faculty rely, and that is moreover a critical component of ensuring progress in aural/receptive and oral/expressive language proficiency.

The Department of World Languages currently offers majors in three languages, minors and certificates in nine languages, and language instruction in eleven languages. The Department of World Languages’ mission is to practice and foster linguistic, cultural, and critical thinking competencies that will allow students to succeed in a wide variety of careers both in Idaho and around the world. Our department’s mission aligns with key components of both the College of Arts and Sciences’ and the Boise State University’s mission statements.

Central to the COAS mission statement is the aim “to enhance the ethical and cultural foundation of society through education, research, creative activity and community engagement” and, in so doing, to have faculty, staff and students “discover and share knowledge and engage and enrich our local and global communities.” Similarly, Boise State’s mission, key themes and vision all emphasize our university’s objective to provide an innovative, educational environment that prepares students to successfully make “statewide and global impact.”

Our philosophy is to promote respect, understanding, tolerance, and celebration of cultures worldwide. (https://www.boisestate.edu/worldlang/)

Provides direct supervision typically to professionals or skilled technical employees at the entry or intermediate level. Functions as advisor to unit and administration and sets goals and objectives for team members for achievement of operational results. Analyzes and resolves problems through drawing from prior experiences. Interprets policies (e.g., fiscal management, HR, contracts and grants, resource management in defined areas) and demonstrates solid subject matter knowledge.

Exercises judgment within defined procedures and policies to determine appropriate action. Supervises staff to assure accountability and stewardship of campus resources (operational, financial, and human) in compliance with departmental goals and objectives.

60% of Time the WLRC Coordinator must:

• Hire, train and supervise the student lab assistants who provide WLRC support, conversation lab in the target language, and study groups in English for language learners in all languages taught in WL.
• Oversee and coordinate the work of student conversation lab and desk assistants who monitor the computer lab and assist students with class lab assignments, registration for labs, device and book check-out and other academic issues.
• Support the university’s…