Applications are invited for the appointment of Director, Canadian Indigenous Languages and Literacy Development Institute (CILLDI), administered through the Department of Linguistics (Faculty of Arts) at the University of Alberta. CILLDI is an annual summer school committed to the revitalization of Canada’s Indigenous languages through language documentation techniques, linguistic training and second language teacher education. CILLDI was founded in 2000 and has offered nearly 80 courses and welcomed almost 400 individual students in its 12 years of operation. It is a tri-Faculty initiative at the University of Alberta, involving the Faculties of Arts, Education, and Native Studies. CILLDI’s purpose is to support individuals at the community level by providing basic training in linguistics, native languages, second language teaching methodologies, curriculum and resource development, and other aspects of professional enhancement such as language-related research and policy-making. An important aspect of CILLDI is the Community Linguist Certificate (CLC), offered through Linguistics and awarded by the Faculty of Arts. The CLC provides linguistic analysis and language documentation training to speakers of Canada’s Aboriginal languages who are interested in working towards the preservation of their languages.The Director will have the opportunity to lead the development of a successful and evolving institute and help advance university-community relationships. Key activities will include consulting with Aboriginal communities across Western Canada and beyond, developing and implementing a strategic plan in consultation with the Deans, working with experienced and dedicated staff to advance CILLDI knowledge and practice, liaising with U of A and Faculty of Arts Senior Administrators, Directors and instructors and ensuring human and financial resources for sustaining CILLDI operations. Some teaching during CILLDI and in the Department of Linguistics and/or Native Studies during the regular term will be expected.

Ideal candidates must have extensive experience in working with Indigenous and endangered language communities, as well as a strong record of research and teaching, especially in the teaching of Aboriginal languages as second languages, applied linguistics and technologies supporting the documentation of Aboriginal languages. The successful candidate will have demonstrated success in an administrative capacity, as well as strong leadership and communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of community partners, faculty, staff and students. A PhD is required.

This full-time contract academic appointment will take effect in September, 2013 for a two-year term. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications in accordance with the Contract Academic Staff: Teaching agreement (CAST).

To receive consideration, online letters of application (including a curriculum vitae and the names of three referees) and teaching dossier should be submitted by July 8, 2013.