About Tara Mandala
Tara Mandala is a vibrant international Buddhist Community with groups around the world. It was established in 1993 by Lama Tsultrim Allione and her late husband, David Petit, to foster the development of innate wisdom for the benefit of all beings. The hub of the Tara Mandala community is the 700-acre dharma center in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Through the center and the Global Sanghas, Tara Mandala offers a complete path of meditation practice, study, and deep retreat in the tradition of Vajrayana Buddhism. Tara Mandala is dedicated to bringing people to realization through the Buddhist teachings. Tara Mandala is committed to fostering a welcoming atmosphere for all people to explore the teachings of the Buddha, and we are committed to cultivating a community that values diversity and inclusion.
“Tara Mandala was created to bring people together to support each other, practice, and do retreat in order to reach realization. The second purpose of Tara Mandala is to be a temenos for the emergence of the sacred feminine, through the lens of Vajrayana, leading to the balance of genuine partnership between the masculine and feminine in our world.” – Lama Tsultrim Allione
Tara Mandala seeks candidates who are familiar with and live by Buddhist principles, including the 5 precepts and the 10 virtuous actions. We strive to have an open heart, cultivate compassion and empathy for others whether co-workers, visitors or retreatants. We are here to serve the Dharma first and foremost.
All residential positions at Tara Mandala’s Retreat Center in Pagosa Springs, require proof of a Covid Vaccination in order to keep residents and participants safe. Other Covid protocols as set by the local and state officials must be followed as well and may change week to week.
Tara Mandala, staff, board, teachers and visitors are expected and committed to adhere to the following Codes and Policies:
Open Positions
Residential Retreat Manager
The Residential Retreat Manager works closely with the Program Manager and Operations Manager to make sure all retreats run smoothly at Tara Mandala. During the retreat season, the Retreat Manager is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of all the programs and retreats at Tara Mandala. The Retreat Manager reports to the Operations Director and Program Manager and is overseen by the Executive Director. This is a seasonal position with the potential to be year-round with additional non-retreat season duties. This is an hourly 20 to 30 hours a week, non exempt, residential position, based at Tara Mandala, in Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Maintenance Staff
The maintenance staff position is an important role at Tara Mandala, and is key to the functioning of the land, buildings, including our beautiful 3-story Tara Temple. The maintenance staff role is a residential position including room and board at Tara Mandala’s Retreat Center in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. The position requires general experience in all facets of building maintenance, water and septic systems, small solar systems, road maintenance, etc. Ability to handle small construction projects is a plus. Good communications skills and ability to work as a team and individually is required. This position reports to the Land/Facilities Manager, and Operations Director.
Facilities and Land Manager
Working closely with the Operations Director, the Land Manager manages the land, infrastructure, and related systems, including water, septic, storm drainage, forest management, gardens, and roads, including snow plowing in the winter months. The Land Manager ensures Tara Manadala’s Retreat Center operates in a safe, and efficient manner, and that facilities support our activities and programs at all times. The Land Manager has an understanding of infrastructure systems, maintenance procedures and general construction practices, including use of vehicles, tractors, chainsaws and power tools. The Land Manager also oversees and works with various vendors that provide services to the retreat center and/or are hired for specific improvement or repair projects. The Land Manager reports directly to the Operations Director (OD).
Resident Cook
The resident cook staff position is an important on-site role at Tara Mandala’s Retreat Center, and the heart of our retreat center. This is an hourly non-exempt position of 20-30 hours per week which may increase to 40 hours during retreat season. Requires ability to prepare vegetarian meal(s) for Staff/Residents during the off season and assists the Head Cook/Kitchen Manager during the retreat season. Requires 2 years or more working in a formal commercial kitchen and ability to work as a team and individually is required as well. An interest in Buddhism and living in a spiritual community is preferred.
Housekeeping Manager
The Housekeeping Manager position is an on-site, residential position that oversees all aspects of housekeeping at Tara Mandala’s Retreat Center. This position is part-time, 20-30 hours per week which may increase to 40 hours during retreat season. Requires cleaning for staff regularly and retreatants during season. This role will also assist the Retreat Manager with setup for programs and retreats as needed. Requires working with and helping manage work exchange participants during retreat season. Requires 2 years or more of housekeeping experience of similar size, scope, and complexity. An interest in Buddhism and living in a spiritual community is preferred.
Audio/Video Technician and IT Support
The Audio/Video Technician and IT Support is an on-site, residential position that is focused on the live streaming, recording, preservation, and dissemination of our teaching content. This position is part-time, 20-30 hours per week which may increase to 40 hours during retreat season. This includes video and audio materials for our online programs, digital content and archival work for the benefit of the Tara Mandala Community and the broader community through our website and other media. The position also includes providing onsite IT technical support, including supporting our computers, servers and networks, and printers. The IT role includes setting up computers for live streaming, organizational wide meetings, etc.
Online Programs Coordinator
The Programs Coordinator will assist in the delivery of online programs. This entails all aspects of development and execution, and on-screen moderation of live webcasts. The Programs Coordinator will act as a Zoom session moderator for these programs to ensure a professional presentation and will coordinate with teachers in advance to both support the teacher and ensure the program content meets our standards. The Programs Coordinator will also assist with use and maintenance of programs-related content in platforms such as Learndash, Retreat Guru, Mighty Networks, and others. The Programs Coordinator reports to the Programs Manager on a daily basis, and Programs Director overall.
Photo credit: Clinton Spence