Residential Caretaker

This position is part of Spirit Rock’s Resident Staff Dharma program. This program allows participants to work, practice and live at Spirit Rock. The residential experience provides opportunities to grow in spiritual understanding and wisdom, and to learn how to practice living the teachings of the dharma in work and community.

Current Opening

• One opening exists - starting Summer 2023
• This position is a one year term
• This position is a commitment to extended service.
• Positions may be extended upon invitation by Spirit Rock.

JOB SUMMARY

Resident Caretakers/Facilities Staff (“Caretakers”) are cross-trained for a wide range of duties. The responsibilities are to support fully retreat operations including openings and closings, housekeeping and hospitality services for the entire campus including the teacher village and responding to the day to day needs typical for a meditation retreat center. Flexibility and an attitude of service are a requirement for this role.

Caretakers also train and provide oversight to extra-hires, volunteers and the incoming retreat practitioners. Additional responsibilities include; stocking and distribution of facilities supplies to the campus, picking up the mail and helping to coordinate parking onsite for retreats and events. All resident staff participate fully in supporting the safety and care of the staff and practitioners including outside of normal business hours. Caretakers share the responsibility for carrying and answering a cell phone used both for emergency calls and responding to visitors coming to the campus.

Other responsibilities, based on individual skills, may include: facilities maintenance and repair such as painting, light construction, landscaping and land and trail management.

QUALIFICATIONS

Position Qualifications

• Two - four years’ experience in one or more of the following: hospitality, housekeeping and/or maintenance.
• Ability to follow directions and complete tasks/projects on time and to specifications.
• Excellent communication skills; this position interfaces with others in all areas of Spirit Rock including staff (full-time and part-time), teachers, volunteers and practitioners attending both residential and non-residential retreats.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Docs.
• Open and pleasant attitude, flexibility, dependability, honesty and integrity.
• Covid-19 vaccine and booster required.

The following qualifications pertain to the position’s residential nature:

• A strong interest in service and community living
• The ability to live harmoniously in shared housing
• An established daily meditation practice and has sat at least one silent retreat, preferably a retreat at Spirit Rock.

Working Conditions

• This is an on-site residential staff position. Caretakers are provided housing on campus in the staff village
• The regular hours for the position are 37.5 hours/week but there will be overtime hours and regular days off are coordinated with the other Caretakers to ensure coverage seven days each week.
• Physical qualifications include the ability to:
  • Ability and comfortable working outdoors including frequent exposure to seasonal weather conditions.
  • Sit, walk and stand for extended periods including walking up and down steep hills and stairways.
  • Lift, carry, push or pull objects up to 40 pounds.
  • Perform moderately difficult manipulative tasks.
  • Drive a golf cart.
  • Communicate clearly on a telephone and walkie-talkie
  • This position will be exposed to chemical substances that are typical for maintenance, janitorial and landscaping work.
  • Must be able to regularly speak and write in English
  • Specific vision abilities required are close vision, middle distance vision and color vision

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Pay rate $15.71 per hour.
• Room and board at Spirit Rock is provided.
• Employer paid medical, dental and chiropractic/acupuncture plans.
• Paid vacation and sick time.
• Ten days of accrued retreat time at Spirit Rock within one-year of employment.
• Participation in the Spirit Rock Residential Staff Dharma program
  • Regular access to residential retreat dharma talks
  • Participation in guided meditations
  • Access to online programming
  • Regular morning residential community sits

APPLICATION PROCESS

Complete on-line application including application questions and provide references. This application process will include multiple interviews during which a candidate’s capacity to do the job and their compatibility with living in community will be assessed.

Spirit Rock is an equal opportunity employer, and we place a high value on workforce diversity; qualified candidates who self-identify as a Person of Color and/or who are part of the LGBTQI community are encouraged to apply.