Southern Dharma Retreat Center is a rural mountainous retreat center, where staff and volunteers live and work together. Full-time staff benefits include medical coverage, a monthly salary, two weeks of paid time off, housing, food and the opportunity to sit in on retreats. Staff support one another along the Path through spiritual community and friendship, operate and maintain the Center, provide for guests, and conduct retreats.
Southern Dharma is committed to creating an inclusive community of individuals of different backgrounds, gender identities, races, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages.
If you are interested in applying for a staff position and you have not sat a retreat at Southern Dharma, we ask that you visit the site either in person or virtually so that we can get to know one another. Please email [email protected] for more information about this option.
Staff Positions
Full-time, Residential, Salaried Positions
Retreat Cook/Housekeeper
Southern Dharma Retreat Center
Application materials will be accepted on a rolling basis beginning in early March, position is open until filled.
The Retreat Cook/Housekeeper will ideally start in late March 2025.
Classification: Full-time, permanent, non-exempt, residential
Compensation: $1,800 - $2,000 per month for full-time work, in addition to room and board (estimated value of $950 per month). For local candidates not needing room and board, a stipend will be offered. Benefits as described below:
- Full premium paid in group health insurance plan (Blue Cross Blue Shield NC), including dental and vision coverage;
- Paid Time Off (PTO): 15 days, plus Thanksgiving and 3 floating holidays per year;
- The work year goes from March 15 through January 7, with a winter respite from early January to mid-March; benefits continue year-round;
- Transferable voucher for 12 complimentary retreat nights at Southern Dharma per calendar year;
On the anniversary of each full year of service in a full-time staff position, employees are awarded $1,000.00 toward expenses associated with attending one pre-approved retreat at any location of their choosing; - Employees accrue ½ day of post-employment retreat time per month of employment;
- Participation in ongoing staff training opportunities.
Job Summary: The Retreat Cook/Housekeeper is responsible for overseeing the upkeep and cleanliness of Southern Dharma’s living, eating, and practice spaces in all property owned by Southern Dharma Retreat Center, as well as serving as retreat cook on scheduled work days while retreat is happening. The Retreat Cook/Housekeeper handles a variety of housekeeping and office-related tasks, supports the smooth running of retreats, assists with kitchen operations, and participates as a member of Southern Dharma's residential staff community.
Our ideal candidate is an adaptable self-starter with the ability to take initiative and prioritize tasks and must have superior communication and interpersonal skills. This individual will also possess high attention to detail and the ability to resolve issues in a timely manner.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Reports to both Facilities & Housekeeping Manager and Kitchen Manager
- Oversees housekeeping of Lodge, Meditation Hall, Teacher’s Cottage, kutis (single cabins), and outdoor facilities to maintain cleanliness, comfort, and aesthetics
- Serves as relief cook as required by the retreat schedule (3-5 days each week during retreat)
- Supervises retreat participants during working meditation periods, house cleaning tasks and food prep/kitchen tasks
- Purchases and maintains adequate inventory of housekeeping items and supplies for the Meditation Hall including linens, cleaning supplies, paper products, over-the-counter medications, disposable toiletries, cushions and zabutons, benches, chairs, decor, unscented candles, low/no-smoke incense, and other altar/meditation supplies as needed
- Communicates with those purchasing for kitchen and facilities regarding any overlapping suppliers or items
- Assists in the operation of the office—e.g., with filing, record-keeping, and phone
- Performs light duty maintenance tasks–e.g. changing light bulbs
- Collaborates with other staff to propose and implement environmental sustainability measures to minimize harm, improve the quality of the experience for guests, and conserve resources.
- Assists with all in-person and remote programs as needed
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Physically ability to operate cleaning equipment such as: vacuum cleaners, brooms, spray bottles
Proficiency in the Google suite applications (Google Drive, Mail, Docs, Sheets, Forms) in a collaborative work environment - Ability to organize, teach, and supervise as many as five volunteers working in the kitchen or various housekeeping tasks simultaneously
- Ability to track credit card/receipts and submit reports in a timely manner.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills – able to communicate clearly with a pleasant, warm, and personable demeanor, remaining patient even with difficult people
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills with ability to multitask
- Excellent follow-through and attention to detail
- Willingness to accept supervision and take direction when asked
- Self-starter able to see what needs to be done and do it
- Experience using standard kitchen equipment and preparing basic foods
- Physically able to lift up to 50lbs and to live and work in steep, rugged mountain terrain
- Good to excellent driving record
Preferred:
- Minimum 1 year’s experience working in a retreat center or other hospitality environment
Prior experience working in a professional kitchen environment and/or preparing simple meals for groups of 25-30 - Knowledge of environmentally friendly cleaning agents and procedures
- Volunteer management and special events planning skills and experience
- Experience with conflict management approaches, including but not limited to NVC (Nonviolent Communication)
- Experience with personal meditation practice, Buddhist retreats, and contemplative spiritual practice
Other requirements:
- Willing to work weekends (March through New Year’s)
- Willing to work a split shift (8:30-12:30 / 4-8)
- Willing to work and live cooperatively with a small community of resident staff and participate in daily communal meditation practice
- Register and complete ServeSafe training within first 30 days of employment
- Must obtain a North Carolina driver’s license within 30 days of employment
- Must pass a criminal background check
Physical demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, handle tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.
Work environment:
Works in clean, well-lighted, heated and ventilated buildings. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
How to Apply:
Send resume and cover letter to [email protected]; include “Retreat Cook/Housekeeper” in the subject line.
In your cover letter, please be sure to state why you are interested in this position and what gifts and talents you would bring to our workplace. We would also like to know about your background with Buddhist practice, meditation retreats, and/or your experience with communal living.
