Dechen Chöling is a place of beauty and bliss, the atmosphere is marked by timeless continuity of change and the willingness of everyone to create the space in which we can work with ourselves and others. Three months might feel like three years or vice versa.

Head of Office

Paid position, private accommodation: Open - now

The Head of Personnel is responsible for leading and overseeing the human resources activities at Dechen Chöling. Central to this position is developing, implementing and maintaining personnel policies, procedures and practices that help bring to life the vision and practicality of Shambhala here at Dechen Chöling.

The Head of Personnel is a busy managerial position. Some of the key activities include recruiting long-term core staff and seasonal volunteers, coordinating & administering staff benefits, organizing and providing staff training, mentoring and coaching staff, overseeing staff arrivals and departures, participating in weekly management meetings, and preparing staffing plans and reports etc.

Ideally, applicants will have excellent people and relationship management skills and be able to quickly establish effective working relationships with others, to demonstrate empathy and sensitivity, to develop trust and credibility, and to maintain these even during periods of challenge or constraint. Applicants will be effective communicators with an ability to listen and understand others, and to express themselves clearly both verbally and in writing. In addition to speaking English, the ability to speak French and/or other European languages would be a definite advantage. Applicants will be effective managers and organizers of their own time and tasks, and be able to support others to do the same. They will be able to manage and prioritize a busy workload, and to maintain a sense of equanimity and good humour. It is preferred that applicants are Shambhala practitioners, have previous experience in personnel work, and are able to make a two year commitment. Apply here

Head of Personnel

Paid position, private accommodation: Open - now

The Head of Office is responsible for overseeing, coordinating and organizing all the activities associated with the Front Office and Guest Reception at Dechen Chöling. Central to this position is creating and maintaining an uplifted and welcoming environment, and providing a responsive and professional service for the many people who have contact with Dechen Chöling, be it face-to-face, by email, by phone or by post.

The Head of Office reports to the Operations Manager, and is required to actively liaise with and coordinate their activities with other Heads of Department e.g. Programs, Kitchen, Household, Finance. Some of the key activities are processing registrations, assigning accommodation, organizing transports, receiving and responding to correspondence, ordering office supplies, supervising an office assistant in the summer, and attending operational management meetings.

Ideally, applicants will have excellent people and communication skills, and be able to quickly establish a genuine rapport with others, making them feel welcomed and their needs attended to. It is essential that applicants are able to speak French, in addition to English, and the ability to speak other European languages would be a plus. Applicants will be excellent organizers and coordinators with the ability to plan and prepare effectively for program arrivals and exits, to process influxes of registrations, and to remain calm, attentive and good humored when faced with many people and tasks all wanting attention at the same time. Applicants will also have excellent information and communication/computer technology skills and be able to skillfully use telephone systems, Microsoft Office software, databases, the internet and email etc. It is preferred that applicants are Shambhala practitioners, have prior experience in office and guest reception work (if possible, in a supervisory role), and can make a commitment for one year or longer. Apply here

Job openings for Volunteers

Beginning in April 2009 and June 2009 Dechen Chöling will offer a Summer Volunteer Programme open to anyone with an interest in the Shambhala Buddhist teachings. Come spend all or part of the summer as a volunteer staff member, practicing and studying in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition, and earning credit towards future programmes. Please see the Summer Volunteer programme page for more information.