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
Kitchen Manager
The Kitchen Manager/Head Cook of Tara Mandala oversees a small community and commercial kitchen serving up to three, primarily organic vegetarian meals and a snack each day during formal onsite retreats. Serving approximately 15 staff members during non-retreat season with lunch 5 days a week and some soups/stews for dinner. Breakfast, weekends, and some evenings are self-serve with leftovers or residents cook for themselves.
During retreats meals are prepared for 50 to 100 or more participants during retreat season in a buffet style. Tara Mandala is a predominantly an organic vegetarian kitchen. 25-40 hours per week.
Residential 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.
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.
Temple Manager
The Temple Manager position is an exempt employee position that maintains the overall environment of the Temple, which includes but is not limited to the cleanliness and organization of the temple both during and after retreats, the daily upkeep of the shrines, and reporting of any maintenance or repair issues. The Temple manager will keep the temple clean and will have it prepared for all events. The Temple Manager will also be responsible for the preparation of any pujas on the land. The Temple Manager should be organized, friendly, welcoming, helpful, and a problem solver. In addition to the following duties and responsibilities, the Temple Manager can be called upon and expected to perform other various tasks and assignments as requested. The starting pay for this position is $15 per hour plus room & board. The weekly hours will vary from 20-40 hours per week.
Photo credit: Clinton Spence