Employment Opportunities

Employment Opportunities at Tara Mandala

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:

Code of Conduct and Ethics Agreement

Residential Agreement

Leadership Values

Open Positions

Finance Director

The role of the Finance Director is to oversee all financial planning for the organization by continually analyzing and assessing performance, retaining constant awareness of the organization’s financial position, and acting to reduce problems while implementing the organization’s strategic goals. The Finance Director reports to the Executive Director (ED) and is responsible for providing oversight and direction to the finance team. The Finance Director is responsible for managing the organization’s financial activities and accounts, setting up and overseeing the organization’s finance IT systems, managing and implementing the annual budget process, creating monthly financial reports for tracking the performance of each organizational department, and delivering monthly finance memos to the Tara Mandala Board of Trustees.

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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.

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Lama Live! Livestream Coordinator

The Lama Live! Livestream Coordinator will provide moderation and live streaming technical support for Lama Live!, with Lama Tsultrim, other Tara Mandala teachers and special guests as requested. This role will also provide technical support for Lama Tsultrim’s other Dharma Talks when offered and Collaborate with the Communications and Wisdom Rising Podcast team to ensure the selection of Lama Live episodes for upcoming podcasts.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Gift Shop Manager

The Gift Shop Manager is a full-time residential position at Tara Mandala, Pagosa Springs, Colorado and includes room and board (housing options based on housing availability) and other benefits. This role is responsible for managing the physical and online stores, including inventory, pricing, purchasing, customer service, and the fulfillment of orders as well as collaboration with the marketing team for campaigns.There may also be off-site event support in coordination with the Retreat Manager and Programs Manager. The Bookstore Manager reports directly to the Operations Director.

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Solo Retreatant Care

This role manages all aspects of solo retreatant care from processing applications, interviewing candidates, checking references, placing retreatants into and out of retreat cabins, and providing weekly care, including shopping for their food, water and other necessities.  Additionally overseeing the maintenance and cleanliness of the cabins working with the Operations Director and Work Manager. The Operations Director will be responsible for scheduling hours week to week for this position which may vary. This is a residential, onsite position at Tara Mandala. This position in the winter months is envisioned as 24 to 35  hours per week.

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Photo credit: Clinton Spence

Learn more about the culture at Tara Mandala:

Leadership Values »

Residential Agreement »