UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES
Interested? Know someone who might be a good fit for these unique opportunities?
Unless otherwise indicated, please contact the Dharma Centre at info@dharmacentre.org for all inquiries.
Dharma Centre of Canada — General Manager
Position: Full time, live-in residency
Application Due Date: January 15, 2025 or until position is filled
The Dharma Centre of Canada is a charitable non-profit organization with the mission of carrying on the instruction and practice of meditation, the study of philosophy and religion, and the performance of charitable works in Canada. Founded in 1966 by the Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche, the Dharma Centre of Canada is one of the oldest meditation centres in North America. The DCC provides a peaceful environment for group and solo retreats and courses of varying lengths and times.
The Centre’s 400-acre forested property, located near Kinmount, Ontario, is located on the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations. The Dharma Centre also acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity. We are all Treaty people. We also recognize the unique history, culture and traditions of Métis, Inuit, and other First Nation People for their wisdom, contributions and teaching. In the spirit of reconciliation, the Dharma Centre is committed to deepening its knowledge of and relationships with local Indigenous communities. We also wish to ensure that the land acknowledgment is inclusive of all the traditional and current Métis, First Nation and Indigenous communities that currently inhabit the land.
The DCC hosts numerous qualified teachers from different Paths of Awakening including meditation masters, innovative scientists, artists, and healers. Meeting current demands, online and hybrid programming are a growing feature of DCC’s offerings. The DCC is overseen by a Board of Directors, elected by its members.
JOB PURPOSE
The General Manager (GM) is a critical position for the DCC. The ideal candidate for this position would be a self starter, a compassionate and experienced leader, a strategic thinker, and a natural relationship builder. The GM will live at the DCC and be responsible for operational matters in areas including finance, property management, supervision of staff and volunteers, kitchen management, and retreat management, in liaison with the DCC Administrator/Retreat Coordinator. Reporting to the Board of Directors regularly, the GM would be a team player interested in helping to maintain and support a positive experience for guests and visitors to the DCC. This is a salaried, live-in position in our main house which includes room and board.
KEY ACTIVITIES
Property Management
Ensures operations at the DCC complies with all relevant statutory requirements including but not limited to areas of health and safety, fire protection and prevention, employment standards.
Participates in prioritizing, establishing time lines and budgets for specific projects on the property and ensures they are executed in collaboration with members of the Maintenance Committee and approval of Board of Directors.
Helps finalize food budgets and works cooperatively with cooks.
Provides current food inventory to cooks prior to retreats.
Supports the maintenance and cleanliness of the kitchen according to the Ontario Public Health standards. This includes periodic inspections by the Health Dept. throughout the year.
Oversees and contributes to tasks in regards to property maintenance which include but not limited to grass cutting, snow clearing/sanding, trail clearing and taking waste and recycling to the dump.
Ensures that the parking area near Main House is clear and open during all seasons.
Ensures that signage on the property is properly painted and maintained, and additional signage is installed as needed. This includes stylized maps, and directional and warning signs as required.
Works with the Chair of the Maintenance Committee and is an active member of the Maintenance Committee, keeping the committee up to date on all issues related to maintenance and the safe reliable functioning of the DCC.
Liaise with staff and server meditators responsible for cleaning to ensure that the site is in good condition.
In conjunction with the Administrator:
Recruitment and Supervision of Staff, Volunteers, and Karma Yogis
Supports the screening, hiring and orientation of cooks with the support of Chair of Staffing Committee (Human Resources).
Supports the screening and selection of server-meditator applicants with the support of HR
Helps maintain a short-list of candidates of temporary and casual support staff needed for events, courses and retreats, and for clerical and administrative support as needed.
Helps arrange replacements or substitutes of other staff as needed.
Supervises server-meditators, including delegation of work – cleaning, and offering training and support as needed, including accommodations.
Responds effectively and immediately to concerns raised by all staff members, server-meditators and volunteers. If not able to resolve conflict in a timely manner, requests support from the Staffing Committee (Human Resources) and/or advising teacher. Follows staffing protocols.
Works directly with Chair of, and is a member of, the Staffing Committee (Human Resources)
Work collaboratively with the Administrator in the day to day budget responsibilities.
In conjunction with the Administrator, help to establish property needs, both physical needs and staffing needs, for specific courses and retreats.
EDUCATION REQUIRED
Preferable post secondary degree.
EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Practical maintenance skills would be considered an asset.
Trouble shoot problems and help triage projects.
Ability to exercise good judgement and maintain required confidentiality.
Communicate clearly and effectively with good verbal and written skills.
Exhibit skills in diplomacy and sensitivity in dealing with committee members, Board members and outside contractors.
Supervision of part-time volunteers and staff.
Working cooperatively with Administrator/Retreat Coordinator.
Helps to encourage liaison with wider community.
Effective work with the Board of Directors to achieve the aspirations and goals of the community.
Assure compliance with national and local health and safety regulations in maintaining a safe environment for all.
Active and fit and able to work in various weather conditions.
Planning and prioritization skills; time management and organizational skills.
Experience in building relationships, community outreach, and living alongside others in a spirit of cooperation and unfoldment.
The DCC is in the midst of fundraising and planning for a number of major renovations and upgrades. The GM would play a role in the Board’s work of turning this inspiring vision into reality.
Have completed Food Preparation course.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
If you are interested in being considered for the position of General Manager at the Dharma Centre of Canada, please submit a Curriculum Vitae, a letter of interest, and the names and contact information of three references via email by December 15, 2024 to:
Mark Eisenberg, mark.eisenberg1@gmail.com
Only those shortlisted will be invited for an in-person interview. Employment contract includes:
Salary commensurate with experience in the range of $42,000 — $52,000.
Room and board.
Retreat Cooks - Contract Position
The Dharma Centre of Canada is looking for contract cooks to oversee the kitchen, prepare and serve meals during group retreats. Retreats can vary in length from 2 to 7 days and occasionally longer. The kitchen is the heart of any retreat. The taste of the food, as well as the overall kitchen environment is integral to retreatants’ experience at the Dharma Centre. As such, we expect our cooks to be well-organized, service-oriented individuals who can work well under pressure and maintain a stable and quiet presence in the kitchen to support a positive retreat environment. The cook should be flexible, have a good knowledge of how to prepare food for special diets such as gluten free or dairy free, and can work well within a budget.
Principal Responsibilities
Prepare and serve three meals a day on time as set out by our Practitioner in Residence Operations Co-Ordinator’s menu plan
acquire and store food for the retreat timely;
Maintain an orderly, efficient and clean kitchen;
Ensure work environment meets or surpasses hygiene and safety standards set by regulations, including the Food Handling protocols during the COVID 19 pandemic
Oversee retreatants who are assigned kitchen duty in consultation with the Retreat Co-Ordinator
Qualifications/Experience
Good organizational skills with the ability to multitask in a kitchen environment
Has a valid Food Handler Certificate (Ontario province)
A solid work ethic with a capacity to self-direct
Must be able to create efficient and creative meals for a variety of diets such as gluten free, vegan, dairy free, vegetarian and non-vegetarian
Ability and commitment to work as part of a team
Must be able to work within a budget
A customer service orientation with good communication skills
Professional experience cooking for groups of varying sizes is strongly preferred
A sincere interest in meditation practice and a commitment to integrate ethical principles into daily life
Valid Driver’s License, with own vehicle is preferred
Physical Demands
The position involves standing for long periods and requires physical labour, including lifting heavy items