Tara Mandala Online Programs Support position open

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jenn.fahey
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2019 4:33 pm

Tara Mandala Online Programs Support position open

Post by jenn.fahey »

Online Programs Support

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 Satellite 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.

Job Summary:
The Online Programs Support will assist in the delivery of online programs such as overseeing all aspects of virtual retreats and online courses. This entails all aspects of development and execution, and on-screen moderation of live webcasts. The Online Programs Support will act as Zoom session moderator for these programs to ensure a professional presentation and will schedule test calls with teachers in advance to both support the teacher and ensure their video quality, sound, and background meet our standards. The Online Programs Support will also assist with use and maintenance of programs-related content in platforms such as Learndash, Retreat Guru, WooCommerce, Mailchimp, and others. The Online Program Support reports to the Programs Manager on a daily basis, and Programs Director overall.

The work-hour load per week for this position is event/retreat-based. This means that some weeks the number of hours may be up to 35-40 hours based on the specific needs of the event/retreat. There may be weeks when no events/retreats are taking place and the number of work hours may be 20-25 hours associated with attending regular weekly meetings and fulfilling the routine administrative requirements in relation to the associated courses/events, as well as participating in planning meetings for upcoming programs. In addition, overtime may be required to fulfill this role on a week-by-week basis. Overtime must be approved in advance.

The Programs Director and/or Programs Manager will be responsible for scheduling hours week to week for this position. To fulfill this position, the Online Programs Support must have consistent and reliable high-speed internet connection with speeds of at least 5Mbps/5Mbps (upload/download), access to a personal computer, a suitable space for on-screen moderation, and the willingness to acquire equipment if needed to improve sound and video quality.

Essential Job Duties and Areas of Responsibility:
● Meets with the Programs Team weekly to review assignments for upcoming virtual retreats or online courses; to discuss and prepare for coordination, planning, and implementation; and monitors the master schedule for upcoming assignments.
● Works varying days and times, based on the schedules of virtual retreats and online courses.
● Schedules Zoom prep calls with teachers and assistant teachers in advance of a virtual retreat to both support the teacher and ensure their video quality, sound, and background meet Tara Mandala standards.
● Maintains communication with students and participants via
[email protected] and/or [email protected] while a virtual retreat or online course is being delivered, respectively.
● Provides input and assessment of improvements needed to virtual retreat and online course execution.
● In collaboration with the programs team, uses the virtual retreats’ and online courses’ Zoom accounts, creating the Zoom links for an upcoming program and ensuring the maintenance of privacy and sharing settings as required by Tara Mandala’s sharing guidelines.
● On weeks and days BEFORE start day of an assigned virtual retreat or online course:
-Maintains direct communication with teacher(s), teacher assistant(s), translator(s), and other relevant support staff assisting in retreat.
-Maintains communication with Programs Manager to coordinate any additional requests from teachers.
-Coordinates with Satellite Sangha Coordinator and Dana Talk Volunteers to schedule presentations during a virtual retreat.
-Creates Zoom links for virtual retreat or online course.
-Uploads content to Learndash as needed in preparation for the start of an online course.
-Prepares and sends preliminary communication to participants.
● DURING an assigned virtual retreat and/or online course:
-Moderates all sessions (with the possible exception of practice sessions). o Notifies students when new modules open or materials are added to the online course portals.
-Provides a brief pre-scripted Dana Talk presentation during the last days of the virtual retreat or online course webcasts.
-When necessary, makes note of specific books, texts, and other definitions or terms that the teacher mentions and that must be shared with the participants. o Maintains a log throughout the unfolding of teaching sessions for the purpose of editing post-session.
-Tracks teacher hours for all sessions associated with a course/virtual retreat. o Updates “Retreat Content Page” for assigned virtual retreat
-Updates the Learndash portal for the assigned online course.
● AFTER an assigned virtual retreat and/or online course:
-Communicates to Programs Manager any additional resources or requests made by teacher and/or participants that can be included in post-retreat or post-course follow up email.
-Collects participant feedback after the conclusion of online course/virtual retreat and sends the spreadsheet to the Programs Manager for review.

Required Education, Skills & Competencies:
● Ability to work under pressure, multitask, and meet competing deadlines.
● Excellent command of English (spoken and written) and good communication skills.
● Comfortable speaking and addressing an audience with ease and with the capacity to be spontaneous when needed.
● Self-motivated, responsible, and able to work independently.
● Extremely well-organized and an exceptional eye for detail.
● Proficient with Website tools such as Zoom Platform, Retreat Guru, Learndash (or similar learning management platform), Google Suite, Google Analytics, WooCommerce and Mailchimp. Knowledge and use of Wordpress and basic html code a plus.
● Willingness and capacity to learn new software and other online platforms as needed.
● Previous on-the-job experience with another similar organization.
● College degree preferred.
● Exceptional customer service and hospitality experience, including knowing how to diffuse tense situations with members or retreatants.
● Ability to respond quickly and skillfully to problems during a program and coordinate with team members including Programs Manager/Programs Director during an emergency.
● Outgoing and able to communicate clearly, confidently, and warmly on a screen.
● Team player that is level-headed, flexible, and compassionate.
● Must be able to be in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
● Highly developed interpersonal skills, including the ability to hear and appreciate other points of view, including those of a diverse and cross-cultural nature.
● Highly organized and resourceful with ability to prioritize, problem solve, and take initiative.
● High level of dependability, integrity, and honesty.
● Must be able to maintain confidentiality in regard to customers’ information and other sensitive matters.

Other Requirements:
● Must have a regular and committed meditation practice.
● Dedicated Buddhist practice; strong connection to the lineages at Tara Mandala preferred.
● Have excitement about being part of emerging Dharma in the West.
● Strong understanding and demonstrated ability to work in an organization professionally while upholding Buddhist values and conduct.
● Upholds Tara Mandala Leadership Values and Code of Conduct, and acts as a role model.

Compensation, Benefits and Other Job Requirements:
● Free Attendance at one 5-day retreat per year, after one year of service (unpaid time off provided).
● Free access to 2 Tara Mandala online programs per year (unpaid time off provided).
● On-site positions include room and board, based on housing availability.

Provide three quality references: Please provide position, person’s role in position, relation to your work, name, email and phone; company or job.
This position can be onsite or offsite and is an employee position.

Other Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time as needed by the organization.
Tara Mandala is an equal opportunity employer and seeks diversity with respect to race, religion, ethnicity, culture, gender, age, sexual orientation, and physical abilities.

To apply: https://www.taramandala.org/connect/emp ... rtunities/
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