Careers

The Namchak Foundation promotes the growth, study, and practices of the Namchak lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. We offer a variety of learning opportunities, from in-person teaching and small group learning to online courses and residential retreats at the Namchak Retreat Ranch in Montana.

In the coming years, our programs will span the full path of practice- from an introductory retreat to the profound teachings of Dzogchen and from short weekend gatherings to the traditional three-year retreat.

The Namchak Retreat Ranch is located on 10,000 acres near Hot Springs, Montana, on the Flathead Indian Reservation. It provides a sustainable and sacred environment where teachers and students can come together for learning, meditation, and practice.

The Namchak Retreat Ranch, which consists of new and future construction, includes several facilities, including student housing, teaching spaces, a dharma-focused public park, and dedicated retreat structures- all designed to minimize visual impact and preserve the natural landscape.

Our staff can be characterized as friendly, hard-working, collaborative, and mission-oriented. We are guided by our core values: compassion, kindness, integrity, inclusiveness, collaboration and teamwork, responsibility, accountability, professionalism, and stewardship.

Namchak’s main office is in Missoula, Montana, home to the University of Montana. Missoula has been listed as one of the greatest places to live in the United States, featuring excellent public and private schools, family-friendly amenities, and a superior quality of life. Nestled in the Northern Rockies of Montana, between Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, Missoula is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, yet it also comes with many restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries, bookstores, and breweries. It is a place of small-town values and urban amenities.

Caretaker

Reports to: Ranch Operations Manager

Day-to-Day Direction: Facilities Manager

Location: On-site, Full-Time Resident Position

Namchak Retreat Ranch is seeking a positive-minded, service-oriented person to join our growing team and live on-site at our 10,000-acre retreat ranch located near Hot Springs, Montana.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys meaningful physical work, values teamwork and collaboration, and takes pride in creating and maintaining a beautiful, functional, and welcoming environment.

The ideal candidate will bring experience in landscaping, ranch work, facilities support, repair work, construction, or related fields. We are looking for someone who contributes where needed, whether pulling weeds in the Guru Rinpoche Park, supporting the Maintenance Team on a repair project, or being the calm first point of contact when something comes up after hours.

Weekend work and an on-site presence throughout the retreat season are essential, as is a willingness to conduct fire watch on weekends during the summer fire season.

Our work supports an on-site retreat environment rooted in Buddhist teachings, contemplative practice, land stewardship, and service.

We are seeking someone who will genuinely respect and support the contemplative culture, Buddhist practices, and retreat lifestyle that are central to Namchak’s mission. Familiarity with or curiosity about Tibetan Buddhist traditions is a meaningful asset in this role, as the Caretaker will work alongside and occasionally interact with and support spiritual teachers, including lamas and nuns.

This position joins a collaborative and multidisciplinary team that currently includes the Ranch Operations Manager, Retreat Operations Manager, Permaculture Program Manager, Facilities Manager, Greenhouse and Mushroom Cultivation Manager, Lead Maintenance Technician, Ranch Field Coordinator, Permaculture Farm Hand, Animal Husbandry Lead, Ranch Hand, Rangeland Field Technician, Housekeeper, and Seasonal Farm Hands. Together, the team supports the daily operations, our land stewardship goals, the retreat experience, and the ongoing development of the Namchak Retreat Ranch.

Key Qualities

• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a close-knit team. Being a team player is critical for this role
• Friendly, respectful, and service-oriented attitude
• Strong work ethic, self-starter, and willingness to help wherever needed
• Comfort with physical outdoor work in varying weather conditions
• Attention to detail and pride in maintaining beautiful and sacred spaces
• Calm and clear-headed in unexpected situations, with the ability to follow protocol and communicate with leadership
• Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic retreat environment
• Appreciation for mindfulness, quiet spaces, and contemplative environments
• Ability to interact professionally and warmly with retreat guests, teachers, staff, and volunteers
• Growth mindset

Relevant Experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred, as your skill set will be integral to our team:

• Gardening, permaculture, landscaping, groundskeeping
• Ranch and agricultural work
• Repair, maintenance work, and construction
• Facilities support
• Equipment operation
• Retreat center, hospitality, and service environments
• First aid training (Wilderness First Responder or equivalent is a plus; EMT certification is not required)

Responsibilities

Depending on work history, skill set, and the needs of the team, responsibilities may include:

• Providing a gentle, calming, and grounding presence when needs come up after hours
• Caring for the Guru Rinpoche Park and contributing to grounds maintenance across the ranch property, including weeding, planting, watering, and general upkeep
• Supporting the Facilities Manager and grounds and maintenance technician with sustainable and intentional grounds care
• Assisting the Maintenance Team with basic repairs and facilities support across mechanical, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and water systems
• Assisting with seasonal ranch projects and land stewardship initiatives, including fencing, weed control, forestry, and wildlife monitoring
• Providing occasional support to the permaculture team with growing and harvesting as needed
• Conducting fire watch on weekends during the summer fire season and serving as the on-site first point of contact for after-hours incidents and emergencies year-round
• Following established safety protocols, maintaining and inspecting first aid supplies, and coordinating with leadership and emergency services when needed
• Supporting retreat setup and operations, including after-hours logistics, housekeeping support, and transportation of guests and teachers
• Snow removal, trail maintenance, and general property upkeep
• Helping maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for retreat guests and staff
• Representing Namchak with professionalism and warmth to neighbors, the local Tribal community, and Hot Springs residents
• Collaborating across Ranch Operations and Retreat Operations teams as needed
• Using digital tools, including Excel, Word, Gmail, Slack, and Asana for communication and task management

Additional Requirements

• Work outdoors year-round in varied Montana weather
• Traverse uneven terrain and climb stairs
• Lift and carry up to 40 lbs
• Willingness to receive training in de-escalation and First Aid

This role is best suited for someone who enjoys working with their hands, values meaningful service, and wants to contribute to a mission-driven endeavor focused on land stewardship, creating community,  offering the opportunity for meaningful connection and growth with others, and creating an awe-inspiring retreat experience in Montana 

As part of the hiring package, this position includes housing in a recently remodeled two-bedroom home on the ranch property, near Guru Rinpoche Park. Compensation details will be shared with qualified applicants.