Employment Opportunities

About  Namchak:

Namchak is dedicated to sharing one of the oldest forms of Tibetan Buddhist practice and making the teachings newly accessible to Westerners. Students learn from Tibetan masters as well as Western teachers and receive support from a vibrant community. We serve students on every step of the path, from those exploring meditation for the first time to more experienced students. We offer various learning programs, including in-person teaching, small group learning, bi-coastal retreats, online courses, and soon-to-be-established residential retreats at the Namchak Retreat Ranch in Montana. In coming years, we will offer everything from introductory retreats to Dzogchen, the most profound practice in our tradition, and weekend retreat, to the traditional three-year retreat.

Current Employment Opportunities

General Manager, Namchak Retreat Ranch

About Namchak

Namchak promotes the growth, study, and practices of the Namchak lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. While preserving the essence of those practices, we offer them in a more modern, Western, accessible style. One does not need to be a Buddhist to participate. Offering a variety of learning programs, online courses, and residential retreats at the Namchak Retreat Ranch, the Foundation serves students on every step of the path; from those exploring meditation for the first time, to highly experienced practitioners. The unifying feature among the staff is the deep dedication to making this lineage’s time-tested, lab-tested tools available for anyone to use, to help everyone live a more satisfying, awakened life.

About the Ranch

While Namchak’s main office is located in Missoula, the Namchak Retreat Ranch itself is situated on 8,900 acres approximately an hour-and-a-half north, near Hot Springs, Montana, on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Our retreat ranch exists to provide 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 ranging from administrative barns, student dormitories, a dharma-focused public park, retreat facilities for dedicated students to partake in a traditional three-year retreat, and others. The buildings are clustered to minimize visual impact, allowing most of the property to remain as open space.

We strive to operate the Namchak Retreat Ranch in ways that honor our values while respecting the cultures and people who came before us. Over the past several years, we’ve implemented comprehensive land management strategies, including cattle grazing, riparian restoration, noxious weed removal, native re-seeding, and forestry. In 2019, we launched a robust permaculture program to grow food for future retreatants. In these and other ongoing conservation and stewardship efforts, we work with local tribes, neighboring landowners, and natural resource specialists to make informed and intentional land management decisions.

The Opportunity and Key Responsibilities

The Namchak Retreat Ranch (NRR) General Manager is, first and foremost, a facilitative leader who invests time and energy in their employees and is passionate about making a difference in the lives of others. They are involved in and responsible for all aspects of the Namchak Retreat Ranch, including ranch operations, repairs, equipment, maintenance, land management, permaculture, retreat facilities, and hospitality.

This position is not a role for a maverick, and collaboration is a must. This collaborative culture permeates Namchak at all levels, both across and within departments. Success in this role will require a person who possesses true leadership qualities of emotional intelligence, patience, and strength of character. This role calls for someone with the business acumen to translate vision into action, the humility and wisdom to seek guidance and input, and the leadership to bring people along, create trust, and support others to achieve objectives.

The two-member executive team (Core Group) and the Managing Director have established a vision for the ranch to which the General Manager will contribute and operationalize. This position will work collaboratively and strategically with the Managing Director and Construction Project Director. The ranch team is talented, committed, and capable, and will benefit from a hands-on leader who will interact daily with the staff, listen, and provide guidance, direction, and accountability.

To advance the Foundation’s mission, the NRR General Manager will oversee, facilitate, and coordinate several complex, interlocking functions: land management (grazing, forestry, weed mitigation, fire mitigation), permaculture and greenhouse development, conservation, ranch operations, and hospitality. The General Manager will work closely with the Construction Project Director to coordinate ongoing construction work and timelines with the many other initiatives at the ranch. Supporting these undertakings will require managing and overseeing people, IT, finances, and administration.

The NRR General Manager will also be a key ambassador of Namchak, managing the day-to-day communications with the public, local Tribes, vendors, and on-site workers. This position must communicate in a way that is aligned with Namchak’s core values of compassion, inclusivity, collaboration, and professionalism. This position will continue building and expanding relationships with our neighbors, the Hot Springs community, local Tribal members, and the Tribal Council.

This position will report to the Namchak Managing Director and Core Group, and enjoy a trusting and collaborative relationship. The NRR General Manager will be responsible for five core functions:

Leadership & Team Development

  • Hold primary responsibility and accountability for all ranch matters. Attentive to all activities, anticipating challenges, addressing them before they become significant problems, and providing immediate response to issues as they arise
  • Collaborate closely with executive leadership to understand the vision, seek guidance, and implement strategic objectives; establish an ongoing transparent flow of communication
  • Cultivate a culture that embraces teamwork, seamless communication, accountability, integrity, and high morale
  • Provide leadership, training, and professional development for the ranch staff; coordinate with the Managing Director and Core Group to hire, onboard, and train new ranch staff as needed

Ranch Operations and Logistics

  • Coordinate all daily activities, resource requests, and support needs on the ranch; coordinate with programming and hospitality staff to ensure proper support for retreats and events
  • Lead all ranch planning and budgeting, including materials management; work collaboratively to create a long-range plan that ensures continued fiscal health and supports future growth
  • Oversee cattle and bison operations, fencing, grazing, watering, and general animal husbandry
  • Oversee the land stewardship program, including weed management initiatives, forestry management, rangeland restoration efforts, fire mitigation, and livestock management
  • Oversee the permaculture program, food forest, and greenhouse development

Safety and Security

  • Oversee physical security program for the ranch; manage and maintain security and video surveillance systems
  • Develop fire prevention plan and coordinate closely with all relevant parties and authorities
  • Oversee hazard prevention plan, to include a hazardous fuels treatment plan
  • Oversee safety program for workers and retreatants, including maintaining first aid equipment

Building and Equipment Repair & Maintenance

  • Oversee management and maintenance of all ranch vehicles and equipment; oversee schedules and procedures for a comprehensive Preventative Maintenance program
  • Manage building operating and management systems; supervise troubleshooting of mechanical, electrical, water, plumbing, and security systems
  • Oversee the development and implementation of a road maintenance plan
  • Coordinate closely with ranch staff and spiritual leaders when overseeing the maintenance and repair of spiritual or ceremonial sites, buildings, sculptures, or other sacred items

Vendor, Neighbor & Tribal Relations

  • Develop, establish, and nurture positive and respectful relations with the Ranch’s neighbors and the Hot Springs community
  • Establish and maintain relationships with the county, including the fire department, roads coordinator, and Mission Valley Power
  • Cultivate and maintain trusted, productive relationships with vendors, partners, media outlets, and other constituents, while developing new and strategic relationships
  • Over time, serve as a liaison between Namchak and the local Tribes, including the Tribal Council, the Tribal Administrative Staff, and Tribal Members; Attend periodic Tribal meetings

Qualifications

  • NOTE: Seasoned leadership, management expertise, and ability to work collaboratively are preferable to deep expertise in any particular ranch function, though past experience managing in a ranch or similar setting is required.
  • 5+ years of executive level managerial experience in a dynamic, multi-stakeholder environment, working closely with a senior leadership team
  • Patience and hands-on leadership that embodies respect, teamwork, and collaboration
  • Respect for and comfort with a staff culture of deep commitment to Namchak’s mission
  • Experience with ranch management, with ability to oversee livestock, land stewardship, permaculture, and hospitality operations
  • Experience developing and managing systems, processes, policies, and procedures to enhance effectiveness of ranch operations
  • Experience designing and managing budgets
  • Ability to design and implement safety and security plans
  • Experience with materials management and overseeing the repair/maintenance of equipment and/or infrastructure
  • Experience developing and managing relationships/partnerships with external entities
  • Experience representing an organization/entity externally to the surrounding community
  • Consideration will be given to candidates with transferable skills and demonstrating comparable qualifications

To Apply

Namchak has retained OE Consulting to support this search. To apply, please submit a résumé and thoughtful cover letter that explains your interest and addresses your relevant qualifications. Applicants may expect an email from OE Consulting confirming receipt.

Please refrain from contacting Namchak about this opportunity. Direct any inquiries to OE Consulting at ([email protected]). Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.

Digital Content Coordinator

Reports to:  Social + Digital Manager

Role Type: Full-time. 40 hours per week. Non-Exempt.

Schedule: Generally 8 am-5 pm with the expectation to provide support in the evenings during retreats when needed.

Rate of Pay: $55,000

Benefits: Health, dental, vision, life insurance, PTO, and 401(k) retirement plan

Location: Missoula, Montana

Job Description:

We’re looking for a talented and motivated individual to join our team as a full-time Digital Content Coordinator. The Digital Content Coordinator plays a crucial role in curating, organizing, and co-creating, engaging digital content across our various platforms. Your expertise in social media content creation, email marketing, and project coordination, would greatly contribute to our team’s efforts in creating a strong online presence and growing our community.

The Digital Content Coordinator will collaborate with the Marketing team to help create and coordinate digital content for our various channels. This role involves creating, curating, and organizing content to enhance the online presence and engagement of the organization.

Overview of Key Responsibilities:

  • Craft compelling and creative content for our social media channels, newsletters, and other digital platforms.
  • Coordinate content calendars to ensure consistent and timely content delivery.
  • Support the creation and delivery of creative email marketing campaigns.
  • Comment, reply, reshare, and engage with our audience across our digital channels.
  • Monitor and analyze content performance metrics to optimize strategies for better engagement and reach.
  • Collect essential notes and actionable tasks from team meetings to uphold project organization and enter them into the project management software.
  • Stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices to drive innovation in our digital content efforts.

Responsibilities:

  1. Content Creation:
    • Support the creation of the social media calendar by developing creative and engaging digital content, including written, visual, and multimedia materials.
    • Work alongside the Marketing & Outreach and Education & Programming departments, as well as outside contractors to deliver engaging digital assets that support our courses, retreats, and programs.
    • Support creating engaging and creative email content for our email marketing campaigns.
    • Ensure content aligns with brand guidelines and objectives.
  1. Content Curation:
    • Curate relevant and compelling content from various sources to share with our audience.
    • Stay updated on industry trends and competitor activities to enhance our content strategy.
    • Provide strategic recommendations on how we can better enhance our social media and email marketing efforts.
  1. Coordination with Team
    • Collaborate with video editors, graphic designers, writers, and other content creators to ensure cohesive and consistent messaging.
    • Collaborate with marketing and education teams to coordinate digital content for campaigns, promotions and broader marketing campaigns.
  1. Audience Engagement:
    • Interact with the audience through comments, messages, and resharing, on our social media platforms.
    • Foster community engagement and build relationships with followers
  1. Analytics and Reporting:
    • Track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) related to digital content.
    • Gather keynotes and actionable steps from team meetings to maintain project organization.
    • Track project milestones in the organization’s project management software.
  1. Quality Control:
    • Ensure accuracy, consistency, and quality of all digital content.
    • Conduct regular content audits to identify areas for improvement.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field.
  • Proven experience in digital content creation and coordination, including social media, email marketing, and project management.
  • Strong understanding of digital marketing principles and best practices.
  • Familiarity with content management systems (CMS) and social media platforms.
  • Content creation (written, visual, multimedia)
  • Copywriting
  • Social media management
  • Email marketing
  • Data analysis and reporting
  • Time management and organization
  • Creativity and innovation

If Interested,

Please send your resume and a cover letter, which includes why you would like to work at Namchak, to [email protected].

We are reviewing applications as they are received.

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all the qualifications. Experience and career paths are unique to each applicant. We encourage you to explore how your previous experience may fit our qualifications differently.

Equal opportunity is a fundamental principle and core value at Namchak, where employment is based on personal capabilities, competencies, and qualifications. We are committed to ensuring that job applicants and staff are not discriminated against regardless of race, creed, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, sex, or sexual orientation/gender expression.

Permaculture Farm Hand

Reports to: Permaculture Program Manager

Role Type: Seasonal April 1st – October 31st

Typical Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8am – 4pm

Benefits: Health, dental, vision, life insurance, PTO, and 401(k) retirement plan

Location: Namchak Retreat Ranch, Hot Springs, Montana

Role Description 

The Permaculture Farm Hand will play a significant support role in the overall farming operation of the Namchak Retreat Ranch. The main goal of this position is to focus on assisting with the general upkeep of the food forest permaculture sites and annual growing beds, in addition to completing general labor tasks. We are looking for a highly self-motivated individual willing to be flexible in weekly tasks.

Duties of the Permaculture Farm Hand 

  • Assist in all aspects of the permaculture program
  • Support the Permaculture Program Coordinator in the implementation of food forest systems
  • General weeding and weed control monitoring
  • Assist in animal husbandry program
  • Install annual vegetable beds
  • Perform pest management tasks
  • Compost tea and fertilizer application
  • General cleaning of animal stalls
  • Compost collection
  • Fence maintenance
  • Watering new plantings
  • Installation of permaculture designs
  • Pruning
  • Mulching
  • Native and non-native plant propagation
  • Harvesting
  • Seed collection
  • Assist in landscape implementation as new buildings are constructed
  • General manual labor within permaculture sites
  • Snow removal
  • Trash and Mircro trash cleanup
  • Assist in general maintenance and construction with other Departments when needed

Necessary Skills

  • Technical Skills – tries to continuously build knowledge and skills.
  • Problem Solving – Identifies and deals with problems in a timely manner.
  • Oral Communication – Listens and gets clarification when needed.
  • Interpersonal Skills – Remains open to others ideas and represents the organization positively within the community.

Values

  • Diversity – Shows respect for cultural differences.
  • Professionalism – Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well to the pressure of the position.
  • Teamwork – Open to others views and ideas; Gives and welcomes feedback from fellow co-workers; Contributes to building a positive team environment.
  • Ethics – Treats people with respect; Works with integrity; Keeps commitments; Upholds the organization’s values.
  • Quality – Completes work in a timely manner; Works quickly on tasks.
  • Safety and Security – Observes safety and security procedures, Uses equipment properly.
  • Dependability – Follows instructions, quickly responds to management direction; Commits to long hours of work when necessary; Takes responsibility for actions; Keeps commitments.
  • Attendance/Punctuality – Is consistently at work and on time.

Required Qualifications

  • Willingness to train in permaculture principles and practices
  • Previous experience in organic farming or regenerative agriculture
  • History of being able to work well on a team
  • Experience using groundskeeping tools, chainsaws, weed whips, mowers, leaf blowers
  • Able to lift 50–100 lbs.
  • High school diploma or equivalent

Submit a Cover Letter & Resume

If you would like to apply for this position, please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed  as they are received. The position will be open until filled..

IT Specialist

Reports to: IT Manager

Role Type: 40 hours/week; 52 weeks/year

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm 

Rate of Pay: $65,000

Benefits:  Health, dental, vision, life insurance, PTO, and 401(k) retirement plan. Location: Missoula Office, with up to 50% travel between Missoula, St. Ignatius, and Hot Springs, MT

Job Description:

We seek an IT Specialist with a strong technical background with Apple devices, business productivity software, and a passion for delivering outstanding bespoke customer service. As a key team member, you will be responsible for ensuring that our user’s Apple devices and applications run smoothly while providing exceptional support and guidance. You will support our staff in Missoula, St. Ignatius, and Hot Springs, MT. 

 Key Responsibilities:

  1. Technical Support:
    • Diagnose and resolve hardware and software issues on Apple devices, including MacBooks, iPhones, iPads, and other Apple products.
    • Install, configure, and maintain Apple operating systems and software.
    • Perform routine maintenance, updates, and patches to optimize device performance.
    • Troubleshoot network and connectivity issues.
    • Provide occasional after-hours support as needed.
  2. Customer Service:
    • Provide friendly and professional customer service by actively listening to user’s needs and concerns.
    • Offer expert guidance, advice, and solutions to user’s technical issues.
    • Educate users on best practices for using Apple devices to enhance their productivity.
    • Clearly communicate technical information in an understandable manner.
  3. Device Management:
    • Manage and maintain Apple device inventory with Mobile Device Management.
    • Set up and configure new devices for users, ensuring they are secure and compliant with company policies.
    • Monitor device performance and security, implementing necessary updates and security measures.
  4. Training and Workshops:
    • Conduct training sessions and workshops for our users to enhance their proficiency using Apple devices and software.
    • Create user-friendly documentation and resources for users to reference.
    • Provide A/V support for teachings and staff meetings.

 Required Qualifications & Skills:

  • A minimum of 3 years of experience working with Apple devices and software and a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related area preferred.
  • Proficiency in Apple operating systems, applications, and device management tools.
  • Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to independently troubleshoot and resolve technical issues.
  • Exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Knowledge of IT best practices and security protocols.
  • The capability to travel to remote sites as needed.
  • Practical experience with Synology NAS, Addigy Device Management, and UniFi networking equipment is a plus.
  • The ability to adapt to new technologies and stay updated on the latest Apple products and features.
  • A team player with a strong work ethic and a dedication to user satisfaction.
  • Proven track record of maintaining discretion and confidentiality in their professional engagements. 
  • Accustomed to providing bespoke technology solutions tailored to individual client needs. 
  • Preference will be given to those who have experience in private family offices, luxury service industries, or similar settings is a plus. 

 

If Interested,

Please send your resume and a cover letter, which includes why you would like to work at Namchak, to [email protected].

We are reviewing applications as they are received.

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all the qualifications. Experience and career paths are unique to each applicant. We encourage you to explore how your previous experience may fit our qualifications differently.

Equal opportunity is a fundamental principle and core value at Namchak, where employment is based on personal capabilities, competencies, and qualifications. We are committed to ensuring that job applicants and staff are not discriminated against regardless of race, creed, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, sex, or sexual orientation/gender expression. 

 

Submit a Cover Letter & Resume

If you would like to apply for this position, please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed  as they are received. The position will be open until filled..

About  Namchak:

The Namchak Foundation promotes the growth, study, and practices of the Namchak lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. We offer a variety of learning programs, including in-person teaching, small group learning, online courses, and residential retreats at the Namchak Retreat Ranch (NRR) in Montana. In coming years, we will offer everything from introductory retreats to Dzogchen, the most profound practice in our tradition—and from weekend retreats to the traditional three-year retreat. 

The Namchak Retreat Ranch is located on 8,900 acres near Hot Springs, Montana, on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Our retreat ranch exists to provide 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 ranging from administrative barns, student dormitories, a dharma-focused public park, retreat facilities for dedicated students to partake in a traditional three-year retreat, and others. The buildings are clustered to minimize visual impact, allowing most of the property to remain as open space.

The Namchak staff community can be characterized as friendly, hard-working, and highly collaborative. Our core values include compassion, kindness, integrity, inclusiveness, collaboration and teamwork, responsibility, accountability, professionalism, and stewardship.

Namchak’s offices are located 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, an attractive cost of living, 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 an abundance of restaurants, cafes, coffee houses, art galleries, bookstores, and breweries to fit all budgets and tastes. It is a place of small-town values and urban amenities.