Community Relations and Program Coordinator

General Position Description: The Community Relations Coordinator serves as the first point of contact for Namchak’s Learning Circles, helping students and prospective participants find community and take meaningful next steps in their practice. This role combines outreach, relationship-building, and program support to foster connections among students, Learning Circles, and Namchak’s broader offerings. Additionally, the coordinator plays a key role in staffing retreats, personally getting to know participants and guiding them on their journey. The ideal candidate is compassionate, organized, and committed to supporting others in their personal and spiritual growth.

Key Responsibilities:

Student Support & Community Building

• Act as the primary point of contact for students and prospective students interested in joining or forming Learning Circles, helping them navigate their options and connect with suitable groups.
• Provide guidance and support to students as they progress through Namchak’s programs, including retreats, Learning Circles, and other offerings.
• Foster personal relationships with students during retreats, becoming familiar with their aspirations and challenges to provide tailored recommendations for their next steps in practice.
• Maintain a welcoming and supportive environment for all students, ensuring they feel valued and connected to Namchak’s mission and community.
• Monitor the inbox.
• Monitor and update E&P program activities calendar as needed

Learning Circle Coordination

• Serve as the main liaison for Learning Circle participants, offering guidance, resources, and support to sustain thriving groups.
• Facilitate the formation of new Learning Circles by matching interested students with others in their region or virtual space.
• Assist in maintaining and updating Learning Circle materials, ensuring they are accessible and aligned with Namchak’s teachings.
• Organize and host regular check-ins or training sessions for Learning Circle participants to enhance shared leadership skills and group dynamics.

Retreat Staffing & Follow-Up

• Staff in-person and virtual retreats, managing logistics while engaging with participants to build relationships and offer support.
• Collaborate with the Retreat Operations Manager to ensure smooth retreat operations, including registration, participant communication, and on-site needs.
• Follow up with retreat participants post-event to help integrate their experiences and guide them toward additional opportunities, such as Learning Circles or additional programs.

Partnerships & Outreach

• Support outreach efforts to expand Namchak’s network of Learning Circles and community partnerships.
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Outreach team to promote Learning Circles and retreats to prospective participants.
• Cultivate relationships with local organizations, schools, and community groups to introduce new audiences to Namchak’s teachings.

Administrative Support

• Track student participation and engagement in retreats and Learning Circles, maintaining accurate records and providing insights to the Education & Programs team.
• Manage inquiries about Learning Circles, retreats, and community offerings, responding promptly and thoughtfully to all communications.

Skills & Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Communications, Religious Studies, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a warm, approachable, and empathetic demeanor.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, project management tools (e.g., Asana), and CRM platforms.
• Experience in community building, facilitation, or working with groups.

Preferred:

• Familiarity with Tibetan Buddhism or Namchak’s teachings or a strong interest in learning.
• Experience supporting spiritual or personal development programs.
• Knowledge of virtual collaboration tools (e.g., Zoom, Mighty Networks).

Additional Information:

• Occasional travel is required to staff retreats and community events at the Namchak Retreat Ranch or other locations.
• Flexible work hours to accommodate retreats and Learning Circle schedules.

Submit a Cover Letter & Resume

If you would like to apply for this position, please send a cover letter and resume to opportunities@namchak.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will be open until filled.

About Namchak

Namchak is dedicated to sharing one of the oldest forms of Tibetan Buddhist practice and making the teachings accessible to Westerners. Students learn from Tibetan masters and 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 all the way through traditional lama training for those who want to take it that far.

We offer various learning programs, including in-person teachings, retreats, small group learning, and online courses. We host residential retreats at the Namchak Retreat Ranch in Montana. We offer introductory retreats, weekend retreats, 10-30 day retreats, and traditional retreats. Eventually, we will offer Dzogchen, which is the most profound practice in our tradition, retreats and three-year retreats.

The Namchak office community is best characterized as friendly, collaborative, hard-working, highly supportive, and passionate about their work. Because the organization recognizes the value of various points of view and places great value on cultural enrichment, Namchak respects and encourages workplace diversity. The unifying feature is the deep dedication of the entire staff to making this lineage's time-tested tools available for anyone to use to help everyone live a more satisfying, awakened life.

Namchak’s offices are 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.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Weekends as needed

Location:

• Missoula, MT 59801 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $70,000