What are the responsibilities and job description for the Discussion Group Leader and MI (DGL/MI) –Cultivating Mindful Presence position at Naropa University?
Position Title: Discussion Group Leader and Meditation Instructor (DGL/MI) – Cultivating Mindful Presence
# of Positions to Fill: Multiple
Department/Program: MTC 12040
Remote Work Authorization: 100% On-Site
Campus Location: Nalanda Campus
Reports to: Course faculty of record or Program Chair
FLSA Classification: Exempt/Salaried
FTE: 5% (2 hrs/week)
Compensation: $630 for the semester
Application deadline: 1/15/25 or until filled
Job Summary
The Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling department seeks several Discussion Group Leader/Meditation Instructors (DGL/MI) to support CNST-721 Cultivating Mindful Presence in the residential concentration.
This is a one-semester appointment assigned to a specific course.
Logistics of this specific position – Dates and Details
This is a 2-credit course offered in the Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling concentration, to be taught in-person from January 13 – May 9, 2025.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays 9am-11:20am
Course Description
CNST-721 Cultivating Mindful Presence (2 Credits)
Based on the foundation of mindfulness meditation provided in CNST 622, this course supports the students’ continuing development of mindfulness as a resource for both counselor and client. Methods of cultivating awareness in daily life activities are emphasized. Students apply mindful awareness to the body-speech-mind form of contemplative observation. Training in designing mindfulness exercises for others is included.
Job Duties & Responsibilities
• Provide individual 30-minute sessions of meditation instruction for about 7 (i.e., 6-to-8) students 2-to-3 times during semester.
• Attend class meetings.
• Facilitate live small group meetings for about 7 students during some class meetings.
• Respond to about 7 students' online discussion posts.
• Facilitate and provide feedback on 7 students’ participation in Warrior Exchange.
• Facilitate and provide feedback on about 7 students’ participation in Warrior Exchange.
• Read about 7 students' papers (for understanding students' experience, without evaluation).
• As appropriate, work with the course instructor to manage and/or mediate student issues and educational obstacles.
• Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Have authorization to teach mindfulness meditation in a relevant contemplative tradition, at Naropa or elsewhere, such as evidenced by:
a.) Successful completion of Mindfulness Teaching Training program appropriate to the relevant contemplative tradition, resulting in authorization to teach; or
b.) Individual training in teaching mindfulness meditation with an authorized teacher from a recognized contemplative tradition (minimum three (3) years), and a letter of recommendation speaking to person’s experience and understanding of meditation practice and readiness to teach.
• Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, or a related field.
• Ability to create and maintain a positive team environment and behave professionally with everyone encountered in the course and scope of the job duties.
• Ability to work both independently and as a part of a close team, working collaboratively with course instructor and students.
• High degree of emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and communication skills.
• All job candidates must demonstrate an appropriate level of understanding of and appreciation for the values of Naropa University and the capacity to demonstrate an integration and embodiment of these values as evidenced in work, communication, collaboration styles, and other general workplace behaviors.
Preferred Qualifications
• Extensive understanding of and experience with mindfulness meditation
• Understanding of and experience with contemplative education pedagogy.
• Experience in training counselors at the graduate level.
• Recent and/or current experience in the counseling field.
• Familiarity with Naropa’s Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Psychology Counseling concentration.
• Prior experience with direct clinical work in counseling, psychology, or related field.
Naropa recognizes the following holidays throughout the year:
-Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
-Memorial Day
-Juneteenth
-Independence Day
-Labor Day
-Fall Break, 4th Thursday and Friday in November
-Winter Break, the last two weeks in December encompassing the Christmas holiday as well as New Year’s
Naropa’s health and welfare benefits include the following: medical, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, employer-paid short-term and long-term disability, employer-paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment, an employer-sponsored pre-tax retirement savings plan, which includes up to 2.5% employer matching, and a variety of voluntary, employee-paid supplemental insurance plans.
A comprehensive benefits package is available to full-time employees who work a minimum of 30 hours each week. Employees who work 20 – 29 hours each week are eligible for only the employer-paid short-term & long-term disability, employer-paid life insurance & accidental death and dismemberment, and the retirement plan, which includes up to 2.5% employer matching.
Employees who work fewer than 20 hours per week are eligible to participate in Naropa’s retirement plan only, which includes up to 2.5% employer matching.
All regular full-time and part-time faculty and staff, including student workers, accrue sick leave benefits. Full-time and part-time staff positions accrue vacation and personal time. All leave accrual rates vary based on the position, hours worked, and years of service.
The University recognizes the importance of including its employees in its organizational mission and values and welcomes employees into the classroom to “touch the magic.” Specifically, regular employees are provided generous tuition remission opportunities for themselves and their family members.
Naropa University participates in the Council of Independent Colleges Tuition Exchange Program (CIC-TEP). CIC-TEP is a network of CIC colleges and universities willing to accept, tuition-free, students from families of full-time employees of other CIC participating institutions (full-time as designated by the employer/institution). Additional information can be found here: https://www.cic.edu/member-services/tuition-exchange-program.
Naropa University is an equal opportunity, non-discriminatory employer and Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits gender discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual and relationship violence. This law applies to all students, faculty, and staff.
