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Staff Positions

Staff at the Siddha Yoga Ashram in Oakland need to have certain interests and prior sadhana experience, including:
. A longing to progress on the spiritual path
. A love of the Siddha Yoga teachings and practices
. Participation in at least one Siddha Yoga Shaktipat Intensive
. A Siddha Yoga practice of at least 2 years duration
. Participation in seva in a Siddha Yoga meditation center, an ashram, a chanting & meditation group, or at a retreat site.

Current Positions | Application Process

Current positions:

Amrit and Serving Line Coordinator
APK Cook
Food Services Apprentice Cook/Kitchen Assistant
Food Services Purchasing Coordinator
Handyperson - Facilities Department
Prison Project Office Coordinator
Security
Siddha Yoga Philosophy & Culture Area Manager

Amrit Coordinator
Position reports to: Food Services Area Coordinator. Position Objective: Responsible for Amrit dining room and food concessions area.

Responsibilities:
• Coordinates Amrit area stocking, pricing and inventory
• Maintains signage and information updated and clearly placed
• Oversees packaging and presentation of in house made goods
• Keeps cold concessions inventory and orders as needed
• Product development ability is a plus
• Maintains food and drink storage areas clean and updated
• Coordinates area’s deep cleaning and daily maintenance with facilities manager
• Oversees the presentation of concession goods
• Responsible for special events set up and clean up
• Continues to train sevites in areas of responsibility
• Cashiers on a substitute basis when needed.

General qualifications:
• Great role model of Siddha Yoga studentship
• General understanding of overall Food Service purpose
• Good organizational skills
• Ability to work with a variety of people
• Able to take direction and work in a team atmosphere
• Able to delegate responsibilities to others
• Able to be on feet 4 to 6 hours per day
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs

APK Cook Cooks and prepares food under the direction of the Executive Chef.
Position Reports to: Executive Chef. Supervisor: Food Services Area Coordinator

Responsibilities / Duties:
• Prepare meals under the direction of the Executive Chef.
• Maintains cleanliness of kitchen area and equipment.
• Perform other tasks as needed by food services department, such as: chopping, prep work and Annapurna serving Line set up and clean up.
• Available for special events.

General Qualifications:
• Has taken at least one Intensive and has been doing at least one of the core Siddha Yoga practices on a regular basis for at least 2 years.
• Demonstrates understanding of, alignment with and commitment to the practices, philosophy and culture of the Siddha Yoga path
• Exemplifies the seva culture and values seva as a spiritual practice.
• Maintains the posture of studentship, and is committed to continuous improvement, ongoing learning and personal growth.
• Is flexible, responsive, proactive and self-motivated in seva, and demonstrates a willingness to do what is needed in the moment in order to meet goals and priorities.
• Is able to clearly give and receive constructive feedback in all situations including times of conflict
• Is able to manage priorities, while remaining calm, and working steadily to meet deadlines, especially under time constraints.
• Works well independently as well as with/on a team and is able to lead or follow as appropriate for the seva.

Skills:
• Some cooking experience.
• Able to Uphold California State sanitation and safety codes

Annapurna Kitchen Apprentice Cook
Reports to: Head cook. Position Objective: Assist head cook and learn basic SY food preparation
Part time or full time

Responsibilities / Duties:
• Help prepare meals under the direction of the head cook
• Maintains cleanliness of kitchen area and equipment.
• Performs other tasks as needed by food services department, such as: chopping, prep work, storage areas organization and upkeep.
• Available for special events on weekends.

General Qualifications:
• Has taken at least one Intensive and has been doing at least one of the core Siddha Yoga practices on a regular basis for at least 2 years.
• Demonstrates understanding of, alignment with and commitment to the practices, philosophy and culture of the Siddha Yoga path
• Exemplifies the seva culture and values seva as a spiritual practice.
• Maintains the posture of studentship, and is committed to continuous improvement, ongoing learning and personal growth.
• Is flexible, responsive, and proactively self-motivated in seva.
• Demonstrates a willingness to do what is needed in the moment in order to meet goals and priorities.
• Is able to clearly give and receive constructive feedback in all situations including times of conflict
• Is able to manage priorities, while remaining calm, and working steadily to meet deadlines, especially under time constraints.
• Works well independently as well as with/on a team and is able to lead or follow as appropriate for the seva.
Skills:
• Some cooking experience.
• Able to Uphold California State sanitation and safety codes

Food Services Purchasing Coordinator
Position reports to: Food Services Area Coordinator .Position Objective: Responsible for purchasing all necessary items for food services operations

Responsibilities:
• Maintains the current seasonal menu rotation on soft ware program
• Purchases weekly produce, dairy, bread
• Purchases monthly larger whole sale orders with purchase minimum
• Enters special event menus into software program and creates shopping list and price analysis
• Oversees and keeps record of daily meal numbers as well as special event numbers served
• Maintains a professional relationship with vendors, researches new vendors and purchasing possibilities
• Maintains grain, bean and spice storage areas clean and updated
• Orders Amrit concession goods with input from Amrit coordinator
• Oversees the presentation of concession goods

General qualifications:
• Great role model of Siddha Yoga studentship
• General understanding of overall Food Service purpose
• Good computer skills, fluent in MS word, MS excel, able to learn to use food services soft ware program
• Ability to work alone in an office
• Able to delegate responsibilities to others
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs

Handyperson carries out repairs necessary for the upkeep, safety and beautification of the Ashram

Responsibilities include:
. Day to day Handyman duties and responsibilities
. Preventive maintenance on equipment and systems
. Shop and warehouse maintenance
. Interfacing with service companies and contractors as able
. Developing Maintenance and Facilities strategies with the Facilities Manager
. May take on Project Management as able

Qualifications include:
. Excellent role model of Siddha Yoga philosophy and culture.
. Handyman skills
. Skill in prioritizing and ability to juggle many projects at once
. Skill at interfacing with the "clients" which the Maintenance Department serves
. Basic plumbing and/or electrical skills (ideally)

Prison Project Office Coordinator supports the dissemination of Siddha Yoga Philosophy and Culture to incarcerated students.

Responsibilities Include:
• Supervise print/production/mailing operations related to home study course mailed monthly to incarcerated students.
• Oversee and coordinate office volunteers.
• Coordinate monthly newsletter production.
● Handle incarcerated student correspondence.
● Oversee packaging of materials to students and prison libraries.

Qualifications Include:
• Ability to demonstrate a good understanding of Siddha Yoga Philosophy and Culture
• Demonstrates effective communication and listening skills
• Strong organizational, planning, and follow-through skills
• Experience with Word, and Excel

Security

Responsibilities include:
. Acts as a welcoming presence
. Ensures safety and security
. Assists management with challenging situations
. Participates in emergency response training and planning
. Responds to emergencies

Qualities include:
. Excellent interpersonal communication skills
. Good judgment
. Effective situation assessment skills
. Holds confidence and has discrimination

Siddha Yoga Philosophy and Culture Manager has the responsibility to ensure that Siddha Yoga Philosophy & Culture is represented and upheld in its integrity and purity in the Siddha Yoga Ashram in Oakland and that staff members and Siddha Yoga Philosophy and Culture sevites are in alignment with the SYDA Foundation Siddha Yoga Philosophy and Culture goals for Siddha Yoga students and Learning and Teaching events.

Responsibilities include:
. Oversee the creation and implementation of Siddha Yoga Philosophy & Culture calendar, communications, and promotions of all local Learning and Teaching events.
. Ensure that Siddha Yoga Philosophy & Culture is accurately represented in satsangs and other learning events offered by the ashram.
. Demonstrates understandings of, alignment with and commitment to the purpose, values, and direction of the SYDA Foundation and is able to articulate these clearly to others.
. Accountable for financial and staffing decisions within the Siddha Yoga Philosophy & Culture area.

Qualifications include:
. In-depth experience with and understanding of the Siddha Yoga teachings.
. Strong experience in planning Siddha Yoga teachings and learning events.
. Five to ten years practicing Siddha Yoga meditation.
. Two years content development experience.
. Proven managerial experience.
. Excellent communication and project management skills.

How to Apply

To receive an application, please email your request to: Gurukula@syda.org
Please state that you are requesting an application for a position at the SYMA Oakland.

If you do not have an email address, please contact us by phone or mail.