Home > The Siddha Yoga Ashram in Oakland > Staff Positions

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

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

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 SYA Oakland.

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