Operations Manager
Priority Application Deadline: January 15, 2015
Position state date: March 1, 2015
Earthdance is an artist-run workshop, residency, and retreat center located in the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts. We provide a dynamic mix of dance, somatic, and interdisciplinary arts training, with a focus on sustainable living, social justice, and community. Earthdance has been spearheading innovative arts programming and maintaining a beautiful facility for rental groups in the Pioneer Valley for nearly three decades.
During employment at Earthdance, our core staff live on-site as a component of our residential community educational program. The Operations Manager is a core staff position, responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating daily operations of Earthdance, including rental programming, buildings and grounds, and residential staff life. This position reports to the Executive Director and facilitates the coordination of
operations of core staff, including the areas of buildings and grounds, kitchen, household, and human and material resources.
Primary areas of responsibility:
• Facilitates the coordination of daily operations of Earthdance among the core staff;
• Monitors the planning and process of the Building and Grounds department;
• Communicate directly with rental organizers, acting as primary logistical liaison between Earthdance and rental clients, and event host during rental programs.
Areas of responsibility may include:
• Directs and supervises volunteers engaged in Earthdance operations.
• Prompts planning and preparation of work schedules and assignment of volunteers to specific duties.
• Maintains meeting schedules and agendas.
• Identifies projects and steers collaborative prioritization.
• Monitors projects.
• Attends to the Earthdance budgets and reviews financials with Core Staff and Associate Director of Finance on an ongoing basis, with particular oversight of the household expenses.
• Stays abreast of issues relating to code compliance and safety for Earthdance buildings and grounds with Buildings & Grounds Manager.
• Manages logistics and lodging coordination with all rental group organizers.
• Attends weekly Core Staff meetings, and Operations Meetings; responsible for weekly All Staff meetings, House Cleans, and Volunteer meetings. Occasionally leads meal preps and meal cleans for rental groups and Earthdance programs.
• Meets regularly with Buildings & Grounds Manager, Kitchen Manager, and Office Manager.
• Leads in selecting and orienting volunteers, arranging training and housing for volunteers, and
• stewarding the Earthdance volunteer program.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Skills/Competencies:
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• Background in engineering, architecture, construction, or related
• Understanding of Massachusetts building codes and regulations
• Experience hosting and coordinating program logistics and operations
• Experience supervising and leading teams
• Background in customer service and sales
• Ability to develop spreadsheets and budgets using Microsoft excel
Preferred Skills/Competencies:
• Strong interest in, and previous experience with, cooperative living and community building
• Strong team leadership skills in a live/work environment
• Ability to work for condensed periods of time under pressure, with high volumes of people
• Ability to manage personal work schedule depending on requirements/responsibilities as needed
• Professional demeanor and work ethic
• Strong administrative capacity; strong email and telephone response-time and etiquette
• Written and verbal communication skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Self-motivated, able to self-direct and take direction
• Ability to maintain positivity and composure under pressure
• Ability to handle changes in work priorities with ease
• Ability to interface with others using tact and diplomacy
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information
We request that you consider an initial employment period of two years; however, you would be employed at Earthdance on an at-will basis. Training is available beginning February 1, 2015, and is unpaid in wages, though room and board are available throughout the training period.
The position start date is March 1, 2015. This is a 120 hour/month, residential core staff position. Work regularly requires availability on weekends and evenings. Compensation includes $650/mo salary, room and board. Benefits include paid time off, complimentary workshops and jams, access to Earthdance studio spaces, guest privileges, and community development opportunities.
Applicants who are available upon the position training date and/or start date are highly desired.
Women, people of color, LGBT, and/or people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
To apply: send resume and cover letter to jobsatearthdance@gmail.com
Applications received by or before January 15, 2015 receive first priority.