Communication & Publication Specialist – Self Enquiry Life Fellowship

In order to have your application considered you must submit a cover letter explaining your motivation to serve with a spiritual organization and clearly specifying spiritual intent or serious interest in contemplative living; the letter should also address your interest in serving as a personal communications staff of a head monk.

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Introduction & Background

Self Enquiry Life Fellowship, a Santa Barbara-based top-rated US nonprofit organization, is currently seeking a mature professional who is a spiritual aspirant and looking for a meaningful and spiritually rewarding on-site position of Communication & Publication Specialist. This is an anchor-staff position who will lead high-end editorial workflow based on the direct monastic briefings in areas such as: copy editing; curriculum content planning; publication project management; communication; website updates; social media management; and community outreach. This is an on-site position, but there is flexibility in the daily schedule of working hours, and the possibility to work 1 day per week remotely is also negotiable.

The position also involves preparing indigenous knowledge content for publication of books and website content while working closely with monastics and a small team of editors. Online publication related work includes preparing of edit logs and release notes for the subscription-based app, Hansavedas Academy (hansavedas.academy) and coursework content creation and editing, such as reading material, for the Sambhala Ecourse University (sambhala.hansavedas.org).

The Nonprofit was established to preserve and disseminate indigenous knowledge and spiritual philosophy from the ancient Sanskrit heritage of the Vedic tradition. The Nonprofit’s head monk, His Holiness Swami Vidyadhishananda, is a Himalayan siddha and a living saint who offers spiritual guidance to sincere seekers through a number of forums including spiritual fellowships, meditation services, workshops and retreats. In addition to these services, Self Enquiry Life Fellowship is undertaking several projects related to the preservation of Sanskrit-based wisdom, Vedic fine arts and classical music. For more details please visit hansavedas.org and its related websites.

Employees become part of a core team and work alongside dedicated volunteers in a deeply spiritual environment. The team works under the guidance of His Holiness Swami Vidyadhishananda who primarily lives at his seminary residence. This position offers a unique opportunity to blossom spiritually and serve in an organization which values and promotes Himalayan meditation and higher yoga, personal spiritual empowerment and mindfulness.

The Nonprofit offers careers to those who are looking for meaningful service-oriented employment and makes an extra effort to nurture staff who are seriously looking to inculcate a deep spiritual lifestyle. Background in areas of high-end editorial work with attendant digital fluency, experience in print publication, or previous experience in an anchor position at a monastery receiving direct summary briefings from a head monk will be a great plus.

The candidate must be flexible, open to learning and adapting to alternative office procedures, including the protocols necessary when working with monks. The expectations for this anchor position include spiritual sensitivity combined with technical expertise. The candidate should be able to align and grow into this position seamlessly, by adapting to the fellowship culture and the service-oriented mission.

Strong computers skills are necessary. Ability to learn new software platforms is required. English composition skills are a must. Clear understanding of high-end editorial work, technical research, and book and web content design in a quiet contemplative environment is necessary. This position primarily works with the head monk as the personal lead staff and is involved in relaying messages as a spokesperson. The staff should be willing to relocate or move when the Nonprofit relocates its headquarters within California.

Framework & Scope

The Nonprofit is deeply engaged in preserving and transferring the legacy of the ancient Sanskrit-based indigenous heritage from its associated Indic monasteries to its USA operations for global dissemination.

This global cultural transmission requires coordinating leadership by a staff with an international vision.

The position might be suitable for someone who has international communications work experience with UNESCO or a similarly reputable NGO with a global presence. The position requires navigating complex professional communications and logistics for handling and transferring indigenous archival material, such as manuscripts, rare books, vintage artwork and copyrighted chanting recordings from its Indic Vedic resources and help create a legacy in the USA.

Besides securing the means of facilitating the legacy transfer through deft communication across nations with heads of institutions and related archival libraries, the candidate will need to lead several new projects by which the underfunded and rapidly evaporating Indic Vedic legacy projects can be revived and developed for cultural transmission. Because of the complexities of transnational laws and international copyrighting, a candidate with an academic rigour in a field relevant to these needs will be more suitable.

We are looking for a staff with proficiency in translating, editing, and coordinating multilingual content across modern languages. Travel experience through Asia and the cultural centres of the European Union will be a plus and will greatly add to the English language fluency in order to work directly as a personal communications staff of our head monk.

This staff will need the international understanding and spiritual sensitivity to serve as a personal confidante of the head monk and will be the point of contact for incoming and outgoing communication who can prepare and execute communications briefings liaising the members of the monasteries in India and the Meditation Centre in the USA.

In this capacity the communication staff will represent the head monk to facilitate the flow of projects related to monasteries, temples, monastic councils, and heads of institutions, and heads of state, especially when special permissions might be involved, in order to effect the transfer of legacy elements.

Primary Responsibilities – Daily or Weekly

• Write, edit and distribute various types of content for mass email platforms, website, social media, compliance documents, contractual agreements, personal correspondence, and training manuals both in creative and corporate capacities.
• Compile and prepare lists for mass email, including list development, drafting content, editing, testing, and sending and reporting.
• Produce mass emails for event registration, and phone outreach using CRM database administration using import, export, merge, lookup and filter commands.
• Manage and respond to relevant email inquiries; draft email replies dictated by the head monk.
• Serve as lead manager of online events, coordinating content production, outreach planning, logistics, digital operations, team management, production schedule, event registration, and attendance.
• Serve as lead coordinator for digital content development for the publication of online courses and audio and video files on the Nonprofit’s websites. Track editorial development and coordinate physical production. Upload media files, graphics, text and other supplemental content. Assist with creating landing pages for Online Courses.
• Coordinate with Graphic Designers, Medical Illustrators, and AV Team to develop visual and video content. Prepare project submissions, brief designers/illustrators via screenshare and other methods, review work submissions and finalize work product.
• Proof online media and adjunct files for correct file-naming conventions and metadata. Once uploaded to their online destination, proof for corresponding release descriptions, titles, and SEO descriptors.
• Create and coordinate content to produce social media and advertising campaigns on Facebook.
• Coordinate Google Ad Grant administration with independent contractors to integrate recommended website design edits with written copy.
• Organize and oversee the production and execution of the annual art auction of monastery paintings and vintage photos.

Primary Responsibilities – Long term and future

• Serve alongside Operations Specialist and core volunteers to coordinate in-person events such as retreats, workshops, fundraisers/benefit events and lectures – evaluating suitability of venue for monastics, assisting booking, budgeting, planning execution and logistics, and preparing editorial content and registration outreach.
• Assist with copy editing or manage outsourced editing services for book projects.
• Prepare and organize photos and images for specific book projects under author’s direction.
• Research internet archives and digital/stock libraries for relevant images for the website and book projects.
• Manage copyright/rights-managed release terms from third parties.
• Handle official communication on academic/book publication matters representing His Holiness.

Secondary Responsibilities (assisting or comanaging with other staff)

• Serve as the content administrator of the website using WordPress. This includes updating existing content, drafting new content, adding new content from the Monastics and other editors or contributors, maintaining the web calendar, coordinating with independent contractors to maintain updates and fix bugs.
• Liaise between monastics and AV editor for tracking, anticipating and coordinating AV editing workflow progress.
• Assist with Nonprofit archive collection management, including research assistance, acquisition, cataloguing, record keeping, digitizing (digital asset management) and publication.
• Comanage or assist with printing process for all auction artwork, including: editorial release notes on artwork, coordination with Graphic Designer, coordination with local printer, critical evaluation of proofs, and communication of feedback and edits to Graphic Designer and/or printer.
• Assist with properly labeling, filing and storing all printed proofs in Nonprofit’s office.
• Assist with coordinating the matting and framing of prints. · Evaluate the organization’s websites and implement improvements to the user experience and content.
• Assist with design and image editing tasks that utilize the Adobe Creative Suite.
• Ensure that all photos taken during events/fellowships are cataloged and tagged immediately after events.
• Collaborate on special projects, perform research, write reports, develop relationships and lead representation as needed.

Qualifications & Skills Needed

• Bachelor’s degree and professional work experience
• Strong English writing and editing skills
• Organized and detail-oriented
• Clear communicator on the phone and in writing
• Strong analytical and research skills
• Exemplary interpersonal skills; works easily with volunteers
• Courteous communication skills; maintains a positive & spiritual demeanor

Required Proficiencies

• Experience producing mass email communications
• Experience planning events and managing event production
• Experience managing file formats for audio, image, and video
• Experience solving problems in teams
• MS Office, especially Excel
• Salesforce or other CRM
• Zoom Large Meetings and Webinars
• Facebook Business Manager
• Constant Contact or another mass email tool
• Google Sheets
• Eventbrite

Preferred Proficiencies

• Editorial experience book publishing
• Experience with print and digital publishing
• Experience with UX design
• WordPress
• Google AdWords
• Adobe Creative Suite

Requirements

• Must be seeking a deeply spiritual environment for inner growth and be spiritually aligned
• Must be a professional, cooperative team player and a proven self-starter
• Must uphold honor code in managing work hours and workflow
• Must have own vehicle and automobile insurance
• Must be a US citizen or a US Permanent Resident
• Must be willing to relocate when the Nonprofit relocates its headquarters within California.

Benefits
Free attendance at fellowships, retreats and workshops of the Nonprofit; Lunch and snacks on workdays; on-the-job training and external courses. Exempt full-time salary will depend upon qualification and professional experience.

Submit:

• Curriculum Vitae (or a résumé detailing education, professional work experience, editorial skills and technical skills).
• Cover letter explaining the motivation to serve with a spiritual organization clearly specifying spiritual intent or serious interest in alignment with contemplative living; the letter should also address interest in serving as a personal communications staff of a head monk.
• List of references (can wait until later in the interview process).

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View the Nonprofit’s profile on Guidestar: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/20-3478668

Read this article to learn more about our shared values at the workplace: https://hansavedas.org/work-is-worship/‘

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00 – $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

Supplemental Pay:

• Bonus pay

Application Question(s):

• Describe your background and interest in spirituality, meditation or yoga.
• Do you have a good understanding of our organization’s mission? If so, what aspects of the mission are you most drawn to?
• Why do you want to work for a spiritual Nonprofit?
• Are you willing to relocate to Santa Barbara where the Nonprofit has its headquarters? The Nonprofit may also move its headquarters within the next 2 years to Northern California. Would you be willing to make this second move/relocation?
• Will you submit a formal cover letter addressing the points per the job posting to employment@hansavedas.org? Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Education:

• Bachelor’s (Required)

Experience:

• Salesforce: 1 year (Preferred)
• Microsoft Office: 5 years (Required)
• Facebook Advertising: 1 year (Preferred)
• Google AdWords: 1 year (Preferred)
• Editing: 3 years (Required)
• WordPress: 2 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver’s License (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Preferred)

Work Location: Multiple Locations