Operations Support Associate, Seasonal

Position Summary

The Operations Support Associate is responsible for ensuring the guest experience for each retreat is exceptional and aligned with our mission at Big Bear Retreat Center (BBRC). You are a nurturer by nature, eager to help and ensure guests have everything they need to feel safe, comfortable and present at our center. You are as comfortable taking registrations, assisting guests, the kitchen and housekeeping for a seamless experience You are service- and safety-minded to the core, and graceful under pressure.

This role coordinates directly with the Operations team to ensure a smooth retreat, from arrival to departure, and to ensure the campus and accommodations are prepped and ready to go. This role requires attention to detail, teamwork, communication and grace under pressure.

Compensation Range: $22 - $25 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications.

BBRC Overview

Big Bear Retreat Center (BBRC) is a retreat destination located on +/-100 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest - and bordering 800 acres of protected forest. Founded in 2018, BBRC was envisioned as a Southern California meditation residential retreat destination. Our main offerings continue to be silent meditation retreats, but part of BBRC’s mission also includes providing retreat space for other groups, with a focus on being an accessible center to people who may not otherwise experience retreats.

BBRC offers meditation, dharma, and respite retreats, as well as non-meditation retreats for other mission aligned organizations and individuals. BBRC has collaborated with partners to provide inclusive meditation retreats including the first residential transgender and gender expansive retreat, Spanish language retreat, Black Women’s retreat, teens of color retreat, and more. Big Bear Retreat Center has also partnered with or hosted non-profit and social justice organizations across Southern California. 

Big Bear Retreat Center is located a 2.5-hour drive from Los Angeles, nestled in the ancient Juniper forests of the San Bernardino Mountains at a 7,000-foot elevation (four mountain seasons) near the town of Big Bear Lake.

BBRC Mission

Big Bear Retreat Center is a residential retreat center that provides space for mindfulness, respite, and healing to foster individual and collective transformation and illuminate our connection with nature, one another, and society. 

BBRC Vision

Big Bear Retreat Center provides quality hospitality and care in a beautiful natural setting to foster connection, build community, and shape positive social change. We engage across world views, practices, and backgrounds to cultivate generations of leaders and change makers that promote greater compassion, equity, and justice in the world. One retreat at a time.

Role and Responsibilities:

Registrar:

• Assists with guest check-in/registration and check-out.
• Helps to post schedules and retreat information.
• Assists with online registration and roomchart preparations, as needed.

Communications:

• Coordinates and communicates with the operations team for all preparatory guest needs, requests and special arrangements: kitchen, housekeeping, facilities.
• Coordinates closely with the Program Production Coordinator and Guest Services Manager to understand group needs and shares guest reports as needed.

Guest Experience:

• Assists housekeeping with campus flips and ensures all cabin details are seen to with a focus on cleanliness, safety and accessibility. 
• Participates in pre-arrival facilities inspections and resets in advance of group arrival.
• Considers continual improvements of the property and logistics of retreats.
• Ensures that offsite houses are guest ready and details are seen to for arrival, post check and assist in cleaning upon departure
• Manages dining area snack table and beverage station stocking,and cleanliness.
• Supports the kitchen staff as needed, helping with dishes and re-stocking

Admin:

• Tracks supplies in off site homes and housekeeping storage.
• Inventories and orders housekeeping supplies, makes recommendations of sustainable, eco-friendly upgrades
• Inventories and orders guest snacks, juices and supplies
• Inventories and manages honor store restocking

Role Requirements:

• 1+ years of experience in hospitality / guest services
• Strong skills in working with computers and software registration systems, including proficiency in Google / Microsoft Office Suite
• Professional communication skills—in person and online, verbal and written
• Calm response in busy situations, effective in conflict management and decision-making
• Proactive by nature, detail-oriented and good at anticipating needs in various situations
• Very strong organizational, administration and time management skills
• Ability to work in a collaborative team environment
• Positive approach to supervision of others and relationship building
• A sincere interest in supporting guests in an inclusive and equitable environment for all
• Service-oriented and a proactive problem solver
• Completes tasks thoroughly and with excellence 
• Works primarily on campus from staff office, to establish on-land presence
• Flexible work schedule: typically 5 days a week, but will vary depending on retreats. 

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Ability to speak a second language is helpful
• Experience with health, safety, and emergency management issues
• Experience with working in remote environments and/or retreat center environments
• Experience managing events during COVID-19 and navigating safety protocols

Employee may experience the following physical demands for extended periods of time: 

• Sitting, standing, walking
• Working at a computer or on calls
• Bending, reaching, kneeling
• Driving golf cart

Big Bear Retreat Center is an equal opportunity employer. At BBRC we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.