Position Title: Discussion Group Leader and Meditation Instructor (DGL/MI) – Foundations of Mindfulness

of Positions to Fill: 3

Department/Program: MTC 12040

Remote Work Authorization: 100% On-Site

Campus Location: Nalanda Campus

Reports to: MTC Department Chair

FLSA Classification: Exempt/Salaried

FTE: 15% (6 hrs/week)

Compensation: $315/credit – Paid by Course agreement (stipend)

Application Deadline: 12/1 or until filled.

Job Summary

The Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling department seeks several Discussion Group Leader/Meditation Instructors (DGL/MI) to support CNST-622, Foundations of Mindfulness in the residential concentration.

Thisis a one-semester appointment.

This is a 2-credit course offered in the residential Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling concentration , to be taught in-person from August 26, 2024 – December 13, 2024.

Course section days and times:

Tuesdays, 8:30 am – 11:20 am

Wednesdays, 8:30 am – 11:20 am

Thursdays, 8:30 am – 11:20 am

Thursdays, 11:45 am – 2:35 pm

Thursdays, 3:00 pm – 5:50 pm

Course Description

CNST-622 Foundations of Meditation (2 Credits)

Mindfulness, the ability to be fully present with interest and acceptance, is essential for the skillful counselor. This course presents basic mindfulness meditation practices with additional techniques for practicing with emotions, somatic sensations, and thoughts to support the cultivation of counselor presence. Buddhist roots, evidence-based secular mindfulness, and applications of mindfulness to self-knowledge are emphasized.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide individual 30-minute sessions of meditation instruction for up to 9 students 2 times during semester, scheduled outside of class time.
• Attend up to 9 class meetings, or equivalent amount of time scheduled with course Instructor of Record.
• Facilitate live small group meetings for up to 9 students during some class meetings.
• Respond up to 9 students' online discussion posts, where relevant.
• Facilitate and provide feedback up to 9 students’ participation in Warrior Exchange.
• Read up to 9 students' papers (for understanding students' experience, without evaluation).
• As appropriate, work with the course instructor to manage and/or mediate student issues and educational obstacles.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Have authorization to teach mindfulness meditation in a relevant contemplative tradition, at Naropa or elsewhere, such as evidenced by:

a.) Successful completion of Mindfulness Teaching Training program appropriate to the relevant contemplative tradition, resulting in authorization to teach; or

b.) Individual training in teaching mindfulness meditation with an authorized teacher from a recognized contemplative tradition (minimum three (3) years), and a letter of recommendation speaking to person’s experience and understanding of meditation practice and readiness to teach.

• Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, or a related field.

• Ability to create and maintain a positive team environment and behave professionally with everyone encountered in the course and scope of the job duties.

• Ability to work both independently and as a part of a close team, working collaboratively with course instructor and students.

• High degree of emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and communication skills.

All job candidates must demonstrate an appropriate level of understanding of and appreciation for the values of Naropa University and the capacity to demonstrate an integration and embodiment of these values as evidenced in work, communication, collaboration styles, and other general workplace behaviors.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive understanding of and experience with mindfulness meditation
• Understanding of and experience with contemplative education pedagogy.
• Experience in training counselors at the graduate level.
• Recent and/or current experience in the counseling field .
• Familiarity with Naropa’s Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Psychology Counseling concentration.
• Prior experience with direct clinical work in counseling, psychology, or related field.

Physical Requirements & Environmental Conditions

Faculty members spend most of their time in their classrooms with some time in offices. In the classrooms and on campus may experience: interruptions, distractions, heat, cold, dust and/or dampness. As a faculty member, you may spend extended periods in front of students and speaking as well as:

• Reading academic texts and materials, student papers, etc.
• Operating personal computer and audio-visual equipment.
• Standing or sitting for hours at a time.
• Moving around campus for classes and meetings.

Naropa recognizes the following holidays throughout the year:

-Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

-Memorial Day

-Juneteenth

-Independence Day

-Labor Day

-Fall Break, 4th Thursday and Friday in November

-Winter Break, the last two weeks in December encompassing the Christmas holiday as well as New Year’s

Naropa’s health and welfare benefits include the following: medical, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, employer-paid short-term and long-term disability, employer-paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment, an employer-sponsored pre-tax retirement savings plan, which includes up to 2.5% employer matching, and a variety of voluntary, employee-paid supplemental insurance plans.

A comprehensive benefits package is available to full-time employees who work a minimum of 30 hours each week. Employees who work 20 – 29 hours each week are eligible for only the employer-paid short-term & long-term disability, employer-paid life insurance & accidental death and dismemberment, and the retirement plan, which includes up to 2.5% employer matching.

Employees who work fewer than 20 hours per week are eligible to participate in Naropa’s retirement plan only, which includes up to 2.5% employer matching.

All regular full-time and part-time faculty and staff, including student workers, accrue sick leave benefits. Full-time and part-time staff positions accrue vacation and personal time. All leave accrual rates vary based on the position, hours worked, and years of service.

The University recognizes the importance of including its employees in its organizational mission and values and welcomes employees into the classroom to “touch the magic.” Specifically, regular employees are provided generous tuition remission opportunities for themselves and their family members.

Naropa University participates in the Council of Independent Colleges Tuition Exchange Program (CIC-TEP). CIC-TEP is a network of CIC colleges and universities willing to accept, tuition-free, students from families of full-time employees of other CIC participating institutions (full-time as designated by the employer/institution). Additional information can be found here: https://www.cic.edu/member-services/tuition-exchange-program.

Naropa University is an equal opportunity, non-discriminatory employer and Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits gender discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual and relationship violence. This law applies to all students, faculty, and staff.