At Esalen, we believe in the power of our potential -- both in our staff and in our global community of students and faculty who turn to us for transformative learning experiences. More than 50 years ago, Esalen co-founders imagined a place inspired by Abraham Maslow’s psychology of peak experiences and Aldous Huxley’s belief in “human potentialities”, the unrealized capacities of our mind and body. Today we build on this legacy by creating deep connections in a world challenged by disconnection and isolation; reigniting awe and wonder to spark greater curiosity about ourselves and others; and asking the questions that can lead to transformative change both for an individual and society.

Esalen isn’t just a place to work, it’s an invitation to help change the world.

Overview

The Safety Manager plays a critical role in fostering a culture of preparedness and protection at the Esalen Institute. This role is responsible for maintaining and implementing Esalen’s emergency and crisis response Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring consistent safety training and preparedness across the organization, and serving as a key leader during incidents requiring coordination, communication, and rapid response. The Safety Manager oversees gate operations as the central hub for security and safety and supports the Director of Safety in both day-to-day protocols and high-stakes events. The Safety Manager also ensures that Esalen meets all relevant safety certifications and complies with applicable local, state, and federal codes and regulations.

Key Responsibilities

Emergency Preparedness & SOP Management

Maintain and regularly update Esalen’s emergency and crisis SOPs in coordination with the Director of Safety.
Ensure all SOPs are accessible, current, and effectively communicated across relevant departments.
Support real-time application of SOPs during crises or drills.

Training & Drills

Own the safety training calendar, coordinating regular drills (e.g., fire, earthquake, evacuation) and ongoing education for staff and residents.
Schedule, track, and evaluate participation in training; revise programs as needed for improved engagement and efficacy.
Collaborate cross-departmentally to ensure alignment with organizational needs and regulatory requirements.

Gate Operations Oversight

Manage the front gate personnel and schedule as Esalen’s 24/7 safety and security touchpoint.
Train and oversee gate personnel to ensure consistent protocols for access control, check-ins, incident reporting, and emergency coordination.
Ensure the gate team acts as the first point of contact during emergencies and upholds a culture of calm, clear, and effective communication.

Incident & Crisis Leadership

Serve as a boots-on-the-ground leader during emergencies, evacuations, or high-risk incidents.
Activate and lead incident response protocols in alignment with SOPs.
Support communication and coordination with outside emergency services when applicable.

Compliance & Certifications

Ensure Esalen’s ongoing compliance with OSHA, CAL/OSHA, fire codes, building codes, and other applicable local, state, and federal safety regulations.
Maintain all required documentation and manage processes for inspections, certifications, and safety audits.
Collaborate with Facilities and Operations teams to resolve safety hazards and implement corrective actions.
Track and renew required certifications and licenses (e.g., AED, CPR/First Aid, fire extinguishers, evacuation maps)
Coordinates with Human Resources to ensure all staff safety and training documentation is uploaded to employee files, and along with Human Resources maintains the calendar for recurrent safety related training for all staff.

Support of Director of Safety

Assist the Director of Safety and Risk Management with planning, compliance, and real-time response coordination.
Serve as a deputy leader in their absence during emergencies or crises.
Collaborate in safety audits, policy development, and after-action reviews.

Assists the Safety Director in conducting regular inspections of all safety equipment on appropriate intervals, including, but not limited to: Fire hoses, fire hydrants/standpipes, AED kit, First Aid kit, fire extinguishers.

Qualifications

3–5 years of experience in safety, emergency response, security, or risk management.
Strong knowledge of emergency preparedness, crisis response, and safety protocols.
Familiarity with OSHA, CAL/OSHA, and fire/life safety codes.
Experience coordinating safety training and managing incident documentation.
Calm, clear communicator and skilled organizer under pressure.
Ability to lead in urgent situations with a grounded, professional demeanor.
CPR/First Aid certification required; ICS/NIMS or FEMA training preferred.
Experience in a residential, retreat, or nonprofit setting is a plus.

FLEXIBILITY

Esalen functions best when all staff work toward the common mission of encouraging everyone to reach our highest human potential. With this goal in mind, this job description is not intended to cover or contain an all-encompassing listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice based on Esalen’s and your team’s needs.

Compensation And Benefits

The pay for this position is commensurate with experience. This role includes a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and paid time off. Esalen gives teammates access to an extensive range of daily experiential classes (yoga, dance, tai chi, and meditation), ongoing in-house education and training programs, and scholarship for Esalen workshops and massage.

$63,000 - $80,000 a year

Housing available on-site (residential fee charged)
All meals provided
The pay for this position will be commensurate with experience and internal equity

Esalen provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans.

Esalen Institute

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SAFETY MANAGER