WORKING AND SERVING AT LE MOULIN
JOINING THE MOULIN STAFF AND VOLUNTEER TEAM
During certain times of the year, people can come and join the Moulin staff and volunteer team, supporting areas such as the kitchen, household , garden and administration. You may wish to come in a full or part time paid position, or as a volunteer work retreatant for up to 2 months.
Working here is a practice of Seva / Service, looking after and caring for between 20 to 80 visitors/retreatants each week, whilst living, working and practicing alongside other staff, volunteers and full time residents. We try to foster an atmosphere of kindness and care for all, supported by our mindfulness practice, in the silence, in solitude, in community and interaction.
The Moulin staff and volunteer team support themselves with daily meditations together, plus the guidance and support of resident teachers. There is also the opportunity to attend some of the retreats (not all) work schedule allowing.
Please read job descriptions and availability below.
To apply you need to have previous retreat experience, a background and ongoing practice in meditation and Dharma and be committed to living, working and practicing in community, for the benefit of all beings. You need to be able to live and work in silence and to work independently.
Don’t hesitate to send us your application form and CV even if the position you are interested in appears as “filled”.
SEASONAL PAID POSITIONS
KITCHEN COORDINATOR - Position filled
Availability
From mid March until early November 2024 (with a 2 or 3 week break in September) We will also consider shorter stays.
Job description
We are seeking a Kitchen Coordinator to help maintain a clean, safe and nourishing kitchen in a retreat environment.
For this role it is necessary to have previous experience in a kitchen setting, have good organisational and managing skills, work effectively in a multi-tasking environment and enjoy preparing and cooking food and keeping the kitchen clean and organised.
It is important to feel at ease and happy to work with other people in an atmosphere of silence and be prepared to work under pressure at times.
Being able to understand and to speak basic French will be necessary.
Primary responsibilities include the following:
– Overseeing the harmonious operation of the kitchen
– Managing the kitchen team and volunteers
– Ensuring the quality and hygiene of food
– Assisting the chef with lunch and dinner preparation
– Being able to prepare and serve homemade, high-quality vegetarian meals
– Maintaining a clean, orderly and efficient workplace
– Performing support cook duties including food preparation, cleaning, organising and special diets
– Setting the buffet area
– Breakfast preparation and lay out
– Washing pots, cleaning floors, and performing other cleaning tasks
– Going shopping
– Removing trash, recycling, and food scraps from the kitchen
– Collecting bread from our local boulangerie
– Checking in, putting away and organising deliveries
– Explaining contemplative work tasks to retreatants and overseeing Karma Yoga periods
– Cooking for the moulin staff when there are no retreats.
– Having 1 or 2 days off each week depending on the program
– Happy to work varying shifts as scheduled, with some start times at 6h00 whilst some shifts ending at 20h30 pm
– Supports and protects silent retreat environments
HOUSEHOLD COORDINATOR - Position filled
Availability:
Mid end May to early beginning of September 2024
Job description
We are seeking a Household coordinator to create a clean, organised and welcoming environment for retreatants and visiting teachers.
This role will involve maintaining clean, tidy spaces in our buildings, which range from over a 100-year-old old factory in beautiful condition to modern accommodations built in recent years.
It is important to feel at ease and happy to work independently and in an atmosphere of silence and be prepared to work under pressure at times.
Being able to understand and to speak basic French will be necessary.
Primary responsibilities include the following:
– Keeping buildings clean and orderly on an ongoing basis by performing a wide range of cleaning duties.
– Performing a variety of cleaning activities such as, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, dusting bathroom cleaning, making beds, window washing, laundry, and similar housekeeping tasks.
– Ensuring all rooms are cared for and inspected according to standards
– Tracking inventory; organising and restocking of supplies.
– Creating and overseeing flower arrangements.
– Checking in, putting away and organising bed linen deliveries
– Explaining contemplative work tasks to retreatants
– Having 1 or 2 days off each week depending on the program.
– Assisting in other areas of Le Moulin as and when needed (kitchen wash up, breakfast prep, collecting bread from local boulangerie, etc)
– Required to work varying shifts as scheduled, with start times as early as 6:00 am and ending times as late as 08:30 pm
– Supports and protects silent retreat environment
– Keeping buildings clean and orderly on an ongoing basis by performing a wide range of cleaning duties.
– Performing a variety of cleaning activities such as, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, dusting bathroom cleaning, making beds, window washing, laundry, and similar housekeeping tasks.
GARDENER / MAINTENANCE COORDINATOR - Position Filled
Availability
Mid march until early November 2024 with a few weeks free in September (shorter periods will also be considered)
Job Description
We are looking for an experienced person to take care of the Moulin grounds. This will involve managing 1,5 hectares of land ( mixed between grass areas, shaded park and ornamental gardens) and supporting the smooth running of the different infrastructures.
It is important to feel at ease and be happy to work discreetly, independently in a quiet and silent environment. For this position you need to be healthy and physically fit.
Being able to understand and to speak basic French will be necessary.
Primary responsibilities include the following:
– General maitenance: Cutting down bamboo, weeding, watering, making bouquets of flowers, moving/chopping wood, etc.
–Undertaking a wide variety of basic maintenance related tasks, i.e. control of hot water and central heating, fuses, lighting, minor DIY repairs, etc.
– Gradual development of various ornamental areas.
– Relaying with our external gardener and maintenance person.
– Explaining contemplative work tasks to retreat participants.
GENERAL MANAGER - Position filled
SUPPORT PERSON - Position filled
From mid March until early November 2024 (with a 2 or 3 week break in September).
The Support person contributes to overall retreat preparation, welcoming participants, delivering opening and closing talks regarding housekeeping matters and liaising with the General Manager.
They support the smooth running of the kitchen area and the household area.
And during the retreats, they attend to participants’ requests and are available in case of emergencies.
They need to have a hands on approach and not be shy to help out and in any task that is required of them.
A successful applicant will have the following:
- Retreat experience and a committed dharma practice for more than 3 years.
- Excellent organisational and relational skills
- Be completely fluent in either English or French, and have at least a moderate level of the other.
- Be committed to this position for 2 years.
WORK RETREATANTS
This season we are looking for volunteer work retreatants to help out in household, kitchen and multi-task role, for periods ranging from 2 weeks for the multi-task position, to 4-6-8 weeks for positions in household or kitchen.
Working here is a practice of service, of silence, caring for 20 to 80 visitors on retreat each week, living and working alongside other staff and full time residents.
Work retreatants will work 5 hours per day, 5.5 days a week with 1.5 day off a week. There are staff/team meditation periods which you are encouraged to attend and you will meet with a teacher/facilitator to discuss your time and practice here. They’re maybe the opportunity to participate in some (not all) of Le Moulin retreats and events, according to the working schedule.
If you are considering coming for more than 2 weeks, you should have previous retreat experience, at Le Moulin or elsewhere.
For more information, don’t hesitate to contact us here:
VOLUNTEER WORK RETREATANT POSITIONS
MULTI-TASK/VARIED ROLE - April to October 2024
Availability :
We recommend a maximum stay of two weeks. Think of arriving one day before a retreat starts and leaving one day after it ends.
At the moment we have availability only during :
15/04/2024 – 21/04/2024
22/04/2024 – 27/04/2024
29/04/2024 – 05/05/2024
07/05/2024 – 12/05/2024
12/05/2024 – 19/05/2024
20/05/2024 – 26/05/2024
27/05/2024 – 02/06/2024
12/06/2024 – 22/06/2024
27/06/2024 – 30/06/2024
01/07/2024 – 07/07/2024
08/07/2024 – 14/07/2024
15/07/2024 – 20/07/2024
22/07/2024 – 27/07/2024
29/07/2024 – 04/08/2024
05/08/2024 – 10/08/2024
12/08/2024 – 17/08/2024
18/08/2024 – 25/08/2024
23/09/2024 – 29/09/2024
30/09/2024 – 06/10/2024
07/09/2024 – 13/09/2024
14/10/2024 – 20/10/2024
21/10/2024 – 27/10/2024
28/10/2024 – 02/11/2024
Job description
This job involves helping out in different areas around Le Moulin as and when needed, mostly in household and kitchen.
It is important to feel at ease and happy to work independently in an atmosphere of silence and be prepared to work under pressure at times.
Being able to understand and to speak basic French will be very helpful.
Task overview for each area (Please read the description for kitchen assistant and household areas for more detailed information).
Household: cleaning duties, including, but not limited to: vacuuming, bathroom cleaning, making beds, window washing, laundry, and similar housekeeping tasks
Kitchen: assisting the chef and kitchen manager in the kitchen with meal preparation, washing up kitchen utensils and putting them away, sweeping, mopping, etc.
Gardening (less often): cutting down bamboo, weeding, watering, making bouquets of flowers, moving/cutting wood, etc.
In the job the person will:
- Help out in different areas around the center as and when needed, see below a brief description
- Have 1.5 or 2 days off each week depending on the program
- Have to explain contemplative work tasks to retreatants
- Be required to work varying shifts as scheduled, with start times as early as 6:00 am and ending times as late as 20:30 pm
- Be expected to support and protect the silent retreat environment;
KITCHEN VOLUNTEER - April to October 2024
Availability:
Minimum stay of 4 weeks and maximum of 8, from mid April to early November 2024.
For this role you should have an established meditation practice and previous retreat experience.
Bellow are some suggested periods for 2024 as per retreat. Think of arriving one day before and leaving one day after the dates below:
15/04/2024 – 21/04/2024
22/04/2024 – 27/04/2024
29/04/2024 – 05/05/2024
12/05/2024 – 19/05/2024
20/05/2024 – 26/05/2024
27/06/2024 – 30/06/2024
01/07/2024 – 07/07/2024
08/07/2024 – 14/07/2024
15/07/2024 – 20/07/2024
29/07/2024 – 04/08/2024
18/08/2024 – 25/08/2024
26/08/2024 – 31/08/2024
23/09/2024 – 29/09/2024
30/09/2024 – 06/10/2024
07/09/2024 – 13/09/2024
14/10/2024 – 20/10/2024
21/10/2024 – 27/10/2024
28/10/2024 – 02/11/2024
Job description
For this role it is recommended to have previous experience in a kitchen setting and to enjoy preparing food and keeping the kitchen clean and organised.
It is important to feel at ease and happy to work in an atmosphere of silence and be prepared to work under pressure at times.
Being able to understand and to speak basic French will be necessary.
Primary responsibilities include the following:
– Assist the head chef and the kitchen manager in preparing, lunches and dinners.
– Washing serving dishes, utensils and kitchen equipment
– Keeping the kitchen and related areas clean and organized (rear kitchen, dining hall, buffet area, dining tables, etc)
– Removing trash, recycling, and food scraps from the kitchen
– Sweeping and mopping kitchen
– Preparing breakfast and collecting bread from our local boulangerie
– Checking in, putting away and organizing deliveries
– Explaining contemplative work tasks to retreatants
– Having 1 day off each week.
– Assisting in other areas of Le Moulin as and when needed. Assisting with cleaning chores around the retreat center between courses to prepare for the next course.
– Required to work varying shifts as scheduled, with start times as early as 6:00 am and ending times as late as 08:30 pm
– Supports and protects silent retreat environment.
HOUSEHOLD VOLUNTEER - April to October 2024
Availability (preferably 1 month stay):
Availability:
Minimum stay of 4 weeks and maximum of 8, from mid April to early November 2024.
For this role you should have an established meditation practice and previous retreat experience.
Bellow are some suggested periods for 2024 as per retreat. Think of arriving one day before and leaving one day after the dates below:
15/04/2024 – 21/04/2024
22/04/2024 – 27/04/2024
29/04/2024 – 05/05/2024
12/05/2024 – 19/05/2024
20/05/2024 – 26/05/2024
27/06/2024 – 30/06/2024
01/07/2024 – 07/07/2024
08/07/2024 – 14/07/2024
15/07/2024 – 20/07/2024
29/07/2024 – 04/08/2024
18/08/2024 – 25/08/2024
26/08/2024 – 31/08/2024
23/09/2024 – 29/09/2024
30/09/2024 – 06/10/2024
07/09/2024 – 13/09/2024
14/10/2024 – 20/10/2024
21/10/2024 – 27/10/2024
28/10/2024 – 02/11/2024
Job description
For this role it is recommended to have previous experience in a household setting and to enjoy cleaning, tidying, and keeping spaces well organised.
It is important to feel at ease and happy to work autonomously in an atmosphere of silence and be prepared to work under pressure at times.
Being able to understand and to speak basic French will be necessary.
Primary responsibilities include the following:
– Assisting the hopusehold Manager
– Keeping buildings clean and orderly on an ongoing basis by performing a wide range of cleaning duties
– Performing a variety of cleaning activities such as, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, dusting bathroom cleaning, making beds, window washing, laundry, and similar housekeeping tasks
– Ensuring all rooms are cared for and inspected according to standards
– Checking in, putting away and organizing deliveries
– Explaining contemplative work tasks to retreatants
– Having 1 day off each week.
– Assisting in other areas of Le Moulin as and when needed, such as the kitchen or garden.
– Required to work varying shifts as scheduled, with start times as early as 6:00 am and ending times as late as 08:30 pm
– Supports and protects silent retreat environment.
TESTIMONIALS
I had such a brilliant time here! Anyone that ends up here has totally lucked up. Such a lovely peaceful atmosphere and the work is fun and leaves plenty of time to do your own thing. Only criticism is that there is too much delicious food to eat and it is incredibly difficult not to eat constantly… People here are all so interesting and kind as well – I ended up staying an extra week because I got ill the day before I was supposed to leave – I have never been so well looked after in my entire life!
A great experience! I met wonderful and interesting people from all over the world and was lucky enough to really connect with a few. Almost without exception the welcome was warm from everyone. The setting was unbelievable in its peacefulness and tranquility. The work in the kitchen was intense but fun cooking for over 90 people each day. Although I was apprehensive about sleeping in a tent I learned to like “my little cave”. The food was excellent and plentiful. I especially loved the campfires and learning to salsa dance!
My two weeks at the mill were magical. The retreat is located next to a small village in the beautiful French countryside, isolated enough for quite reflection but still accessible from Bordeaux and Perigueux. I learned so much from Martin, Gail, Ian and the rest of the staff, an eclectic collection of international peace-seekers, and I felt immediately at home. The work was fair, the vegetarian meals were DELICIOUS, and the overall experience was unforgettable. Thank you for the opportunity.