SAFETY MANAGER

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.

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.

• 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.