Online Bookshop Manager at Deer Park Monastery (Part-Time; Hybrid)

Deer Park Monastery is seeking a part-time Online Bookstore Manager (20-25 hours per week) to support the creation and management of the monastery’s online bookstore. This mindful and detail-oriented professional will be responsible for building and maintaining an e-commerce platform using Shopify, ensuring an efficient, accessible, and well-organized online shopping experience.

Posted: June 13, 2025

Are you inspired by the transformative power of mindfulness and want to help make Thay's teachings, books, and resources more accessible to the world? Do you have experience managing e-commerce platforms and a strong attention to detail? This is a call to serve, a chance to bring meaning into the world.

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND AND CULTURE

Deer Park Monastery, part of the International Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism, is a vibrant mindfulness practice center in Escondido, California. Rooted in the teachings of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, the monastery offers a sanctuary for individuals seeking peace, connection, and transformation through mindfulness and meditation. With a spirit of inclusivity, collaboration, and siblinghood, Deer Park Monastery provides a calm and supportive environment for all who arrive at the monastery.

POSITION SUMMARY

Deer Park Monastery is seeking a part-time Online Bookstore Manager (20-25 hours per week) to support the creation and management of the monastery’s online bookstore. This mindful and detail-oriented professional will be responsible for building and maintaining an e-commerce platform using Shopify, ensuring an efficient, accessible, and well-organized online shopping experience.

This is a hybrid, hourly position based at Deer Park Monastery in Escondido, California, requiring regular, weekly in-person attendance (schedule to be confirmed with the successful candidate).

The Online Bookstore Manager will collaborate closely with monastic and lay team members to ensure a seamless online shopping experience and timely fulfillment of orders.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Manage the Deer Park Monastery online bookstore using Shopify.
  • Create product listings, including uploading photos, descriptions, ISBNs, and pricing.
  • Ensure accessibility for all shoppers across North America, including managing currency and language settings, and shipping costs.
  • Manage online sales and inventory tracking, ensuring availability is accurate at all times.
  • Collaborate with bookstore monastics to ensure timely shipping of customer orders.
  • Maintain and update the online bookstore section of the Deer Park website.
  • Provide excellent customer support, responding to inquiries in a timely and compassionate manner.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

  • An established meditation or mindfulness practice, preferably in the Plum Village tradition.
  • A commitment to working in alignment with the Five Mindfulness Trainings (5MTs).
  • Ability to work in-person at Deer Park Monastery on a regular basis.
  • Previous experience setting up, running, and maintaining online stores, preferably on Shopify.
  • Experience maintaining retail websites and managing product listings.
  • Previous retail experience, preferably in a bookstore setting.
  • Knowledge of logistics and shipping is an asset.
  • Strong customer service skills with a focus on mindfulness and care.
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Strong communication skills (written, verbal, and virtual).

LOCATION AND WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Hybrid position based at Deer Park Monastery in Escondido, California.
  • Requires weekly in-person attendance at Deer Park Monastery (schedule to be determined).
  • Flexible work schedule, though some availability may be needed during peak shopping seasons.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Deer Park Monastery offers an hourly rate in line with the California minimum wage requirements, as well as benefits with details to be discussed in interview.

In the practice of Inclusiveness, we are an equal-opportunity employer and actively work to ensure fair and equal treatment for all, regardless of culture, socioeconomic status, race, marital or family situation, gender, age, ethnicity, physical ability, or sexual orientation.

How to Apply

We are looking for caring and exceptional folks who want to practice right livelihood, make a positive difference, and help create the right conditions where everyone at Deer Park Monastery can thrive. If this role inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Please complete the application form below by July 18, 2025 to apply. If you run into any issues with the form, you may reach out to us at jobs@deerparkmonastery.org. Include “Online Bookstore Manager” in the subject line of your email.

When completing the form below, you will be required to submit the following:

  • A cover letter sharing your interest in the position, your practice, and how your experiences align with the role. Please also confirm the schedule needs align with your availability and that you are able to work in person at Deer Park regularly.
  • Your resume
  • Any public projects or work samples that may support your application (optional)

Thank you for your interest in supporting our Sangha and sharing the practice of mindfulness around the world. 

Explore Online Courses

From time to time we offer multi-week courses related to mindfulness, the teachings and life of Thich Nhat Hanh, and a variety of similar subjects. Please see our schedule of upcoming courses.

Laptop mockup

Plum Village App

Take the Deer Park Monastery and Plum Village community with you wherever you go. The Plum Village app is designed to cultivate mindfulness, compassion, and joy through guided meditations, deep relaxations, practice poems, bells of mindfulness, and other practices — all through a mobile device.

Open Plum Village Mobile App in the App Store
Open Plum Village Mobile App in the Google Play Store
DSC08029 HDR scaled

Turn Your Inbox into a Dharma Door

Subscribe to our Coyote Tracks newsletter on Substack to receive event announcements, writing, art, music, and meditations from Deer Park monastics.

Support Deer Park

Donations are our main source of support, so every offering is greatly appreciated. Your contribution helps us to keep the monastery open to receive guests throughout the year.

Donate