Full-Time

Guest Services Representative

Updated on 9/3/2026

Esalen Institute

Esalen Institute

51-200 employees

Experiential education and personal transformation workshops

Compensation Overview

$18.50 - $21/hr

Big Sur, CA, USA

In Person

On-site housing is available for a residential fee.

Category
Food Service & Hospitality (1)
Required Skills
CPR
First Aid
Customer Service

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Requirements
  • Prior work experience at Esalen is essential; candidates must be graduates of Esalen’s three-month REEP program or current staff members employed for at least three months.
  • At least 2-3 years of customer service experience is required.
  • Customer reservations experience and an exceptional phone manner are required.
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to set boundaries are required.
  • The ability to make effective decisions and deal compassionately with difficult situations is required.
  • The candidate must be able to maintain healthy relationships with co-workers, other departments, and guests.
  • The candidate must be able and willing to train new team members.
  • The candidate must be self-motivated and responsible, open to receiving guidance, and able to provide feedback with care and respect.
  • The candidate must be detail- and solution-oriented, highly organized, and proficient in seeing projects through to completion.
  • Experience reviewing business procedures, recommending improvements that enhance guest experience, and identifying efficient and effective operating methods is required.
  • Strong computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, and Adobe are required.
  • CPR certification is required.
Responsibilities
  • Shifts are split between the Front Desk and the Gate and may include overnight shifts.
  • Provide customer service; welcome and support guests, faculty, and staff; review incoming requests; answer phones; manage guest complaints using trauma-informed language; book massages; process payments; conduct COVID-19 screenings; maintain the retail space; and support guest and staff needs.
  • Assist with onboarding and training new team members.
  • Work with other departments to ensure that all guest and faculty communications are documented.
  • Organize check-in materials for visiting guests, faculty, scholarship recipients, and staff enrolled in workshops.
  • Complete the daily checklist, including call and email queue management, massage bookings, online retail purchases, stocking, and daily shift notes.
  • Use the reservation property management system, massage booking software, and retail management software.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve guest and faculty concerns and communicate the problem and solution results in shift notes and the property management system.
  • Review Guest Services processes with team members, collect ideas, and formulate and recommend improvement plans to improve effectiveness, efficiency, and guest-service quality.
  • Check in staff, guests, and faculty; manage parking; conduct property patrols; and facilitate guest support during Gate shifts.
  • Monitor campus entrances and radio traffic, manage emergency responses, provide First Aid support, support people in shock or crisis, and prevent and resolve conflicts.

Esalen Institute runs a nonprofit center that fosters human potential through experiential education and research. It sponsors and hosts workshops and residential programs that guide personal, spiritual, and social transformation for participants and staff, using a mix of experiential practices, seminars, and collaborative research. Programs are delivered through immersive experiences at its Big Sur campus, with about 12,000 visitors annually. That combination of experiential learning, spirituality-focused practices, and a retreat model differentiates Esalen from traditional academic or wellness centers, along with its long-standing history and emphasis on community living during programs. The organization aims to contribute to a more just, creative, and sustainable world by developing people’s capacities and sharing transformative methods.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Big Sur, California

Founded

1962

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • June 2026 trustee additions signal stronger scientific credibility and broader audience reach.
  • Esalen's June 2026 press coverage kept the brand visible across Sunset and the New York Times.
  • Governor Newsom reopened Highway 1 on January 14, 2026, improving visitor access after prior closures.

What critics are saying

  • Timber Fire forced closure through September 13, 2026, canceling all workshops and reservations.
  • Highway 1 convoy access limits Big Sur travel to 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily.
  • A future wildfire or landslide can again shut Esalen, slash revenue, and idle staff.

What makes Esalen Institute unique

  • Esalen owns Big Sur cliffside hot springs and workshops, not a generic retreat brand.
  • On June 15, 2026, Esalen added Andrew Huberman and Edith Elliott to trustees.
  • Esalen's human-potential legacy and Center for Theory & Research anchor its intellectual moat.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Vacation

Meal Benefits

Professional Development Budget