Contemplative Sciences Center Operations Coordinator

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Virginia's Contemplative Sciences Center is seeking an Operations Coordinator to manage daily operations of the Contemplative Commons in Charlottesville. You will supervise Operations Assistants, maintain facilities, assist programs and events, and ensure the building is secured at day’s end.

The role collaborates with faculty and event organizers, documents procedures, tracks inventory, and supports safety and emergency readiness.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Two years of related experience required.
• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree or higher; more experience accepted.
• Experience with facilities or operations in higher education is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and schedule Operations Assistants, ensuring readiness and guest interactions.
• Oversee care and upkeep of Contemplative Commons facilities and spaces.
• Support setup, execution, and breakdown of events and programs.
• Act as point of contact for emergency preparedness and safety during events.
• Monitor daily readiness and cleanliness; submit maintenance requests.
• Ensure proper closing and securing of the building each day.
• Document procedures for space usage, storage, and access; track supplies.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

AV troubleshooting

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Eventbrite

25Live

Job description

The mission of the University of Virginia's Contemplative Sciences Center (CSC) is to fuse contemplation, connection, and research to enhance flourishing. Situated within the new Contemplative Commons, CSC creates opportunities that center mind-body practices for well-being, insight, and compassion in all aspects of life-social, emotional, physical, and professional. An innovator in multidisciplinary collaboration, the center's CIRCL lab conducts research on initiatives that combine contemplative and experiential learning to generate novel solutions to a wide range of personal and global challenges.

Position Summary

The Operations Coordinator supports the daily operations and overall functionality of the Contemplative Commons. This role oversees student Operations Assistants, ensures the facility is maintained to a high standard, provides on-the-ground support for programs, classes, and events, and secures the building at the end of each day. The Operations Coordinator works closely with staff, faculty, and event organizers to ensure smooth and efficient use of space and resources.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and schedule Operations Assistants, ensuring they are trained, prepared, and equipped to support facility needs and guest interactions.
• Oversee the care and upkeep of the Contemplative Commons facilities, including classrooms, studios, meeting spaces, and shared common areas.
• Support the setup, execution, and breakdown of events, classes, and programs hosted within the building, in collaboration with the Events and Program teams.
• Serve as the point of contact for emergency preparedness and response during events and programs, helping to identify and address safety concerns, coordinate with emergency personnel when needed, and maintain a calm, supportive presence for all occupants.
• Monitor building readiness and cleanliness daily, submitting work orders and maintenance requests as needed.
• Ensure the facility is properly closed and secured at the end of each day, following established closing procedures.
• Coordinate with colleagues to document and maintain procedures for space usage, storage, signage, and access.
• Assist with tracking inventory and operational supplies related to building upkeep and events.
• Support the Events team in the planning, setup, and breakdown of spaces, use of reservation and using 25Live to process requests.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and operations of the Contemplative Commons.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent
• Experience: Two years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher; a combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Experience: At least 5 years of relevant experience in operations, facilities management, or higher education
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Experience using scheduling or event platforms such as Eventbrite and 25Live
• Must be able to lift 25 lbs and move tables and chairs comfortably
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Comfort with troubleshooting basic AV or facilities-related issues

Physical Demands

Will require frequent traveling, standing, and climbing stairs to access buildings and facilities in order to assess conditions and review facility projects. The position will require occasional light lifting, bending and stooping, in addition to the use of desktop computers in an office environment.

Salary Range

• The anticipated hiring range is $25 - $27 p/hr. ($52,000-$56,160), commensurate with education and experience.

Position Type & Work Location

• This is a non-exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits .
• This is a restricted position, which is dependent on funding and is contingent upon funding availability.
• This position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and must be performed fully on-site.

About UVA and the Community

To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA .

Application Timeline

Application review will begin after September 17, 2026.

Additional Requirements

• Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.
• This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

Reference Check Process

Reference checks will be completed by UVA’s third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.

Contact

• For questions about the application process, please contact Rich Haverstrom, [e-mail].

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.