Snowmaking Lead

Description

• The Snowmaking Shift Lead is a critical on-hill leadership role responsible for directing the crew and
• driving safe, efficient, high-quality snow production across the mountain. This role coordinates
• workloads, responds to changing weather conditions, and communicates closely with Grooming, Lift
• Operations, and other departments to keep the mountain running.
• When the snowmaking supervisor is not on shift, the shift lead is in charge, owning all production
• decisions, crew management, and safety enforcement, with a direct line to the snowmaking manager when
• situations require escalation.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• ● Lead and supervise the snowmaking crew during assigned shifts, ensuring safe and efficient
• operations in line with resort standards
• ● Assume full operational authority on the hill in the absence of the Snowmaking supervisor,
• making independent production decisions, managing crew priorities, and maintaining continuity
• for the duration of the shift
• ● Contact the Snowmaking Manager directly for situations that exceed shift-level authority,
• including major equipment failures, safety incidents, or personnel issues
• ● Monitor and operate SmartSnow 7 and automated/manual snowmaking systems to produce
• consistent, high-quality snow
• ● Interpret wet-bulb temperature, humidity, and wind conditions in real time to adjust snowmaking
• strategy and maximize output
• ● Plan, set up, relocate, monitor, and shut down snow guns and equipment based on terrain and
• weather needs
• ● Maintain full knowledge of the mountain's snowmaking system layout: pumphouses, hydrants,
• valves, electrical boxes, and terrain
• ● Conduct routine inspections and maintenance on all snowmaking equipment and systems
• ● Monitor and maintain gun run conditions, including ice buildup, hose clearance, and proper
• padding
• ● Lead vehicle checkouts at the start of each shift; log and coordinate any issues with Arizona
• Snowbowl mechanics
• ● Operate snowmobiles, UTVs, tracked UTVs, and snowcats per Arizona Snowbowl operating
• manuals
• ● Enforce all safety protocols, including PPE, Lockout/Tagout compliance, and proper equipment
• handling
• ● Prevent damage to natural and resort features, including trees, lifts, buildings, and sensitive
• terrain
• ● Train and mentor Snowmaker IIs and Snowmaker Is on production techniques, safety procedures,
• and resort protocols
• ● Lead shift handoffs, communicating production status, equipment conditions, terrain priorities,
• and outstanding issues to the incoming crew
• ● Collaborate with Grooming, Lift Operations, Terrain Parks, and Ski Patrol to maintain safe and
• effective mountain operations
• ● Promote responsible use of water, electricity, and fuel in line with resort sustainability goals
• ● Record time in Paycom at the start and end of every shift, verify entries daily, and confirm your
• timecard at the close of each pay period
• ● Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Job Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Required Qualifications

• ● Must be at least 18 years of age
• ● Valid driver's license with a clean driving record
• ● High school diploma or equivalent
• ● 2–4 years of on-hill snowmaking experience with demonstrated competence
• ● 1–2 years of hands-on knowledge of pump operations and automated systems
• ● Ability to ski or snowboard in all terrain types; must pass an on-hill ski/snowboard evaluation
• ● Must pass written and driving tests for snowmobiles, ATVs, UTVs, tracked UTVs, and snowcats
• ● Intermediate mechanical aptitude with the ability to diagnose and troubleshoot minor and major
• equipment malfunctions
• ● Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to make independent operational
• decisions under pressure
• ● Knowledge of environmental and energy-efficient snowmaking practices
• ● Ability to work 12-hour shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays; longer shifts may be
• required

Preferred Qualifications

• ● Prior crew leadership experience in snowmaking or mountain operations
• ● Snowcat or heavy equipment operating experience
• ● Technical training or certifications in mountain operations or equipment maintenance
• ● Familiarity with high-altitude work environments
• ● CPR/First Aid certification

Material and Equipment Directly Used

• Flashlights, radios, 1/2-ton pickup trucks, UTVs, tracked UTVs, snowmaking guns, snow hoses with
• couplers, wrenches, hammers, shovels, picks, digging bars, trailers, confined space rescue equipment, and
• other related industrial tools and supplies.

Working Environment/Physical Activities

• ● The majority of the workday is spent outdoors at night in a mountain environment, in constantly
• changing weather conditions that include extreme cold, snow, and wetness. 25% of the time is
• spent sitting (riding in a tracked vehicle), 55% walking and hiking and 20% standing. Must have
• the ability to hike for sustained periods of time at a high elevation and in inclement,
• unpredictable, and cold weather conditions at night.
• ● Frequently bending, kneeling, handling, reaching, grasping, and performing repetitive
• motions like climbing, balancing, stooping, crouching, handling, operating controls, and
• feeling objects.
• ● Frequently engaging in radio transmission.
• ● Noise levels can reach 100 decibels (without hearing protection) for six hours of the
• workday. With hearing protection, noise levels reach approximately 71 decibels. Wearing
• ear protection is required when making snow on-hill.
• ● Frequently using far acuity, depth perception, accommodation, and field of vision.
• ● Frequent exposure to mechanical and electrical hazards.