Snowmaking Technician

Description

• A snowmaking technician is a field-based role focused on the maintenance and reliability of snowmaking
• equipment, including fan guns, pumps, compressors, hydrants, valves, and control systems. While they
• don't direct snow production, they ensure all equipment is properly positioned, functioning, and ready to
• perform before, during, and after snowmaking operations. Technicians work closely with shift leads,
• supervisors, and the snowmaking manager to keep the operation running safely and efficiently in
• demanding outdoor conditions.

Job Description

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• ● Perform preventive maintenance, inspections, and repairs on all snowmaking equipment, fan
• guns, pumps, compressors, hydrants, valves, and control systems
• ● Troubleshoot and resolve mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic issues across all snowmaking
• components
• ● Respond rapidly to equipment failures during active production windows to minimize downtime
• ● Identify and address wear, leaks, malfunctions, and safety hazards before they impact operations
• ● Service equipment regularly, including lubrication, nozzle replacement, valve checks, hose
• management, and seasonal repairs
• ● Coordinate with controllers and supervisors to respond to alarms and system anomalies through
• the automated control system
• ● Operate snowmobiles, snowcats, UTVs, and tracked vehicles to access repair sites across rugged
• mountain terrain
• ● Assist with seasonal setup and teardown, ensuring all equipment is correctly placed and fully
• operational
• ● Train Snowmaker IIs and motivated Snowmaker Is on maintenance fundamentals and proper
• equipment handling
• ● Coordinate with grooming, lift ops, and ski patrol to maintain safe work zones during repairs
• ● Maintain accurate records of all maintenance performed, parts used, and equipment issues
• reported
• ● Comply with all safety protocols, lockout/tagout, PPE, and safe handling of pressurized air and
• water systems
• ● 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
• ● Perform weekly pumphouse inspections both on the mountain and on the supply line to ensure
• proper functionality and identify any issues in a timely manner
• ● Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• ● Must be at least 18 years of age
• ● Valid driver's License with a clean driving record
• ● High School Diploma or equivalent
• ● 1–2 years of experience in on-hill snowmaking operations, mechanical maintenance, or similar
• fieldwork
• ● Basic to intermediate mechanical aptitude with the ability to use hand and power tools safely and
• effectively
• ● Familiarity with snowmaking systems and equipment, fan guns, hydrants, valves, high-pressure
• hoses, and pumps
• ● Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose and fix mechanical issues
• independently or with minimal supervision
• ● Commitment to safety protocols, including PPE, lockout/tagout, and radio procedures
• ● Strong communication skills and the ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• ● Ability to work 10-12-hour shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays; longer shifts may be
• required
• ● Capable of lifting up to 80 lbs and performing strenuous physical tasks on steep, icy, or uneven
• terrain

Preferred Qualifications

• ● Knowledge of 480V-powered fan guns
• ● Experience with plumbing, hydraulics, pneumatics, or electrical systems
• ● Technical training or certifications in mountain operations or equipment maintenance
• ● Comfortable operating snowmobiles, snowcats, UTVs, and tracked vehicles (training provided as
• needed)
• ● On-call availability during active snowmaking windows
• ● Experience working at high altitude (Flagstaff sits above 9,000 ft)
• ● CPR/First Aid certification

Material and Equipment Directly Used

• Flashlights, radios, a 1/2-ton pickup truck, 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 the hill.
• ● Frequently using far acuity, depth perception, accommodation, and field of vision.
• ● Frequent exposure to mechanical and electrical hazards. Occasional hazards include exposed
• work sites, burns, and frostbite from extreme cold, as well as sleep deprivation from shift hours.