Director of Lift Services

Director of Lift Services

Job Description

Class/Group: Salary/Exempt, Group I

Reports to: Director of Mountain Operations

Pay Range: $80,200-$100,000/year

Supervises: Lift Maintenance Manager, Lift Operations Manager

Status: Year Round, Full-Time

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DIRECTOR OF LIFT SERVICESJOB SUMMARY:

The Director of Lift Services leads the Lift Maintenance and Lift Operations departments at Mission Ridge and is accountable for the maintenance, inspection, regulatory compliance, and operation of every lift on the mountain. The position sits between the Director of Mountain Operations and the lift department managers, directly supervising the Lift Maintenance Manager and the Lift Operations Manager and giving them the planning support, technical guidance, and accountability needed to run strong departments.

This role owns lift regulatory compliance, including ANSI B77.1 standards, annual state tramway inspections, and lift operating permits, and serves as the primary technical lift resource for the Director of Mountain Operations and the senior team.

The ideal candidate brings deep, hands-on lift maintenance knowledge, a solid understanding of lift operations and guest loading, and a steady leadership style that develops managers rather than doing their jobs for them. During winter operations this position works five or more days per week, including weekends, holidays, and some nights, and is on call for lift emergencies and evacuations. Summer and fall focus on major maintenance, inspections, capital lift work, and planning for the coming season.

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES/TASKS:

• Department Leadership: Directly supervise, mentor, and evaluate both lift managers; set clear expectations, hold regular check-ins, and support hiring, scheduling, and staff development.
• Seasonal Readiness: Complete all maintenance, inspections, load tests, and staff training on schedule to support planned opening dates. No lift opens until it passes required inspections.
• Regulatory Compliance and Permits: Direct ANSI B77.1 and state compliance efforts, coordinate annual state inspections, keep operating permits current, and close corrective items before lifts operate.
• Maintenance Program Oversight: Oversee maintenance schedules, including NDT, wire rope inspection, and manufacturer bulletins; verify work orders are completed and documented on time.
• Lift Operations Standards: Set and uphold operating standards for guest and employee loading, riding, and unloading; oversee operating procedures, daily start-up inspections and logs, and operator training and certification.
• Records and Documentation: Keep maintenance, operations, training, and inspection records complete, accurate, and ready for inspectors and insurers.
• Emergency Response and Evacuation: Lead response to malfunctions, stoppages, and incidents per the lift malfunction and disabled lift communication procedure; maintain the evacuation plan and complete seasonal evacuation training and drills with Ski Patrol.
• Budgeting and Purchasing: Build annual operating and capital budgets with each manager, monitor spending, and keep parts inventory, supplies, and billing current.
• Capital Projects and Long-Term Planning: Maintain a long-term lift maintenance and replacement plan, lead major overhauls and capital lift projects, and support future mountain development.
• Training and Knowledge Building: Build training programs, written procedures, and a lift knowledge base with managers to grow staff capability and reduce reliance on any one person.
• Conditions Monitoring: Monitor wind, icing, weather, and mechanical conditions. Has authority to hold or close any lift for wind, icing, mechanical, or other conditions, and coordinates closures with the Director of Mountain Operations.
• Night Lighting and Electrical Systems: Oversee maintenance and operation of night lighting and lift-related electrical systems.
• Safety Culture: Promote a strong safety culture (lockout/tagout, fall protection, incident reporting) and keep shops, the sheave shop, and motor rooms clean and orderly.
• Communication and Coordination: Keep the Director of Mountain Operations informed on lift status, compliance, and planning; coordinate daily operations.
• Hands-On Support: Perform lift maintenance as needed during peak workloads, emergencies, or major projects, operate snowmobiles within the ski area boundary, and support lift operations training.

SKILLS PREFERRED (OR REQUIRED):

• Lift Technical Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of aerial lift drives, electrical controls, brakes, hydraulics, and wire rope to guide troubleshooting and maintenance.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Working knowledge of ANSI B77.1 and state tramway requirements.
• Leadership and Coaching: Leads through managers, sets expectations, and develops people into strong, independent lift departments.
• Organization and Record-Keeping: Accurate, consistent records for inspections, permits, and work orders.
• Budgeting and Planning: Builds realistic budgets and long-term maintenance plans for sound spending and reliable lifts.
• Computer Proficiency: Proficient with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and work order systems.
• Problem Solving Under Pressure: Sound, calm judgment during breakdowns, weather events, and evacuations.
• Guest and Team Focus: Positive, respectful, honest, and reliable; sets the tone for both departments.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

High school diploma or GED required; technical, mechanical, or electrical training or an associate degree is preferred. Minimum of five years of ski lift maintenance and/or lift operations experience, including at least two years in a supervisory or manager role. Experience with lift inspections, permitting, and ANSI B77.1 compliance is strongly preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Valid driver's license required. Ability to operate a snowmobile and other mountain equipment. Lift evacuation, rigging, and First Aid/CPR certifications preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This position combines field and shop work with office planning. The Director must be an intermediate or better skier or snowboarder, able to travel the mountain in winter conditions, and able to climb lift towers and work at heights using fall protection. Must be able to lift and move 50 pounds and, with assistance or equipment, loads over 100 pounds. The role requires close attention to detail, the ability to read schematics, manuals, and inspection reports, and clear communication with staff, guests, and inspectors.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work takes place both indoors and outdoors in an all-season mountain environment. The Director regularly works near moving mechanical parts and low and high-voltage equipment, at varying heights, and in wet, cold, and windy conditions for extended periods, with exposure to vibration and the risk of electrical shock. Noise levels can be very loud depending on the task and location. The pace is fast during winter operations and summer maintenance, and the role works closely with the Director of Mountain Operations, lift managers, and other mountain departments.

The Director of Lift Services is a Group I position with benefits as outlined in the Mission Ridge Employee Handbook.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Assign each category:Rarely (0–12%),Occasionally (12–33%),Frequently (34–66%),Regularly (67–100%)

Seeing: Regularly

-Must have close, distance, color, and peripheral vision and depth perception to inspect equipment, read schematics and reports, and observe lift operations.

Hearing: Regularly

-Must be able to hear high-frequency equipment sounds and communicate with coworkers and guests, including by radio.

Standing/Walking: Regularly

-Standing and walking on uneven, snow-covered terrain, in lift terminals, and around shops.

Climbing/Stooping/Kneeling: Frequently

-Must be able to climb lift towers and ladders, work at heights, and kneel, stoop, and crouch in motor rooms and tight spaces.

Lifting/Pulling/Pushing: Occasionally

-Must be able to lift and move 50 pounds, and over 100 pounds with assistance or equipment.

Fingering/Grasping/Feeling: Frequently

-Must be able to use hand and power tools, write, type, and use phone and radio systems.

Note:  The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skill required of personnel so classified.  Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer. Final candidates may be subject to background screening.