Snowmaking Crew Lead

Snowmaking Crew Lead

General Purpose: 

The Snowmaking Crew Lead is responsible for leading and coordinating snowmaking crews in the safe and efficient production of machine-made snow across assigned areas of the mountain. This position provides direct field leadership to Snowmaker I, II, and III employees and is responsible for crew organization, terrain assignments, equipment deployment, safety, communication, and execution of daily snowmaking objectives. 

Snowmaking Crew Leads work closely with Snowmakers, Pumphouse Operators, the Snowmaking Foreman, and the Snowmaking Maintenance & Operations Supervisor to coordinate system startup and shutdown, changing production priorities, equipment operation, and field response to changing weather and system conditions. Crew Leads are expected to maintain strong situational awareness across assigned terrain, make sound operational decisions, identify and respond to developing problems, and ensure employees are following established procedures and safety requirements.

This position requires strong snowmaking knowledge, leadership, communication, organization, mechanical aptitude, and independent decision-making. Crew Lead must be capable of leading crews in challenging and rapidly changing conditions while balancing employee safety, equipment protection, snow quality, production efficiency, and operational priorities. Previous professional snowmaking experience and demonstrated leadership ability are required. 

This is a seasonal position. Dates are subject to change based on weather, snowmaking needs, applicant availability, and the needs of the business. This role comes with a free season pass for you and your dependents. For a full list of benefits, visit the Purgatory employee benefits page.https://www.purgatory.ski/employee-benefits/ 

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. This position will remain open until filled. 

Essential Duties/Responsibilities: 

●Lead and coordinate Snowmaker I, II, and III employees across assigned terrain to safely and efficiently meet daily snowmaking objectives. 

●Assign personnel, terrain, equipment, and work priorities within assigned crews based on the established snowmaking plan, weather conditions, system availability, and operational needs. 

●Conduct shift briefings and communicate production goals, terrain assignments, system conditions, safety concerns, and changing priorities to the crew. 

●Coordinate snowmaking system startup, shutdown, and operational changes with Pumphouse Operators and Snowmaking leadership. 

●Monitor weather conditions, wet-bulb temperature, wind, snow quality, coverage, system conditions, and equipment performance and adjust field operations as necessary. 

●Maintain awareness of crew locations, work progress, equipment status, and operating conditions across assigned terrain throughout the shift. 

●Ensure proper operation, adjustment, draining, shutdown, and freeze protection of snowmaking equipment. 

●Identify, troubleshoot, and coordinate response to equipment, hydrant, hose, and other field operational problems. 

●Recognize abnormal system conditions and promptly communicate pressure, flow, air, equipment, or other system concerns with Pumphouse Operators and Snowmaking leadership. 

●Make sound field decisions regarding equipment deployment, snow production, crew movement, and changing operating conditions within established procedures and department priorities. 

●Enforce department safety procedures, PPE requirements, radio protocols, and established operating procedures. 

●Stop or modify work when conditions present an unacceptable safety risk to employees, equipment, or mountain operations. 

●Maintain clear and professional radio communication with Snowmaking crews, Pumphouse Operators, Grooming, and other Mountain Operations personnel.

●Train, coach, and develop Snowmakers in equipment operation, snowmaking practices, troubleshooting, safety procedures, and department standards. 

●Monitor employee performance, work quality, productivity, and adherence to established procedures and communicate concerns to Snowmaking leadership as appropriate. 

●Safely operate snowmobiles, UTVs, trucks, and 4x4 vehicles in winter mountain conditions. 

●Ensure required inspections of vehicles, tools, and equipment are completed and deficiencies are reported or addressed appropriately. 

●Maintain accurate shift information and communicate equipment status, terrain progress, system issues, safety concerns, and outstanding work during shift turnover and to Snowmaking leadership. 

●Respond to operational issues, equipment failures, changing weather, and emergency situations in accordance with established procedures and level of training.●Perform snowmaking duties alongside the crew as operational needs require. 

Other Responsibilities: 

●Assist with preseason setup and postseason teardown, inspection, organization, and storage of snowmaking equipment. 

●Assist with planning and coordinating daily equipment, vehicle, and personnel needs for assigned operations. 

●Maintain clean, organized, and operationally ready snowmaking equipment, vehicles, storage areas, and workspaces. 

●Assist with maintenance, repair, testing, and troubleshooting of snowmaking equipment and infrastructure. 

●Participate in and assist with department training, safety meetings, emergency response exercises, and equipment-specific training. 

●Assist with onboarding, training, and development of new and returning Snowmakers.●Provide feedback to Snowmaking leadership regarding employee development, equipment performance, operating procedures, safety concerns, and opportunities to improve efficiency and reliability. 

●Assist with snowmaking system maintenance, testing, improvement projects, and preseason operational readiness. 

●Support other Snowmaking and Mountain Operations projects and departments as needed. 

●Assist with general mountain cleanup and maintenance. 

●Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 

Advanced working knowledge of snowmaking operations, equipment, and snowmaking system functions is required. Candidates must demonstrate strong technical proficiency, leadership ability, sound judgment, and the ability to safely coordinate employees and field operations with limited supervision.

This role requires: 

●Advanced knowledge of snowmaking equipment, terminology, operating procedures, and safe work practices. 

●Strong understanding of wet-bulb temperature, wind, snow quality, coverage, and other environmental factors affecting snow production. 

●Working knowledge of high-pressure water and compressed-air systems and how field operations affect pressure, flow, system demand, and overall snowmaking performance. 

●Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to diagnose and troubleshoot snowmaking equipment and operational problems. 

●Strong leadership skills and the ability to organize, direct, motivate, and support employees with varying levels of experience. 

●Ability to assign personnel, equipment, and work priorities based on operational needs and changing conditions. 

●Strong situational awareness and the ability to maintain an understanding of crew locations, equipment status, terrain progress, and developing hazards across assigned operations. 

●Ability to make sound, timely decisions in changing or high-pressure situations while prioritizing employee safety, equipment protection, and operational objectives. 

●Ability to recognize developing equipment or system problems and coordinate an appropriate response with Pumphouse Operators and Snowmaking leadership. 

●Strong verbal and radio communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate assignments, expectations, hazards, and operational changes. 

●Ability to train, coach, and provide constructive feedback to employees. 

●Ability to identify employee performance or safety concerns and appropriately address or escalate them to Snowmaking leadership. 

●Strong organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills. 

●Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining effective communication with department leadership. 

●Dependability, initiative, accountability, professionalism, integrity, and strong attention to detail. 

●Ability to identify and respond appropriately to visual, auditory, and environmental cues.Special Certifications/Licensing: 

Valid Driver’s License 

Education or Formal Training: 

None required. Technical, mechanical, equipment operation, leadership, supervisory, or advanced snowmaking-related training preferred. 

Experience:

Multiple seasons of professional snowmaking experience required. Candidates must demonstrate advanced proficiency in snowmaking operations, equipment operation and adjustment, field troubleshooting, high-pressure water and compressed-air systems, and safe work practices. Previous leadership, crew lead, supervisory, or equivalent experience is strongly preferred. Candidates must demonstrate the judgment, communication, organization, and leadership skills necessary to safely coordinate crews, manage changing operational priorities, train and develop employees, and make independent field decisions with limited supervision. 

Working Environment/Physical Activities: 

99% of the workday is spent outdoors in a winter mountain environment under changing and often challenging conditions including extreme cold, wind, snow, blowing snow, darkness, reduced visibility, ice, and wet conditions. Work is performed on steep, snowy, icy, and uneven terrain and around high-pressure water, compressed air, hoses, hydrants, snowmaking equipment, snowmobiles, UTVs, grooming equipment, vehicles, and other moving machinery. 

Frequent walking and standing on steep and uneven terrain, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, handling, pushing, pulling, gripping, talking, and listening. Employees must possess sufficient near and far visual acuity, depth perception, hearing, and field of vision to safely lead and perform snowmaking operations in adverse winter conditions. 

Frequently lifting and carrying tools, hoses, and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds and occasionally handling objects weighing up to 100 pounds with assistance as appropriate. This position requires the physical endurance to lead and perform demanding outdoor work for extended shifts in cold and wet conditions.