Ski Patrol Director

Job Summary:

The Ski Patrol Director at Mission Ridge Ski and Board Resort is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Ski Patrol department, ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for both guests and staff. The Ski Patrol at Mission Ridge is a combination of 10-25 Professional Ski Patrollers and 60-80 volunteer Ski Patrollers. The Patrol Director provides leadership for both of these teams and ensures a cohesive attitude that allows both teams to work together toward a common goal. This role includes managing staffing, training, budgeting, and incident response, while also executing safety initiatives and leading snow safety and avalanche mitigation efforts. The director plays a crucial role in fostering a positive work culture and developing future leaders within the patrol team.

Responsibilities:

• Recruit, hire, train, motivate, and develop a high performing Ski Patrol team.
• Provide leadership in guest and employee safety initiatives to reduce/eliminate worker and guest injury.
• Create and oversee departmental budgets and track spending.
• Manage incident reporting, payroll, scheduling, and purchasing.
• Develop and maintain all Patrol procedures, plans, and policies.
• Foster a positive work culture and resilience among staff.
• Oversee Incident Investigation and manage team member training.
• Evaluate performance of all staff members and handle disciplinary actions as needed.
• Monitor winter mountain conditions and manage terrain openings and closures.
• Maintain permits and relationships with government agencies.
• Manage outside agency agreements and relations.
• Ensure daily weather and avalanche forecasting and hazard reduction work is completed.
• Oversee the control and management of explosives and permits.
• Possess knowledge of medical, legal, and risk management issues.
• Maintain intimate knowledge of the mountain's trails, traffic flow, and potential hazards.
• Facilitate patrol training and skill development initiatives.
• Communicate regularly with Mountain Operations teams and work towards common goals.

Requirements

• Advanced skiing/riding skills. Ability to ski/ride all terrain in all conditions with loads.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Positive leadership skills with a positive attitude and enthusiasm.
• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Previous ski patrol experience, preferably in a supervisory role.
• Valid EMT, OEC, or WFR AND CPR certification.
• Blasters license or ability to gain license in one year.
• Ability to work with explosives, perform avalanche mitigation work.
• Prior leadership and supervisory experience.
• Must be able to work outside in a harsh winter environment.

Recommendations:

• Knowledge of the Washington State Code that applies to Ski Areas.
• Current knowledge of tramway board regulations and evacuation techniques.
• Ability to recognize and detect abnormal lift and mechanical sounds and conditions.
• Proficiency with the Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, and Slides), and technology applications.