Grooming Team Lead

Grooming Team Lead

CENTRAL PURPOSE: To enrich the lives of our community by providing joy and freedom through exploration

CORE VALUES: Seek first to help - Dedicated to results - Optimism in action - Solution seekers

Qualifications

• Essential Job Responsibilities/Duties/Tasks:
• Lead Grooming Operations: Oversee nightly grooming activities; delegate tasks and coordinate shift priorities with the crew.
• Shift Briefings & Communication: Conduct pre-shift meetings, provide real-time updates, and ensure smooth handoff to the next shift lead.
• Safety & Compliance: Conduct weekly safety meetings; enforce safety protocols for personnel and equipment.
• Interdepartmental Coordination: Collaborate with snowmaking, lift maintenance, snow removal, ski patrol, and other departments to align operations.
• Snowfall Response: Execute grooming priorities during storms—lift ramps, roads, public areas, key trails—and notify appropriate departments.
• Surface Quality Control: Monitor grooming quality and adjust plans based on conditions; train and provide feedback to operators.
• Reporting: Complete accurate grooming logs, shift summaries, and communicate key surface safety info to Ski Patrol.

Skills Required

• Leadership & Supervision: Minimum 2–3 years of supervisory experience; proven ability to lead teams in dynamic conditions.
• Grooming Experience: At least 5 years operating grooming or snowmaking equipment in a mountain environment.
• Equipment Operation: Proficient with industrial grooming equipment; mechanical aptitude is a plus.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills; able to lead crews and coordinate with multiple departments.
• Problem-Solving: Capable of making sound decisions under pressure; detail-oriented with strong time management.
• Work Conditions: Able to work nights, extended shifts, and overtime in severe winter weather.
• Preferred: Valid WA Driver’s License; skiing/snowboarding ability preferred, but not required.

Education/Experience

• Educational Requirement: High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required.
• Experience Requirement: A minimum of 5 years of grooming or snowmaking experience with leadership responsibilities is required. Additional related training or certifications and experience operating heavy machinery in mountain environments are highly beneficial.

Work Environment

• The position requires working outdoors in a high-alpine environment during winter conditions, including cold temperatures, wind, snow, and limited visibility.
• Grooming shifts typically occur overnight and can extend beyond normal working hours, especially during weather events.
• The Grooming Team Lead works independently and collaboratively with other departments and must be prepared to manage both physical and mental demands in a remote mountain setting.

Physical Demands

• Seeing: REGULARLY - Must be able to read reports and use computer
• Hearing: REGULARLY - Must be able to hear well enough to communicate with coworkers.
• Standing/Walking: FREQUENTLY - Consistent and constant standing and walking while in operation.
• Climbing/Stooping/Kneeling: FREQUENTLY - The position requires the ability to stand, walk, climb, balance, kneel, stoop, and crouch for extended periods.
• Lifting/Pulling/Pushing: FREQUENTLY - Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds
• Fingering/Grasping/Feeling: REGULARLY - Must be able to write, type, and use phone system