Patrol Director

Class/Group: Hourly/Non-Exempt, Group II

Reports to: Chief of Mountain Operations

Pay Range: $25.00-$30.00/hours

Supervises: Approximately 25-30 pro patrollers in addition to 50-60 volunteers

Status: Winter Seasonal, Full-Time September-April (potential for season to season summer work)

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

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.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES/TASKS:

• Recruitment, Hiring, and Team Development: Recruit, hire, train, motivate, and develop a high performing Ski Patrol team.
• Safety Leadership: Provide leadership in guest and employee safety initiatives to reduce/eliminate worker and guest injury.
• Budget Management: Create and oversee departmental budgets and track spending.
• Administrative Oversight: Manage incident reporting, payroll, scheduling, and purchasing.
• Policies and Procedures: Develop and maintain all Patrol procedures, plans, and policies.
• Workplace Culture: Foster a positive work culture and resilience among staff.
• Incident Investigation and Training: Oversee Incident Investigation and manage team member training.
• Performance Management: Evaluate performance of all staff members and handle disciplinary actions as needed.
• Terrain and Conditions Management: Monitor winter mountain conditions and manage terrain openings and closures.
• Permits and Government Relations: Maintain permits and relationships with government agencies.
• External Agency Management: Manage outside agency agreements and relations.
• Avalanche Forecasting and Mitigation: Ensure daily weather and avalanche forecasting and hazard reduction work is completed.
• Explosives Oversight: Oversee the control and management of explosives and permits.
• Medical, Legal, and Risk Knowledge: Possess knowledge of medical, legal, and risk management issues.
• Mountain Knowledge: Maintain intimate knowledge of the mountain's trails, traffic flow, and potential hazards.
• Training and Skill Development: Facilitate patrol training and skill development initiatives.
• Interdepartmental Communication: Communicate regularly with Mountain Operations teams and work towards common goals.

SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Advanced Skiing/Riding Ability: Advanced skiing/riding skills. Ability to ski/ride all terrain in all conditions with loads.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Leadership and Attitude: Positive leadership skills with a positive attitude and enthusiasm.
• Education: Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ski Patrol Experience: Previous ski patrol experience, preferably in a supervisory role.
• Medical Certifications: Valid EMT, OEC, or WFR AND CPR certification.
• Blasting Certification: Blasters license or ability to gain license in one year.
• Avalanche Mitigation: Ability to work with explosives, perform avalanche mitigation work.
• Leadership Experience: Prior leadership and supervisory experience.
• Work Environment: Must be able to work outside in a harsh winter environment.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Washington State Code Knowledge: Knowledge of the Washington State Code that applies to Ski Areas.
• Tramway Regulations and Evacuation: Current knowledge of tramway board regulations and evacuation techniques.
  Mechanical Awareness: Ability to recognize and detect abnormal lift and mechanical sounds and conditions.
• Technology Proficiency: Proficiency with the Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, and Slides), and technology applications.
• Organizational and Team Building Skills: Advanced organizational and team building skills.
• Avalanche Certification: Pro Level 1 or 2 Avalanche certificate.
• Physical Lifting Ability: Able to lift 50 lbs. and carry over distance.
• Lift Evacuation Capability: Able to climb 100 ft. tall lift towers while carrying 30 lbs. for evacuation.
• Documentation and Communication: Excellent documentation skills, with strong verbal and written ability with the English language.
• Guest Service Skills: Strong customer relations, Guest Service skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The Ski Patrol Director must have the physical ability to perform skiing and snowboarding activities in all terrain and weather conditions, often while carrying equipment and responding to emergencies. This includes lifting up to 50 lbs., climbing lift towers, and walking or skiing long distances over snow and uneven terrain. Frequent standing, walking, bending, and kneeling is required, as well as the ability to perform physically demanding tasks in emergency situations.
 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The position is primarily outdoors in harsh winter conditions, including cold temperatures, high winds, and variable snow and weather conditions. Exposure to mountain hazards such as steep terrain, icy surfaces, and avalanche-prone areas is expected. The Ski Patrol Director will also spend time in offices or meeting spaces for administrative work, planning, and coordination with staff and external agencies. Work may include extended hours, weekends, holidays, and on-call availability during emergencies or special events.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

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

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: REGULARLY

-Consistent and constant standing and walking while in operation.

Climbing/Stooping/Kneeling: REGULARLY

-The position requires the ability to stand, walk, climb, balance, kneel, stoop, and crouch for extended periods

Lifting/Pulling/Pushing: REGULARLY

-Must be able to ski/ride terrain in all conditions with loads up to 50lbs

Fingering/Grasping/Feeling: REGULARLY

-Must be able to write, type, and use phone system

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 skills 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.

Salary : $25 - $30