Sawyer – Mountain Operations

Employment Type: Seasonal
Department: Mountain Operations
Position: Sawyer

Position Summary

The Sawyer is a seasonal member of the Mountain Operations team responsible for chainsaw operations, tree and brush removal, trail maintenance, and vegetation management throughout the ski area.

This position works primarily outdoors in mountainous terrain and supports summer and seasonal mountain projects including ski trail maintenance, hazard-tree removal, clearing around lifts and infrastructure, brush management, and preparation of the mountain for winter operations.

The Sawyer must demonstrate safe chainsaw operation, good judgment, strong situational awareness, and the ability to work effectively as part of a mountain operations crew.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Safely operate chainsaws for tree felling, limbing, bucking, brushing, and general vegetation removal.

• Remove dead, damaged, hazardous, or designated trees throughout the ski area.

• Clear trees, limbs, brush, and vegetation from ski trails, access roads, lift lines, work areas, and mountain infrastructure.

• Assist with widening, maintaining, and preparing ski trails for winter operations.

• Evaluate trees and surrounding terrain prior to cutting, including tree lean, condition, wind, slope, obstacles, structures, equipment, and potential hazards.

• Establish appropriate cutting zones, escape routes, and safe working distances before beginning work.

• Work safely on steep, rocky, uneven, wooded, and mountainous terrain.

• Assist with cleanup and removal of logs, branches, brush, and other debris from work areas.

• Assist with erosion-control projects, drainage work, trail maintenance, and other summer mountain projects as needed.

• Work safely around heavy equipment, utility vehicles, snowmaking infrastructure, ski lifts, buildings, roads, and other resort operations.

• Coordinate with equipment operators and other Mountain Operations personnel during tree removal and clearing projects.

• Perform daily inspections of chainsaws and related equipment.

• Perform routine chainsaw maintenance including chain sharpening, chain replacement, tension adjustment, cleaning, fueling, and basic troubleshooting.

• Properly use and maintain all required personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Maintain tools, equipment, vehicles, and work areas in a clean and serviceable condition.

• Immediately identify and report unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, or hazards to a supervisor.

• Follow all resort, department, and job-specific safety policies and procedures.

• Assist other Mountain Operations departments and projects when saw work is not required.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Previous professional chainsaw experience strongly preferred.

• Experience with tree felling, limbing, bucking, forestry, logging, trail maintenance, landscaping, wildfire mitigation, or similar work preferred.

• Knowledge of safe tree-felling practices and chainsaw operating procedures.

• Ability to evaluate trees and identify potential hazards before making cuts.

• Ability to safely work around heavy equipment and other active mountain operations.

• Strong situational awareness and sound decision-making skills.

• Ability to communicate clearly with supervisors, equipment operators, and other crew members.

• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.

• Dependable, punctual, and able to work independently when appropriate.

• Valid driver's license preferred.

• Chainsaw/Sawyer certification and First Aid/CPR certification preferred.

Physical Requirements

This is a physically demanding position. Employees must be able to:

• Work outdoors for extended periods in changing mountain weather conditions.

• Hike and work on steep, uneven, rocky, muddy, wooded, or otherwise difficult terrain.

• Carry chainsaws, fuel, tools, PPE, and other equipment across mountainous terrain.

• Frequently lift, carry, push, and pull heavy materials.

• Bend, kneel, squat, climb, reach, and stand for extended periods.

• Maintain control of a chainsaw while working in challenging terrain and conditions.

• Work at elevations and in environmental conditions typical of a mountain ski resort.

• Perform strenuous physical work throughout the scheduled shift.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily outdoors throughout the ski area. Conditions may include high elevations, steep slopes, extreme heat or cold, rain, snow, wind, dust, mud, sawdust, insects, falling vegetation, loud equipment, and changing weather conditions.

Employees may regularly work in proximity to chainsaws, heavy equipment, utility vehicles, ski lifts, snowmaking equipment, and other Mountain Operations activities.

Seasonal Employment

This is a seasonal position with the length of employment determined by weather, mountain conditions, project workload, and operational needs. Work schedules and weekly hours may vary throughout the season.

Seasonal employees may be required to work weekends, holidays, early mornings, or extended shifts depending on operational and project needs.

Safety Expectations

Safety is an essential function of this position. Sawyers are expected to conduct a hazard assessment before beginning cutting operations and continuously evaluate changing conditions throughout the job.

Employees must use required PPE, maintain appropriate distances from other personnel and equipment, follow established cutting and felling procedures, and immediately stop work when conditions become unsafe.

All employees are expected to contribute to a safety-focused Mountain Operations culture and communicate hazards or concerns to their supervisor and crew.