Ski Patrol Assistant Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

Whitefish Mountain Resort (Winter Sports, Inc)

Title:                                                       Ski Patrol Assistant Manager

Department:                                         Ski Patrol

Status:                                                    Full Time Seasonal (FTS)

FLSA:                                                      Non-Exempt, Hourly

Updated:                                               September 2025

Job Summary: The primary responsibility of the Ski Patrol Assistant Manager is to assist the Patrol Manager and in managing the ski patrol program at Whitefish Mountain Resort.  Those responsibilities may include directing and communicating work priorities, assigning duties, providing leadership and support of daily operations, assisting in managing daily avalanche mitigation work, enforce safety standards and performs all regular duties of ski patrol.  The Ski Patrol Assistant Manager will also organize and execute pre-season and ongoing training efforts and documentation. In the absence of the Patrol Manager, the Assistant Manager will be responsible for operational decision making and delegation of duties to ski patrol. 

Job Relationships: 

• Reports to:  Patrol Manager  
  • Employees Supervised:  Ski Patrol Supervisors, Dispatchers, and Ski Patrol staff

Job Requirements: 

• Two year college or trade education preferred.
• Minimum supervisory level leadership experience required.
• 5 years of previous ski patrol experience or comparable work experience required.
• AED/CPR certification at the Basic Life Support Level
• Current Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or comparable/higher medical certification.
• Minimum of Avalanche II (rec), preferred Avalanche Pro 1, AVPRO, Avalanche III (Rec) and/or equivalent work experience.
• 3 years minimum weather and avalanche forecasting experience.
• Expert proficiency in avalanche rescue and the Incident Command System.
• Experience in all aspects of avalanche mitigation explosives use including storage, cap and fuse detonation, and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to pass an ATF-E background check for “Responsible Person” clearance.
• Advanced knowledge of Whitefish Mountain Resort and/or ski area operations and avalanche mitigation is preferred.
• Must be an expert skier – ability to competently ski all types of terrain, including experience with backcountry travel.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook required.

Job Specifications: 

• Must be able to remain calm and effectively handle a variety of emergency situations (medical incidents, transports, avalanche mitigation and rescue, and lift incidents and evacuations).   
• Must be able to retain a professional level of communication with guests and employees at all times in a variety of situations and circumstances.
• Effectively and thoroughly complete incident reports and subsequent reports including information collection for investigations.
• Ability to operate a snowmobile consistent with WMR Snowmobile Operator training and WMR Snowmobile policy.
• Ability to train employees on patrol specific snowmobile operations and components 
• Ability to transport patients in a rescue toboggan in all terrain and all conditions.
• Proficiency in dispatch operations and ability to dispatch at any time.
• Knowledge of chairlift operation, evacuation procedures, and ability to identify abnormalities.
• Knowledge of all of WMR sweeps, trail closures, and avalanche routes.
• Knowledge of ALERT protocols and landing zone procedures. Ability to create a landing zone as needed.
• Knowledge of explosives handling and avalanche mitigation with the ability to lead most routes.
• Knowledge of technical rescue and technical hardware.
• Knowledge and ability to proficiently use an avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe for avalanche rescue.

• Per WSI Vehicle Insurance standards: must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license and the ability to be added to WSI’s vehicle insurance policy.

Specific Duties 

Supervision

• In the absence of Patrol Manager, be the primary point of contact for ski patrol and all other resort staff.
• Assist Patrol Manager with daily mountain operations including delegation of responsibilities, job assignments and avalanche mitigation program. 

• Assists in the recruiting, interviewing, hiring and scheduling of patrol staff.
• Assists in updating job descriptions and incorporate changes into the training and operation manuals. 
• Evaluates staff on the performance of duties and responsibilities and holds staff accountable.
• Approves payroll and communicates variances in labor and operational budgets
• Provides leadership, coaching and discipline for staff.
• Assists with coordinating training for staff on customer service, ski patrol duties, daily record keeping, safety, loss prevention, company policies and procedures.
• Assists with coordinating training of all required OSHA standards and maintaining records, working in conjunction with WMR Risk Control Manager to review accident investigations and follow up on all documentation protocols.

Administrative

• Assist with the preparation of the operational budget and ensure that the department operates within the budget guidelines.
• Maintains an adequate supply of tools and supplies needed for staff to perform assigned duties and annual inventory of equipment.

Training 

• Motivate and organize staff to provide pre-season and ongoing patrol training and documentation. 
• Suggests and coordinates continuing education for patrol staff. 
• Ensures patrol staff training adheres to standards and policies and procedures. 
• Assists in managing online OEC tracking, training curriculum, crew certifications and payment. 

Snow Safety Coordination

• Assist in transport, storage, inventory, and use of explosives, including weekly cache inspections and monthly inventory in accordance with federal and state regulations.
• Assist in documentation of avalanche mitigation efforts seasonally, weekly and daily.
• Assist in pre-season and ongoing snow safety, avalanche, and rescue training.
• May assist in maintaining weather stations.

Patrol Operations

• Assist with avalanche hazard assessment and mitigation.
• Identify and mark hazards for changing conditions.
• Inspect toboggans and components and clear them of ice/rime/snow.
• Perform morning duties which may include inspecting and maintaining rope lines, boundaries, and signage.
• Place Fog balls and other marking bamboo/signage as needed for conditions.

• Check all lifts for abnormalities, appropriate tower pad, condition and adjustment and other conditions that could affect skier safety while riding up.
• Conduct speed control and educate guests who violate the Skier Responsibility Code or are acting in an irresponsible or unsafe manner.

• Know all mountain runs and area as well as local/patrol names for specific areas 
• Keep all patrol rooms and patrol stations in a clean, orderly condition.

Incidents

• Patrol is responsible for responding to all incidents/medical emergencies at the ski area and mountain owned facilities
• Initiate 911/ALERT notification when appropriate based on specific circumstances and applicable protocols.  
• Responsible for thoroughly completing incident reports and information collection.
• Be familiar with all medical equipment used by WMR Ski Patrol. 
• Participate in on-going medical, technical, and procedural training.
• Maintain a professional demeanor and appearance at all times.

Rescue and Evacuation

• Be familiar with avalanche procedures (explosives, routes, snow conditions, rescue techniques).
• Know and practice with all rescue equipment (sleds, snowmobiles, ropes, climbing/belay gear).
• Know and practice with standard lift evacuation procedures.
• Patrollers must have mountain issued rescue equipment with them while on duty.

Public Relations

• Expected to be neat and clean, wear uniforms.
• Help with skier/rider education, crowd control, and speed control.

• Expected to be courteous and helpful to the skiing/riding public and present a professional attitude and manner at all times.
• Provide guest information at the Summit as well as other areas on mountain.

Race, Events, and Programs:

• Be familiar with and ready to help out with event and race support (string-lines, safety, etc.)
• Basic knowledge of terrain park and event layout

Safety & Wellness:

All team members are expected to continuously be alert and identify, mitigate or report occupational or public hazards to the appropriate WMR supervisor, manager or employee.  This will involve, but not be limited to, periodic inspections of work and public areas. Follow up notification will be done to correct the condition or practice at the earliest possible opportunity.

Work Environment:

• Ski with/lift/carry up to 50 pounds of weight often in awkward positions and variable ski conditions.
• Lifting may be up to 150 pounds, – may require lifting while twisting at torso and bending at knees while wearing ski boots.
• Expected to lift smaller weights from 25 to 50 pounds, often in awkward positions. 
• Skiing is moderate to strenuous and frequent overall.  
• Continuously throughout the shift required to twist, stoop/bend, squat, kneel, grasp with both hands and ski. 
• Occasionally climb lift towers, stairs, and work above the ground (heights), walk uneven ground, and push or pull amounts of weight 150-200 pounds. (1 hour total, up to 15 minutes continuous). 
• Ability to work under varying weather conditions, often extreme in nature.
• Job requires working weekends, holidays and overtime during peak demand times. 
• Non-smoking environment.
• Required to wear a helmet during all on-snow activities (skiing, riding, operating snowmobile or any other time head injury or overhead hazard is present).

This job description is to be considered a general outline of the duties and responsibilities and is subject to changes and revisions by Winter Sports, Inc management at any time.  Responsibilities are listed as guidelines only and the job is not necessarily limited to these specifications.