Grooming Manager

Essential Job Responsibilities/Duties/Tasks include the following; other duties may be assigned: 

• Oversee the grooming and maintenance of Red Lodge Mountain’s slopes, ramps, and park areas. 

• Work closely with the Road and Vehicle Manager to maintain equipment as necessary, as well as all Red Lodge Mountain Managers to provide a quality and consistent snow surface product and a safe environment for guests and employees.  

• Use grader, loader, and plow truck to assist Road and Vehicle Manager with snow and ice removal duties as needed on roads, courtyard, and parking lots.  

• Hire, train, evaluate, supervise, reward, and discipline all assigned staff and oversee work schedule in accordance with Red Lodge Mountain policies. 

• Communicate effectively with all grooming staff and other department managers to meet the needs suited for a successful, positive workplace. 

• Work closely with Terrain Park Manager to accomplish park design resets and general needs. 

• Develop and implement policies and procedures for the Grooming department. 

• Direct safe and responsible operation of all equipment used by the grooming staff.  

• Respond effectively to changing weather, mountain conditions, and operational schedules. 

• Have careful and exact handling of all company property and funds related to this position. 

• Uphold and enforce compliance with all company policies and procedures and adhere to all state, federal, and county laws. 

• Conduct and document safety meetings as required by Red Lodge Mountain. 

• Attend manager meetings and training sessions as directed by General Manager. 

• Carefully perform pre and post checks and report any problems to Vehicle Maintenance.  Responsible for startup, maintenance, and shutdown of equipment. 

• Maintain clean grooming machines. 

• Responsible for department labor/operations budget working in conjunction with RLM’s Director of Finance. 

• Coordinate with Road and Vehicle Manager to purchase equipment and supplies for the Grooming department.  

• Maintain complete record keeping system (logs and checklists) in coordination with Road and Vehicle Manager. 

• Provide accurate and up to date grooming reports. 

• Work at night in cold, wintry conditions and make sure safety equipment and uniforms are in proper working order. 

• Coordinate with snowmakers to move snowmaking guns, create safe paths of travel, and wrap up operations where needed before the public is on the hill. 

• Effectively communicate with other employees both in person and via email/telephone/two-way radio. 

Skills and Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.  

Required: 

• Have excellent communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills. 

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high level of accuracy, professionalism, and courtesy. 

• 18 years of age or older. 

• Basic computer skills email (Office Suite) and time (ADP) required.  

• Willingness to work as a team with mechanics/supervisor/other managers to ensure proper and safe operation/maintenance of vehicles. 

• Ability to monitor machinery and fix or notify mechanics of any problems that arise. 

• Strong interpersonal skills enabling effective communication with co-workers, supervisors, and managers. 

• Ability to evaluate rapidly changing conditions in machinery, weather, and environment.  

• Ability to work at night and a varied schedule including weekends/holidays. 

Experience/Education 

Required: 

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) or 1-3 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Current Montana Driver License (CDL a plus) 

• 3-5 years of groomer maintenance and operation in the ski industry. 

• Intermediate or expert skiing or snowboarding ability. 

• Experience driving over-the-snow vehicles. 

Preferred: 

• Previous experience working in harsh outdoor conditions. 

• Experience operating heavy equipment and/or grooming. 

• Experience operating a snowmobile. 

• Knowledge of general mechanics. 

• Knowledge of the ski industry. 

 Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, talk, see, hear, and smell.  The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls.  Must be capable of walking or standing 10% or more of a normal 8-hour work shift and sitting 90% of normal 8-hour work shift. Must be capable of occasionally lifting and pushing or pulling 50 lbs. or more, and frequently lifting, pushing or pulling, and carrying up to 100 lbs. Must be capable of occasional climbing movements, walking on uneven terrain and walking on snow and ice.  Must be able to bend, kneel, reach, and crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include night vision, close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perceptions, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes, caustic chemicals, and explosives. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. 

Equipment Used: 

• Snowcat 

• Snow removal equipment 

• Telephone/Two-way radio/Computer 

• Snowmobile/ATV/4WD Vehicle 

• Over snow vehicles 

• Hand and power tools 

• Rigging equipment 

• Shovel 

Working Conditions: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in an enclosed vehicle and encounters harsh outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally is exposed to the risk of avalanches. The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places. They will frequently be exposed to vibration. They will occasionally be exposed to extreme cold and wet conditions, fumes or airborne particles, and risk of electric shock.