Avalanche Forecaster

Tourism Sun Peaks; Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading ski resort in British Columbia is seeking an Avalanche Forecaster to oversee the Snow Safety Program. This role involves daily monitoring of weather and snowpack conditions, implementing avalanche risk management, and ensuring safety for staff and guests. Responsibilities include conducting snow pack analysis, supervising safety teams, and leading training programs. Strong leadership and problem-solving skills are essential. This position provides an opportunity to work in a passionate and community-centered environment.

Benefits

Winter/Summer Season Lift, Trail and Golf passes

Employee and Family Assistance Program

Dining discounts

Retail discounts

Friends and family rates at the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel

Reciprocal programs with partnering ski areas

Qualifications

• Previous experience working in a ski resort Avalanche Program.
• Well developed knowledge of Ski Area Risk Management.
• Available to start full-time training on October 23rd, 2023.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Snow Safety Program and implement avalanche control measures.
• Communicate avalanche hazards to staff and guests.
• Conduct snow pack analysis and supervise field operations.

Skills

Strong leadership qualities

Problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

Computer skills (Google Earth, MS Word, MS Excel)

Education

CAA Level 2

CAA AvSAR

Job description

The Avalanche Forecaster will work within the Patrol team to oversee the Snow Safety Program at Sun Peaks. This role is tasked with performing at a high level of leadership, capable of prioritizing and strategizing all facets of the job. The job requires strong leadership qualities, the ability to problem solve, think creatively, and can foster a positive culture while building a high performing team.

The Avalanche Forecaster is responsible for the daily monitoring of weather and snowpack conditions to create a hazard assessment and implement appropriate avalanche risk management decisions resort wide. This position is responsible for ensuring terrain that is affected by avalanches and extreme weather is safe for staff and the public. The key areas of responsibility include planning, overseeing, and implementing avalanche control measures and training resort wide. The Avalanche Forecaster needs to be able to communicate avalanche hazards to staff members and guests effectively through social media updates, public bulletins, and other forms of public outreach. This role also requires proficiency in all aspects of avalanche search and rescue.

Compensation Information

$30.50 per hour

Physical Requirement

Heavy; work activities involve handling loads up to 35kg; predominantly in an outdoor setting; requires ability to ski/snowboard.

This job position requires physical presence at the designated location.

Perks and Benefits

• Winter/Summer Season Lift, Trail and Golf passes (varies by position)
• Access to our Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Dining discounts within our hotel & Resort-owned outlets
• Retail discounts in our Resort-owned outlets
• Friends and family rates at the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel
• Reciprocal programs with partnering ski areas & hotels

This role is eligible for an incentive for successful applicants to receive $1 per hour worked based on completion of a full winter season contract. Conditions apply to this incentive and will be shared during the interview and onboarding.

Minimum Requirements

• CAA Level 2
• CAA AvSAR
• Previous experience working in a ski resort Avalanche Program
• Well developed knowledge and understanding of Ski Area Risk Management and accident prevention
• Strong interpersonal skills and organizational skills
• Strong computer skills with programs like Google Earth, MS Word, MS Excel, etc.
• Available to start two weeks of full-time training on October 23rd, 2023 (please consult with Patrol Director if there are any conflicts)

Preferred Qualifications

• Avalanche Professional in Good Standing with the CAA
• Additional leadership, management, mentoring certifications
• Additional CAA courses
• ICS 200
• ICS 300
• Experience working at a minimum 3 seasons in ski resorts
• Proven: leadership, mentoring, team building, and motivational skills
• Valid BC drivers license
• WorkSafe BC Blasting License
• Program Current TDG Certificate

Primary Responsibilities

• Take the leadership, organizational, oversight role in SPR Patrol Snow Safety Operations.
• Implement and update the Avalanche Safety Plan.
• Oversee and direct Patrol Snow Safety team daily duties as they are assigned.
• Conduct snow pack analysis in study plots and other selected areas.
• Supervise field operations including slope testing.
• Supervise avalanche control operations; develop daily control strategy, assign control teams, and control routes.
• Facilitate avalanche related training programs including regular refresher training.
• Ensure that all training certificates are up to date and valid.
• Handling, preparing and deployment of explosives for the purpose of avalanche control.
• Creation of: a daily avalanche hazard forecast, Avalanche hazard analysis, info-ex report as well as other avalanche and weather-related information.
• Collecting weather observations, reporting and documentation as required.
• Maintain all signage, fencing and closures as required for Snow Safety Program.
• Take a leadership role in providing the highest possible standard of pre-hospital care and rescue services for our guests and employees as required by the Company.
• Work and communicate effectively with outside agencies such as Search and Rescue, BC Ambulance, Kamloops Search and Rescue etc.
• Provide appropriate detailed direction to snow safety team members by providing appropriate feedback on a task/daily/weekly/monthly basis as needed to ensure the development of all team members.
• Ensure proper signage is appropriately placed and maintained according to industry and company standards when patrolling.

Why join us?

We are Canada’s second-largest ski area and a passionate team committed to providing the finest mountain resort experience to our guests.

Our people are at the heart of what we do, making a difference to our guests and our workplace every single day. That’s why we invest in the employee experience; to ensure everyone can be at their best and live our values.

No matter who you are, or your career journey to date, once you join the team at Sun Peaks, you’ll get to feel part of our special community right away. You and your wellbeing matter to us; you’ll have plenty of opportunities to grow and learn, as well as enjoy everything our beautiful mountain resort has to offer. In return, we expect you to be passionate about working together to create special memories for our guests, while taking care of our precious environment for others to enjoy into the future.

We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture, and encourage applications from all qualified individuals.

We acknowledge that we live, work, and play on the traditional territory of the Secwépemc People.

Apply Now: https://sunpeaks.clearcompany.com/careers/jobs/f85258ff-cc6c-0106-c83d-8897e35d2de1/apply?source=3485534-CS-58771

Applications will start to be reviewed at the start of August