Avalanche Technician Jasper AB Basic

The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge; Municipality of Jasper; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A seasonal ski resort is seeking a full-time Avi tech team leader to enhance safety operations. The role involves identifying risks, managing avalanche safety, and leading staff. Candidates must have advanced First Aid training, a valid Alberta driver's license, strong skiing abilities, and a readiness to operate in challenging terrain. This role requires both teamwork and leadership skills and is ideal for motivated individuals looking to elevate their career in ski patrol.

Benefits

Annual equipment allowance

Safety training provided

Qualifications

• Must demonstrate ski patrol skill sets by the end of the probationary period.
• Clear Criminal Record and Vulnerable Person Record Check on file.
• Completion of basic fall arrest training.

Responsibilities

• Identify and address safety concerns for staff and guests.
• Manage on-slope risk and perform trail maintenance.
• Provide first aid, rescue, and communicate weather information.

Skills

Skiing ability in all conditions

First Aid expertise

Risk management

Effective communication

Education

80-hour advanced First Aid course

Alberta class 5 Driver's license

Tools

Radio equipment

Avalanche safety gear

Job description

Position Overview

This is a full-time seasonal position in Marmot Basin's Safety Operations Department. The role is for individuals who have demonstrated skills and a desire to move into an Avi tech team leader position with mentoring. One season of experience or less is required to meet all the requirements of an Avi tech team leader. This position has a compressed schedule: during the operating season, shifts are 9 or 10.5 hours per day on a two-week rotating cycle; during the non-operating season, shifts are 8 or 10 hours per day depending on operational requirements. The first 90 working days are a probationary period. The incumbent should expect to work outside in various weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Identify and address safety concerns pertaining to staff and guests while working in a safe and efficient manner.


• Observe and aid with the daily tasks associated with Marmot Basin's Avalanche Safety Plan.


• Maintain and repair all tools and supplies needed to perform duties.


• On-slope risk management: identify and mitigate hazards on hill (run checks, hazard marking) and complete all associated paperwork.


• On-slope maintenance: perform trail maintenance as required (snow farming, shoveling, fencing, etc.), maintenance cuts in open avalanche terrain.


• Enforce the “Alpine Responsibility Code”, slow riding zones, and area closures.


• Demonstrate knowledge of equipment locations, use, and movement.


• Skillfully apply Marmot Basin’s radio procedures and protocols.


• Provide on-hill rescue, first aid and triage: attend, treat and transport patients with or without assistance; can lead and direct others in the same.


• Travel in avalanche terrain on skis, snowmobiles and snow cats.


• Team lead capabilities to guide single or multiple teams through simple, challenging (ATES scale) or open avalanche terrain for active avalanche control and data collection.


• Use rope and mountaineering travel skills to traverse alpine terrain as part of a team.


• Collect weather and snowpack information to OGeRS standards; submit weather, avalanche and snowpack observations to InfoEx.


• Assist in emergency situations including avalanches, first aid, MCI, rope rescue, chair lift evacuation, fires, missing people, spills, fatalities, animal attacks and explosions.


• Under the direction of the Director of Public Safety (DPS) or Ski Patrol Supervisor, assist with staff instruction on on-slope risk management topics and related topics as directed.


• Under the direction of the DPS, create teaching resources and provide instruction in risk management and response to: avalanches, first aid, MCI, rope rescue, evacuations, fires, spills, missing people, fatalities, animal attacks, explosions, and other topics as directed.


• Communicate snowpack and weather information to the DPS or their designate.


• Ensure that the DPS or designate is informed of on-hill risk that may affect life or property if residual risk exists outside Marmot Basin's operational risk band.


• Data and database management; work with outside agencies as required.


• Respect and adhere to the company's policies and procedures as set in the Corporate Policies, Employee Handbook and Safety Operations Training Manuals.


• Understand and adhere to Ski Marmot Basin's Harassment Policy and the Privacy Policy.


• Report all damage or problems with company vehicles to the Vehicle Maintenance Supervisor.


• Other duties as assigned by your Supervisor.

Qualifications

• External applicants: previous experience and ability to demonstrate all required ski patrol skill sets by the end of the probationary period. Internal applicants: exceed all performance requirements of a Grade 2 Ski Patroller and meet the performance requirements of a Grade 3 Ski Patroller.


• 80-hour advanced First Aid course or higher, CPR current certification, and completion of the advanced protocol training program.


• Internal applicants: CAA ITP level 1, basic weather course, and advanced AvSar 2; External applicants: CAA ITP level 2. CAA Avalanche Practitioner Member (preferred) or ability to achieve prior to end of the probationary period.


• Incident Command System ICS 200.


• Intermediate snowmobile operator (advanced preferred).


• Holds a Natural Resources Canada Explosive Regulatory Division approval or equivalent; explosives log with a minimum of five (5) explosive missions and twenty (20) explosive placements.


• Holds an Alberta non-mining explosives license, or ability to obtain it prior to the end of the probationary period.


• Clear Criminal Record and Vulnerable Person Record Check on file (updated yearly).


• Transportation of Dangerous Goods by ground certificate.


• Completion of basic fall arrest training.


• Rope rescue training/certification (preferred).


• Alberta class 5 Driver's license.

Performance Requirements

• Demonstrated strong skiing ability in all mountain and snow conditions in Advanced/Most difficult and Expert/Extreme terrain, demonstrated via ski skill assessment and daily performance.


• Physically fit to ski with heavy loads (25+ kg).


• Successfully complete Marmot Basin First Aid refresher including advanced first aid skills.


• Attend Marmot Basin’s annual explosives refresher.


• High level practical first aid experience; lead patient treatment and extrication in Marmot Basin terrain.


• Extensive knowledge of on-hill risk management and Safety Operations programs.


• Lead staff through simple, challenging or open avalanche terrain for data collection and active avalanche control.


• Provide thorough and relevant snowpack and weather updates to Area Leader/Forecaster; complete avalanche documentation to OGeRS standards.


• Experience with ski cutting and explosives for avalanche control as appropriate.


• Excellent time management; ability to move equipment around the hill with minimal prompting.


• Knowledge of Marmot Basin terrain and facilities, and ability to communicate conditions effectively.


• Strong understanding of Marmot Basin Safety Operations Manual, SOPs and First Aid algorithms; proficient with radio protocols and standard emergency communications.


• Proven competency with radio protocols and 10 codes; professional radio use.


• Ability to perform run checks and risk mitigation; complete associated paperwork to a high standard.


• Proficient snowmobile operations (basic; intermediate preferred).


• Act as AvSar strike team leader or safety officer, and lead scenes with multiple targets, establish staging and coordinate resources.


• Ability to safely perform self-evacuation from a chairlift and to lead a manual chairlift evacuation team.


• Experience with rope access and heights; able to climb towers and set up shive bypasses.


• Read and sign Marmot Basin's Employee Handbook and Safety Operations Work Hazard Assessment; maintain currency training and training records.

Core Competencies

• Professional demeanor with excellent customer service; experience handling high-stress patient care situations.


• Deescalation skills; ability to manage tense situations and guest interactions.


• Ability to ski in all mountain terrains; completed Marmot Basin ski skill assessment.


• Strong teamwork, direction-following, and situational awareness; self-motivated and problem-solving.


• Trustworthy and capable of working unsupervised.

Attributes

• Strong team player, motivated, observant, and self-aware; able to identify gaps in own training and apply skills.


• Recreational mountain pursuits (hiking, rock climbing, ski touring) are essential.


• Includes equipment responsibilities: skis, touring bindings, skins, a head lamp, harness, carabiners, radio, avalanche gear, and safety equipment; annual equipment allowance provided.

For safety and patient care, safety operations staff should maintain up-to-date inoculations against polio, Hepatitis A/B, Mumps/Rubella, Diphtheria/Tetanus, Varicella, Measles, Influenza (yearly), and COVID-19.

All employees are required to complete Marmot Basin Safety Operations ski skill assessment, pass a ski binding test performed and recorded by Marmot Basin Rental/Repair staff, and submit a Vulnerable Persons Check yearly. A valid Alberta driver's license is required.

Questions: [e-mail]