Fairy Meadow staging manager-Casual

Alpine Club of Canada; Golden; On-site; CAD 25,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

The Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) seeks an on‑site Helicopter Transfer Support role for the Fairy Meadow heli‑pad. You will prepare the staging area, liaise with pilots and ground crew, and guide guests through waiver and safety briefings, ensuring timely and safe transfers in a backcountry setting.

Ideal candidates will have helicopter operation understanding, strong communication, and the ability to work in remote BC environments.

Qualifications

• Basic understanding of helicopter ground operations and safety.
• Ability to give clear guest briefings including waivers.
• Strong communication with guests, pilots and crew.
• Comfort using radio for weather and site updates.
• Calm decision making in time‑pressured settings.
• Physically able to perform snow removal and gear handling.

Responsibilities

• Prepare staging area for guest arrivals; confirm weather delays by radio.
• Lead waiver discussions and collect signatures; manage forms.
• Coordinate guest parking and grouping for aircraft loading.
• Assist loading/unloading of guests and gear at Fairy Meadow.
• Support pilots with safety briefings and weather updates.
• Maintain hazard-free staging and comply with OH&S rules.

Skills

Helicopter ground ops

Guest briefings

Radio communication

Hazard awareness

WHMIS/OHS familiarity

First Aid/CPR asset

Remote/backcountry work

Driver license

Job description

The ACC is a not-for-profit organization established in 1906 that has grown to include 33 backcountry huts and 26 volunteer-run sections across the country. We also organize seasonal programs, such as our annual General Mountaineering Camp, as well as Shadow Lake Lodge and our hostel in Canmore. We have a rich history in Canadian Mountaineering and a dynamic team at the office to manage our diverse portfolios.

JOB OVERVIEW

This role is responsible for the safe, efficient, and professional operation support of the helicopter staging area serving Fairy Meadow. The position prepares the site for guest arrival, manages snow removal and hazard control around the heli-pad, coordinates the loading and unloading of guests and gear, and guides guest parking and grouping ahead of flights. Acting as the primary point of contact between the Alpine Club of Canada (ACC), Pilots/helicopter provider, and guests, this role delivers waiver and safety briefings, liaises directly with pilots and ground crew on weather and flight conditions, and ensures every transfer runs smoothly and safely. This position requires professional and approachable interaction with guests, sound judgment under time and noise pressure, and consistent adherence to WHMIS and OH&S standards.

This role is typically 1 day a week on our transfer days, this is located at the Sorcerer Lodge Heliport off Highway 1 near Heather Mountain Lodge, about 56 km west of Golden, British Columbia.

IDEAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong understanding of helicopter ground operations and staging safety.
• Ability to deliver clear, confident guest briefings, including legal waiver explanations.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to liaise professionally with guests, pilots, and ground crew.
• Comfortable communicating by radio, including relaying weather, visibility, and site conditions.
• Sound judgment and calm decision-making in noisy, time-pressured, and safety-critical situations.
• Physically fit and able to perform manual tasks, including snow removal and gear handling.
• Ability to work independently and in remote backcountry environments.
• Familiarity with WHMIS and Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) procedures.
• First Aid and CPR certification an asset.
• Valid driver's license and comfort traveling to remote facilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Site Preparation

• Ensure the site is fully prepared for guest arrival before any guests are permitted into the staging area.
• Contact the Helicopters by radio en route to staging to confirm flight schedule and check for weather delays.
• Complete snow removal and safety checks of the heli-pad, confirming the facility is safe before guests arrive.

Waivers and Guest Orientation

• Gather guests on arrival and lead the waiver discussion, clearly communicating that the waiver is a binding legal document.
• Confirm guests have reviewed their waiver in advance, walk through key waiver content, and witness signatures in a consistent, methodical manner.
• Distribute and collect Emergency Contact / Medical Information forms alongside the waiver process.
• Escalate any guest concerns about the validity of the waiver program immediately, per site protocol.

Guest and Gear Coordination

• Guide guest parking and organize guests into pre-identified groups sized to the incoming aircraft.
• Coordinate the loading and unloading of guest and cargo gear into the helicopter at staging and at Fairy Meadow.
• Deliver the pre-arrival safety briefing, covering loading/unloading procedure, expectations on landing, gear placement, and guest conduct around the aircraft.
• Support the pilot's safety briefing on arrival, reinforcing rotor safety, boarding procedure, and gear handling.

Working with Pilots and Ground Crew

• Liaise directly with Helicopters pilots and ground crew throughout each transfer.
• Report wind speed and direction, visibility, precipitation, and estimated temperature to the pilot ahead of landing.
• Hold guests and gear clear of the machine until cleared by the pilot, and support repositioning as needed.
• Maintain awareness of aircraft capacity and configuration (e.g., Alpine Helicopters' 407 and 212 aircraft) when organizing guest groups and gear loads.

Safety and Compliance

• Maintain a hazard-free, clearly defined staging and landing area at all times.
• Adhere to WHMIS and Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) procedures at all times.
• Represent the ACC in a professional and approachable manner with guests, pilots, and partners.

CORE VALUES

The ACC's core values guide our staff in their decision making, they serve as a compass for attitude and behaviour we exude daily. They promote unity among staff members, and determine how we should treat each other, members, and partners.

If we were in theatre, these core values would set the stage, but because we are in the backcountry, our core values set the ice. Acronym:

• Service: Providing exceptional service to our members and teammates. We understand that our purpose is to deliver good work that meets the needs of our members.
• Empowerment: Providing others with the space, knowledge, and resources to make decisions and try different approaches encourages autonomy, creativity, and innovation.
• Teamwork: Collaborating towards common goals of servicing our members and supporting each other through challenges promotes synergy, efficiency, and shared success.
• Integrity: Upholding transparency and following through on commitments builds trust and credibility within the organization and with external partners.
• Communication: Effective communication ensures that information is shared openly and respectfully, allowing for clarity, understanding, and collaboration among team members, partners, and stakeholders.
• Environmental Stewardship: Being mindful of our environmental impact. Intentionally prioritize environmental stewardship in all our endeavors.

Communicate, collaborate, and create — that's how we ACCelerate!

The Alpine Club of Canada is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, colour, race, gender, ancestry, ethnic origin, disability, or sexual orientation. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [e-mail] .

Priorto receiving an offer ofemployment, the successful candidate will be required to submit copies of allrequired certifications anddocumentation, including a.criminal records check.The Alpine Club of Canada wishes toexpress our appreciationto all applicants for their interest and efforttoin applying for this position. However, only those candidates selectedfor interviews will be contacted.