Snowmaker

Paylocity; Coal Valley (IA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

Seven Oaks Recreation is seeking a Snowmaker for the Mountain Operations team in Iowa. This winter seasonal, part-time position focuses on producing quality snow and maintaining base coverage.

Work includes operating snowmaking equipment, monitoring systems, and assisting with maintenance tasks during evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays. Candidates should be 18+ with a high school diploma or GED preferred.

Qualifications

• Age 18+ at time of hire.
• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous snowmaking or outdoor labor experience is helpful but not required.
• Must be reliable, punctual, safety-conscious, and able to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Move, set up, and operate snowmaking equipment across the ski area.
• Monitor and adjust water and air flows based on weather conditions.
• Perform routine inspection, maintenance, and minor repairs on snowmaking equipment.
• Work evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays as conditions permit and seasonality requires.

Skills

Physical stamina

Communication skills

Teamwork

Reliability

Education

High School Diploma or GED preferred

Job description

Department: Mountain Operations / Snowmaking

Reports To: Operations Manager / Head Snowmaker

Employment Type: Winter Seasonal

Schedule: Part-Time Seasonal; primarily evenings, overnight shifts, weekends, and holidays

Job Overview

The Snowmaker is responsible for producing and maintaining quality snow coverage throughout the ski area to help establish and maintain a solid snow base for the winter season. This is a hands-on, physically demanding outdoor position that involves operating snowmaking equipment, high-pressure water and air systems, monitoring changing weather conditions, and assisting with the inspection, maintenance, and repair of snowmaking and mountain operations equipment.

Snowmaking is highly dependent on weather conditions. Employees must be flexible and prepared to work evenings, overnight shifts, early mornings, weekends, and holidays when temperatures and conditions are favorable for snow production.

Essential Job Functions

Snowmaking Operations

• Transport, place, set up, operate, monitor, and adjust snowmaking equipment throughout the ski area.
• Operate snowmaking machinery under the direction of the Head Snowmaker and Operations Manager.
• Monitor snow guns, snowmaking machines, water lines, air hoses, pumps, and related equipment throughout snowmaking operations.
• Make adjustments to water and air flow based on temperature, humidity, wind, and changing weather conditions.
• Move hoses, snow guns, and other equipment across snow-covered and icy terrain.
• Monitor snow production and communicate changing conditions, equipment issues, and snowmaking needs to the Head Snowmaker or Operations Manager.
• Shut down, dismantle, clean, inspect, and properly store snowmaking equipment following production cycles.

Equipment Maintenance & Operations

• Assist with inspecting, maintaining, troubleshooting, and performing minor repairs on snowmaking and mountain operations equipment.
• Assist with preventative maintenance and inspections of equipment including snowmaking machines, booster pumps, pumps, generators, pickup trucks, skid steers, snowcats, and other specialized equipment.
• Use hand tools, power tools, and other equipment necessary to complete assigned maintenance and repair tasks.
• Assist with maintaining appropriate records of maintenance and repairs performed on equipment as directed.
• Report equipment malfunctions, damage, safety concerns, and needed repairs promptly to management.
• Assist the Operations Manager and other members of the Mountain Operations team with maintenance projects and other tasks as needed.

Mountain Operations & Snow Maintenance

• Assist with snow and ice control throughout the ski area.
• Assist with moving and distributing snow and maintaining appropriate snow levels around operational areas.
• Assist with building and maintaining snow ramps at chair lift loading and unloading areas.
• Assist with clearing snow and ice from sidewalks, walkways, work areas, and other locations as needed.
• Assist with chair lift operations and understand applicable safety start and stop procedures when properly trained.
• Operate skid steers, snowcats, or other equipment when trained and authorized to do so.
• Assist other Mountain Operations departments and work in other areas of the ski area when operational needs require.

Safety & Teamwork

• Follow all company safety procedures and established snowmaking and equipment operating practices.
• Follow safety procedures when working around high-pressure water and air systems, machinery, vehicles, chair lifts, and other specialized equipment.
• Maintain awareness of surroundings while working at night, around operating equipment, and on steep, icy, or snow-covered terrain.
• Properly use required personal protective equipment.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors and team members regarding snowmaking conditions, equipment status, maintenance needs, and safety concerns.
• Work cooperatively as part of the Mountain Operations team to meet snow production and operational goals.
• Help maintain a positive, professional, fun, and safe work environment.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Age Requirement: Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of hire.
• Education: High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous experience with snowmaking, ski area operations, mechanical work, outdoor trades, equipment operation, or physical labor is preferred but not required.
• Previous experience with chair lifts, snowmaking equipment, snowmobiles, snowcats, pumps, or similar machinery is a plus.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and ability to safely use hand and power tools preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Must be reliable, punctual, self-motivated, safety-conscious, and trustworthy.
• Must be able to work independently with limited direct supervision as well as effectively as part of a team.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Must be willing and able to work a flexible schedule based on weather and operational needs, including evenings, overnight shifts, early mornings, weekends, and holidays.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

This is a highly physical outdoor position performed primarily during winter weather conditions.

• Must be able to lift, carry, pull, push, and maneuver equipment and heavy snowmaking hoses weighing 50+ pounds.
• Must be able to perform strenuous physical work for extended periods.
• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods, including on steep, uneven, icy, wet, and snow-covered terrain.
• Must be able to bend, kneel, climb, reach, push, pull, and perform repetitive physical movements.
• Must be able to work outdoors for extended periods in extreme cold, snow, wind, freezing rain, wet conditions, and other changing winter weather.
• Must be comfortable working during nighttime and overnight hours with limited natural lighting.
• Must be able to work around loud machinery, compressors, pumps, snow guns, vehicles, and other operating equipment.
• Must be able to safely perform job duties while wearing appropriate winter clothing and required personal protective equipment.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general duties and responsibilities of the position and is not an exhaustive list. Employees may be required to perform additional duties outside of their normal responsibilities as business needs dictate. Management reserves the right to modify or assign other duties as necessary. Employment is contingent upon successfully meeting all company hiring requirements.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Seven Oaks Recreation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Seven Oaks Recreation is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all aspects of employment.