Winter Ski Trail Groomer

Paul Smith's College; Paul Smiths (NY); On-site; USD 28,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

Paul Smith’s College seeks a Winter Trail Groomer to operate and maintain 25 miles of winter trails. The role includes weekends and night shifts, using snowmobiles, snow cats, and related grooming gear.

Daily duties cover surface grooming, safety checks, and collaboration with staff for events. Candidates should have heavy equipment experience and knowledge of Nordic skiing, with a commitment to safe outdoor work.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in operating heavy equipment.
• Knowledge of Nordic skiing and groomed terrain.
• Ability to operate power tools and hand tools to improve trails.
• Strong safety awareness for outdoor winter work.
• Willingness to work weekends, holidays, irregular hours and evenings.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse teams for safe, inclusive work.

Responsibilities

• Prepare groomed trail surfaces for multiple configurations and uses.
• Operate grooming equipment safely and efficiently (snowmobiles, snow cats, etc.).
• Perform routine maintenance on equipment before use.
• Repair equipment to ensure safe, reliable operation and trails.
• Conduct trail improvements with chainsaws, pole saws, and shovels as needed.
• Coordinate winter trail races and events with staff and supervisor.
• Implement maintenance plans for equipment, tools, and trail infrastructure.
• Manage budgeting and purchasing for tools and fuels as directed.
• Daily inspect trails to ensure safety and comfort; report issues.
• Maintain the grooming operation space and publish daily reports.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Nordic skiing knowledge

Power tool operation

Safety awareness

Weekend/off-hours availability

Team collaboration

Job description

Career Opportunities with Paul Smith's College

A great place to work.

Career Opportunities at Paul Smith's College

Status: Temporary/ Seasonal, Non-exempt, ON CALL

Department: Visitor’s Interpretive Center (VIC)

Reports to: Trails and Facilities Manager

Salary: $22.00/hour

Description

The Winter Trail Groomer position maintains and grooms 25 miles of trails for various winter activities, including recreational and competitive skiing and snowshoeing. The primary duties are operating and maintaining grooming equipment (snowmobiles, snow cats, etc.). Work hours will include weekends and night shifts. Flexibility in scheduling is essential, as work hours will vary depending on weather conditions and event needs.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Prepare groomed trail surfaces for a variety of configurations and uses including recreational and competitive events for skate, classic cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
• Operate grooming equipment safely and efficiently including tracked ATV’s and UTV’s, snowmobiles, drag and roller equipment, and a snow cat (Piston Bully 100) with dual track setters and a 12-way blade.
• Perform routine, daily maintenance checks on equipment prior to utilization.
• Conduct necessary repairs to equipment as needed to ensure safe and reliable equipment, and a well‑maintained trail system.
• Operate power saw and hand tools to improve trails including the use of chainsaws, pole saws, and snow shovels.
• Collaborate with college staff and others to plan and implement winter trail races and events
• Implement daily, seasonal, short and long‑term maintenance plans in coordination with supervisor for equipment, tools, snow cat barn, and trail infrastructure.
• Coordinate with supervisor for budgeting and purchasing tools, equipment, fluids, and maintenance items for equipment.
• Daily inspection of trail system mitigating safety and comfort concerns including trail surface and tree management. Assessment and repair including shoveling trailside benches and stocking trailside outhouses. Installation and monitoring of trail wayfinding signage and race signage as needed.
• Manage the on‑site needs of the grooming operation including general upkeep of workspace, fuel and fluids, signage, and providing a published daily grooming report.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in operating heavy equipment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Nordic skiing, its various disciplines, and the varieties of groomed terrain that support it.
• Desire and ability to operate power saw and hand tools to improve trails including the use of chainsaws, pole saws, and snow shovels.
• Knowledge of and desire to maintain safety at the workplace regarding power tools, heavy equipment, and risk in the outdoor winter environment.
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, irregular hours, and evening work a must.
• Ability to work with a broad range of diverse individuals and groups to form a safe and inclusive workplace.

Preferred

• 2-years’ experience operating and maintaining Nordic ski grooming equipment including a Piston Bully 100, snowmobiles, ATV, and UTV’s.
• Proficiency in preparation of groomed trail surfaces for a variety of configurations and uses including recreational and competitive events for skate, classic cross‑country skiing and snowshoeing.
• Demonstrated knowledge of event preparation including placement of appropriate signage, V-Boards, flagging and grooming to produce desired race configurations.
• Preferably certified in, or willing to obtain the following certifications: Wilderness First Responder, CPR and First Aid, valid driver’s license, chainsaw safety certifications, heavy equipment operator certifications.

Physical Requirements

Environmental Conditions?

The Work of this position is primarily performed outdoors. Seasonal temperatures should be expected and various noise levels dependent on equipment being used to perform job duties should be expected.

Lifting and Carrying

Occasionally lifting and carrying of equipment weighing 50 lbs.

Equipment and related debris are of various shapes and sizes so may require unusual gripping points.

Mobility

Occasional standing and walking across snow covered surfaces potentially utilizing snowshoes.

Ability to bend, stoop, and kneel to pick up items, as necessary.

May have to climb some moderately challenging steep hills and hike up to two miles.

Frequent need to reach overhead or below waist level to perform work duties.

Dexterity and Hand-Eye Coordination

Manual dexterity for handling tools and equipment used in the performance of duties.

Sensory Requirements

Good vision, including color vision, with corrective lenses as necessary. ??

Good hearing with assistive devices as necessary. ??

Paul Smith’s College is an equal opportunity employer. Position descriptions are created that focus on essential functions, using inclusive language, and avoid unnecessary or discriminatory requirements.

Review of candidates starts immediately!