Snowmaking Operations & Maintenance Supervisor

Job Details: Job Location: Purgatory Resort

• DURANGO, CO, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $60000.00 - $70000.00Salary/year, Snowmaking Operations & Maintenance Supervisor General Purpose: The Snowmaking Operations & Maintenance Supervisor is responsible for the year-round management of Purgatory Resort’s snowmaking operations, training and maintenance programs, pumphouse and booster facilities, snowmaking equipment, and supporting infrastructure. This position reports directly to the Slopes & Terrain Manager and provides direct leadership and operational accountability for both summer maintenance activities and winter snow production, ensuring the snowmaking system, personnel, and equipment are prepared to safely and efficiently meet resort operating goals. The Snowmaking Supervisor oversees seasonal planning, staffing, training, preventative maintenance, system startup and shutdown, snowmaking production operations, equipment readiness, and coordination of repairs and improvements. This position maintains a thorough working knowledge of Purgatory’s unique water, air, pumping, control, automation, and distribution systems and works closely with the Slopes & Terrain Manager to identify future infrastructure, equipment, maintenance, staffing, and training needs. The Snowmaking Supervisor is expected to maintain high standards of operational readiness, employee development, system reliability, documentation, and accountability throughout all aspects of the department. This is a Full-Time/Year-Round position starting 11/15/26. Dates are subject to change based on the availability of the applicant and needs of the business. This role comes with a free season pass for you and your dependents. For a full list of benefits visit: https://www.purgatory.ski/employee-benefits/ Essential Duties/Responsibilities: ● Directly manage Snowmaking Operations & Maintenance personnel, including foremen, crew leads, winter snowmaking crews, summer maintenance crews, and pumphouse operations staff. ● Develop seasonal staffing plans, schedules, training priorities, production goals, and maintenance objectives based on operational needs, available resources, and growing infrastructure. ● Lead winter snowmaking production, including startup strategy, system operation, crew deployment, snowmaking priorities, weather response, equipment utilization, and coordination with Trails Maintenance and other Mountain Operations departments as needed. ● Maintain sufficient understanding of mountain conditions, snowmaking coverage, production capabilities, and grooming needs to effectively prioritize snow placement, trail building, and resource allocation. ● Manage the transition from winter production into year-round maintenance operations, retaining and organizing an appropriate core maintenance crew while maintaining sufficient system, equipment, and personnel readiness to respond to changing seasonal operating needs. ● Develop and execute comprehensive preventive and corrective maintenance programs for snowmaking guns, hydrants, hoses, valves, pumphouse and booster equipment, compressors, cooling systems, controls, automation, and related infrastructure. Utilize post-season and shoulder-season maintenance periods for system evaluation, equipment testing, training, documentation, upgrades, and other operational improvements. ● Coordinate seasonal testing, contracting, startup, shutdown, winterization, inspections, and documentation of snowmaking systems and equipment. ● Oversee pumphouse and booster operations, maintaining reliable operation of pumps, compressors, cooling systems, chemical systems, electrical controls, automation, and associated mechanical infrastructure. ● Troubleshoot snowmaking system, pumping, compressed-air, mechanical, electrical, and control issues and coordinate repairs, technical support, training, parts, and system improvements with internal departments, manufacturers, technical representatives, vendors, and contractors as needed. ● Assist with development and maintenance of snowmaking SOPs, training materials, operator qualifications, maintenance procedures, inspection standards, and department documentation. ● Ensure employees are properly trained and qualified for assigned duties, with continued emphasis on safe operating practices, technical competency, equipment care, and professional development. ● Monitor equipment condition, maintenance history, recurring failures, spare parts, consumables, and inventory needs; plan and coordinate the purchase of snowmaking equipment, supplies, replacement parts, and seasonal operating materials to maintain system readiness and minimize operational downtime. ● Coordinate snowmaking equipment installations, replacements, relocations, upgrades, automation improvements, and other system modifications. ● Assist with development and planning of snowmaking infrastructure expansions, system upgrades, capital projects, equipment purchases, and long-range system improvements. ● Maintain accurate operational and maintenance records, including production data, equipment status, system issues, repairs, inspections, training, inventory, and seasonal accomplishments. ● Work with Slopes & Terrain Manager to develop annual operating, labor, maintenance, and capital budgets; manage the approved department budget and track expenditures; prepare itemized purchase requests and purchase orders for unbudgeted expenses or purchases outside approved allowances. ● Identify recurring system issues, operational inefficiencies, equipment needs, and opportunities to improve snowmaking production, reliability, safety, efficiency, and cost effectiveness; develop and submit improvement plans, recommendations, cost justifications, and supporting documentation for proposed operational or capital improvements. ● Coordinate snowmaking operations and maintenance needs with Trails Maintenance, Vehicle Maintenance, Lift Maintenance, Lift Operations, Ski Patrol, Terrain Parks, and other resort departments as required. Other Responsibilities: ● Participate in Slopes & Terrain and Mountain Operations planning meetings as required. ● Assist with snowmaking infrastructure inspections, project planning, construction activities, contracting, and system improvements. ● Provide snowmaking personnel, equipment, and technical support to other resort operations when appropriate and operationally feasible. ● Support emergency response, infrastructure failures, unusual weather events, and other significant operational situations as needed. ● Maintain familiarity with evolving snowmaking technologies, equipment, automation, maintenance practices, and industry standards. ● Assist with recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, employee evaluations, performance management, and development of future snowmaking leaders. ● Support special projects, seasonal transitions, and other Mountain Operations needs as appropriate. ● Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Strong technical, mechanical, organizational, financial, and leadership skills with extensive knowledge of snowmaking operations, maintenance, and supporting infrastructure. This role requires: ● Strong leadership and organizational abilities with experience managing personnel, maintenance programs, and seasonal operations.

● Advanced working knowledge of snowmaking systems, including water and compressed-air distribution, pumps, compressors, hydrants, valves, snowmaking equipment, and related infrastructure. ● Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot pumping, compressed-air, electrical, control, automation, and other snowmaking system issues.

● Thorough understanding of snowmaking production, weather conditions, snow placement, trail coverage, and coordination with grooming and mountain operations. ● Ability to develop and manage preventative and corrective maintenance programs, seasonal startup/shutdown procedures, equipment inspections, and system readiness.

● Strong understanding of safe operating practices, employee training, qualification standards, equipment accountability, and operational documentation. ● Ability to plan staffing, equipment, supplies, inventory, and maintenance needs for both winter operations and year-round maintenance activities. ● Strong budgeting, purchasing, cost-tracking, and resource-management skills.

● Ability to identify system deficiencies and develop clear improvement recommendations, cost justifications, and supporting documentation. ● Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound operational decisions under changing weather, production, and equipment conditions. ● Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to coordinate effectively with employees, management, manufacturers, contractors, vendors, and other resort departments.

● Strong computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, spreadsheets, snowmaking control systems, digital records, and related operational software. ● High attention to detail, documentation accuracy, accountability, and follow-through. ● Ability to work independently, delegate effectively, prioritize competing needs, and maintain reliable department operations in a fast-changing mountain environment.

Preferred: ● Experience with automated snowmaking systems, pump and compressor controls, VFDs, PLC-based controls, or similar industrial systems. ● Experience with snowmaking infrastructure construction, pipeline installation, system expansion, or capital improvement projects. ● Experience developing SOPs, technical documentation, maintenance procedures, training programs, or operator qualification systems.

● Experience working with snowmaking manufacturers, technical representatives, contractors, and specialized service providers. ● Familiarity with digital mapping, infrastructure mapping, GPS, or similar project and asset-management tools. Special Certifications/Licensing or Formal Training: ● Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record required.

Preferred: ● Manufacturer-specific or industry training or certification related to snowmaking systems, equipment, pumps, compressors, controls, automation, or system maintenance. ● Technical education, apprenticeship, or specialized training or certification in mechanical systems, electrical systems, industrial maintenance, utilities, construction, or related trades.

● OSHA or other applicable occupational safety training or certification. ● Heavy equipment, snowcat, snowmobile, or equipment-specific operational and safety training or certification. ● First Aid/CPR/AED training or certification. ● Other advanced or specialized training or certifications related to snowmaking, mechanical systems, utilities, maintenance, construction, or mountain operations.

Formal Education: ● High school diploma or GED equivalent required. ● College degree in resort operations, ski area management, engineering, applied sciences, business, construction management, or a related field preferred. ● Equivalent combinations of formal education and substantial relevant professional experience may be considered.

Experience: ● Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in snowmaking operations, maintenance, or related mountain operations required. ● Previous supervisory or management experience, specifically with experience leading snowmaking crews or technical maintenance teams required. ● Demonstrated experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting snowmaking equipment and supporting water, air, pumping, or distribution systems.

● Experience and familiarity with pumphouse operations, pumps, compressors, controls, automation, or other industrial mechanical systems strongly preferred. Working Environment/Physical Activities: This position combines a substantial office and administrative workload with regular field, shop, pumphouse, and operational responsibilities.

Office work includes planning, budgeting, scheduling, purchasing, reporting, documentation, personnel management, maintenance planning, and project coordination. Field and operational work is performed year-round at elevation and may include pumphouse operations, mechanical maintenance, system testing, construction support, and active snowmaking in extreme cold, heat, wind, snow, rain, ice, darkness, and other changing mountain conditions.

The position requires safe travel by foot, vehicle, snowmobile, skis, or other appropriate means and work around pressurized water and air systems, pumps, compressors, electrical equipment, machinery, and snowmaking equipment. Physical activities may include prolonged walking or standing on steep, uneven, snowy, or icy terrain; climbing, bending, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, and handling hoses, tools, equipment, and materials.

Must be capable of regularly lifting up to 50 pounds and assisting with heavier items using appropriate personnel or mechanical assistance. Work schedules may include early mornings, nights, weekends, holidays, extended shifts, and emergency response based on maintenance, production, project, and operational needs