Assistant Manager of Pass Powderkeg and Pool- Closes Aug 4

The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass is Canada's southerly travelled corridor of the Rocky Mountains and is historically known for its scenic land of forests and peaks. Nestled in the southwest corner of Alberta, Crowsnest Pass offers all the amenities you need to live, work and play. Friendly people, good facilities, great restaurants, amazing outdoor recreation and services, and an excellent quality of life.

The Municipality is recruiting for the role of Assistant Manager of Pass Powderkeg and Pool. This is an exciting role that combines managerial oversight to two of our seasonal treasures that make this a great place to call home, the Pass Powderkeg Ski Area and the Pass Pool.  Pass Powderkeg opened in 1938 and is a “delightfully retro” family friendly, affordable ski resort that is a great place to learn to ski.  The hill boasts trails of all difficulty levels but is small enough that kids can roam free and explore.  The Pass Pool is newly renovated outdoor pool open during the months of May-September and offers a lazy river, toddler pool, 6 lane lap pool, hot tub and water slide.  

This posting will remain open until August 4, 2024.  We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversees and provides leadership for mountain operations at Pass Powderkeg including, but not limited to, snowmaking, grooming, trail maintenance, snow patrol, lift operations and other aspects of the operation as required.  
  • Prepares staff schedules for the maintenance, trail crew, grooming and snowmaking departments.
  • Creates seasonal snowmaking operational plan based on budget, equipment and weather and coordinates and ensures execution of the snowmaking plan according to weather, available resources and other factors to achieve goals and deadlines set by the Manager of Pass Powderkeg and Pool.
  • Oversees the design and development of a safe, feasible terrain park in conjunction with staff..
  • Coordinates all grooming operation from snowmaking through to end of season tear down.
  • Train, mentor and guide staff to ensure safe operation of all off road vehicles and equipment
• Oversees and provides leadership for the Crowsnest Pass Community Pool including:
  • Start up and shut down of facility, including water chemistry, light pool and building maintenance, cleaning and operational set up.
  • Day to day operations including water testing, water chemistry and basic facility maintenance
  • Handling day to day operational concerns and issues as they arise.
• Works collaboratively with the Manager to address and manage any daily operational issues that may arise and provides support and mentorship to the seasonal staff.
• Works with the Manager to develop new events and revenue streams that may support departmental and operational goals for the facilities.
• Develops maintenance and operational plans for Pass Powderkeg Ski Area and for the Crowsnest Pass Pool chemical system.
• Fosters a safe work environment through planning work and encouraging safe work practices and acts as a safe work role model within the organization
• Create guidelines, standard operating procedures and safe operating procedures for snowmaking, grooming, trail maintenance, lift operations, pool chemistry and maintenance.
• Assists with the development of annual and seasonal maintenance budget for passenger ropeways, buildings, vehicles, mechanical systems and capital requests.
• Coordinate contracted services based on scope of work while adhering to all Municipality of Crowsnest Pass policies and procedures.
• Regularly inspects ski and pool area facilities to determine problems and necessary maintenance.
• Ensures adherence to all federal and provincial codes related to passenger ropeways and industry quality standards for maintenance and operations on all equipment, ropeways and facilities. Ensures completion of any safety checks or bulletins directed from regulatory bodies.
• Ensures adherence to all provincial codes related to swimming pools and public safety.
• Identifies potential risks and develops strategies to manage and mitigate them.
• Prepares posts for the website and social media updates as needed.
• Plans, organizes, and assists with Pass Powderkeg Ski Area and Crowsnest Pass Community Pool capital projects in collaboration with the Manager.
• Provides vacation and leave coverage for the Manager of Pass Powderkeg and Pool at both facilities.
• Attends industry training applicable to the job as approved per budget.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills

• Knowledge of the safe work practices associated with Ski Hill and Pool facilities.
• Ability to problem solve and address operational issues that may arise.
• Ability to mentor and be a collaborative leader to seasonal staff, including the ability to create a fun, safe work environment where they feel supported.
• Ability to handle customer disputes that are escalated to a manager with diplomacy and tact.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral, to allow communication with guests and employees.   
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and within a team environment and to adapt to a demanding and dynamic work environment.
• Ability to interpret, implement, and adhere to organizational policies and procedures.
• Ability to monitor and maintain a preventative maintenance program for the ski area and pool facilities.  
• Ability to post to social media and website as required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, and Excel).

Education and Experience:

• Minimum of High School Diploma.
• Completion of a two-year post-secondary program, ideally in Ski Resort Management or business.
• A minimum of two years of supervisory experience
• Must have two years of ski area operations experience.
• Working knowledge of CSA Z-98 and AEDARSA regulations and codes.
• Pool Operator Level I certification
• Must hold a valid Class 5 Drivers License.

The following qualifications are an asset:

• Ski Resort Operations and Management program or courses.
• Selkirk College Course Lift SROM151 – Surface Ropeway Lifts or equivalent.
• Selkirk College Risk Management course
• Experience with the following Ski Area Departments: snowmaking, grooming, maintenance, patrol, snow school, ski resort rentals, retail, lift operations, food and beverage.
• Experience at a pool, NL or Bronze certifications
• Certification in one or more snow discipline: CSIA, CASI, CADS, CSCF, CPS

Competencies

• Leadership skills: Provides leadership while guiding and supporting staff. Mentors and is a positive role model who has the ability to communicate communicate potential opportunities to departments while empowering individuals, teams and volunteers. Advocates for staff, community and facility in positive manner. Leads through difficult decisions and operational challenges.
• Communication skills: A clear, positive and honest communicator who is able to build trust through presenting ideas clearly while effectively listening and willing to learn from others.  Demonstrates a strong ability to work effectively within a public sector environment and is politically astute.
• People Person:  An integral part of a team with and an outgoing, friendly and consistent style of working co-operatively with others.  The ability to work and lead in a professional manner while also allowing for creativity within the workplace.
• Community minded: Passion for creating and fostering community, especially within the snow sports lens. Passionate about recreation and able to act as a liaison between the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, citizens and other community groups.
• Entrepreneurial: Able to identify, plan and execute business opportunities for Pass Powderkeg Ski Area and Pool.  Able to understand industry and market trends that affect operations or direction and adapt process and products to suit needs.
• Organizational Skills:   Able to simplify often complex administrative and service matters, an ability to separate important issues and prioritize work initiatives.
• Flexible and adaptive: Able to change gears, alter plans and switch directions in ever changing environments.  Able and willing to adapt to changing scenarios, and willing to jump in to help guests and staff.
• Conflict resolution: A consensus builder with ability to connect and engage stakeholders to find suitable outcomes for all involved. Able to develop proactive solutions through the use of interest based negotiations demonstrating strong conflict resolution skills
• Management Skills:  A proven record of being able to motivate, plan, direct and evaluate people and activities of a broad based municipal organization.  The ability to manage effectively while maintaining a friendly approachable attitude in a unionized environment.
• Financial Management:  Leads with a strong sense of service delivery while integrating financial planning, budgeting, and management reporting with a keen sense of building programs and services that are sustainable.

Working Conditions

The work will frequently require the employee to work outdoors in all seasons at a Ski Hill or Pool, in inclement weather conditions.  The employee will be regularly be exposed to cold, hot, wet and/or humid conditions.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 15kgs.