Assistant Manager: Mountain Safety - Hourly

Vail Resorts • Park City, UT

10d • $25 - $35 • Onsite

About The Position

The Mountain Safety Assistant Manager - Hourly, plays a pivotal leadership role in maintaining the highest standards of guest and employee safety on the mountain. This position is responsible for guiding the Mountain Safety Team through daily operations, fostering a proactive safety culture, and ensuring consistent alignment with Vail Leadership Competencies and Vail Resorts Values. This leader is expected to demonstrate exceptional judgment, advanced communication skills, and a strong presence on the mountain actively overseeing safety initiatives, enforcing resort policies, and enriching the guest experience. This role requires both operational expertise and strategic leadership to drive continuous improvement, team cohesion, and an elevated safety environment across the resort.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college degree or relevant coursework preferred.
• Minimum 2-3 years of ski resort, mountain operations, ski patrol, mountain safety, or related leadership experience preferred.
• Previous supervisory, team lead, or leadership experience preferred.
• Expert skiing or snowboarding ability with the capability to safely navigate all open terrain and variable snow conditions while performing job duties.
• Ability to pass a Mountain Safety leadership ski or snowboard assessment.
• Strong knowledge of the Skier Responsibility Code, mountain safety practices, and resort operations.
• Excellent leadership, communication, coaching, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to make sound decisions in dynamic, fast-paced, and high-pressure environments.
• Experience providing performance feedback, coaching employees, and addressing performance or conduct concerns.
• Ability to effectively train, mentor, and develop employees.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and adapt to changing operational needs.
• Comfortable using computers and Microsoft Office applications; ability to learn department-specific software such as Guest Connect and scheduling systems.
• Ability to communicate professionally and fluently in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, early mornings, evenings, and extended shifts as operational needs require.
• Must be able to work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions, including snow, wind, cold temperatures, and high altitude.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and perform physically demanding tasks, including skiing/riding, hiking, shoveling snow, installing signage, and traversing steep, uneven terrain
• Must meet all employment requirements, including successful completion of any required background screening.

Nice To Haves

• college degree or relevant coursework preferred.
• Minimum 2-3 years of ski resort, mountain operations, ski patrol, mountain safety, or related leadership experience preferred.
• Previous supervisory, team lead, or leadership experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead with the Vail Leadership Competencies Re Imagine, Out Front, Drive, Develop, Connect, Passion while exemplifying all Vail Resorts Values: Serve Others, Do Right, Drive Value, Do Good, Be Safe, Have Fun, Be Inclusive.
• Foster a unified, collaborative patrol culture by supporting and promoting new procedures and organizational changes, articulating the purpose behind them, and guiding the team through transitions with clarity and empathy.
• Create an environment where positive behaviors are recognized and celebrated through formal and informal methods, reinforcing alignment with company values and operational excellence.
• Intervene promptly and appropriately to address behavior that does not reflect respect, professionalism, or inclusivity.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with cross departmental leaders to enhance employee engagement and ensure smooth operational coordination.
• Conduct interviews and participate in the hiring and selection of Mountain Safety Team applicants, ensuring candidates reflect the values, professionalism, and skill sets required for success.
• Determine appropriate staffing levels daily and weekly based on operational needs weather patterns, guest volume, and terrain openings and creating a schedule based on those factors.
• Lead onboarding and ongoing training for new and returning team members, ensuring comprehension of safety protocols, guest service standards, and patrol expectations.
• Provide direct supervision to Mountain Safety staff, delivering clear expectations, ongoing coaching, and timely performance feedback.
• Hold team members accountable to the Employee Manual, Mountain Safety Patrol Manual, and current Bargaining Agreement, administering corrective or disciplinary action when necessary.
• Conduct comprehensive, timely performance evaluations using a multi-source feedback model, incorporating insights from the Patrol Leadership Team and operational data.
• Maintain a strong physical presence on the mountain, ensuring the highest levels of guest and employee safety while skiing/riding or staffing fixed locations often in variable terrain, challenging weather, and high-altitude conditions.
• Oversee and coordinate the daily deployment of MS patrollers to ensure effective coverage of key zones, slow areas, and high traffic corridors.
• Enforce the Skier Responsibility Code and resort policies through both educational interactions, required safety class/quiz and, when needed, revocation of lift access for unsafe behavior.
• Read, apply and maintain all team reporting of guest interactions/warnings/suspensions in Guest Connect program
• Actively monitor terrain for hazards; perform hazard mitigation including rope placement, signage installation, snow packing/shoveling, and reporting of maintenance concerns.
• Lead and contribute to small operational projects and safety initiatives that improve departmental performance and the guest experience.
• Prepare and present safety messaging for morning meetings and other forums, reinforcing a proactive safety culture and communicating operational updates.
• Provide exceptional conflict resolution and guest-facing service, including calmly mediating issues, offering guidance, and delivering accurate information about terrain, mountain operations, and resort/town resources.
• Respond to guest inquiries via email and in person communication, ensuring timely, professional, and informative responses.
• Maintain a high level of situational awareness to support both guest enjoyment and compliance with safety protocols.
• Serve as a role model for professional, respectful, and service-oriented behavior under all conditions.

Benefits

• Ski/Mountain Perks! Free passes for employees, employee discounted lift tickets for friends and family AND free ski lessons
• MORE employee discounts on lodging, food, gear, and mountain shuttles
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Excellent training and professional development
• Referral Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED