Snowmaking Pumphouse Operator III

MOUNTAIN CAPITAL PARTNERS • Durango, CO

4d • $25 - $27 • Onsite

About The Position

The Pumphouse Operator III is an advanced technical position responsible for the safe, reliable, and independent operation of Purgatory Resort’s snowmaking pumphouse, booster system, and associated water and compressed-air systems. The operator runs, monitors, and optimizes pumps, compressors, VFDs, cooling systems, controls, automation, snowmaking additive treatment systems, and related equipment in response to changing snowmaking demand and field conditions. The role includes independently starting up, operating, adjusting, and shutting down systems; interpreting system performance; troubleshooting complex conditions; and coordinating with Snowmaking Crew Leads and field crews. Operators are expected to identify developing problems, stabilize operations, perform authorized advanced troubleshooting, and escalate issues when needed. They also serve as advanced technical resources, assist with equipment diagnosis and repair, and train and mentor less-experienced operators while following established procedures, equipment protections, and department standards.

This is a seasonal position. Employment dates may vary based on weather, snowmaking needs, applicant availability, and business needs. The role is based at Purgatory Resort in Durango, Colorado, and offers a free season pass for the employee and dependents. Work is primarily indoors in the pumphouse, booster facility, and associated equipment areas, with occasional outdoor work in mountainous terrain and winter weather. The position involves industrial operating conditions, including noise, vibration, heat, cold, moisture, chemicals, high-pressure systems, electrical equipment, and rotating machinery. Employees must be available for nights, weekends, holidays, extended shifts, and variable schedules as snowmaking operations require.

Requirements

• Advanced technical knowledge of snowmaking systems, pumphouse and booster operations, pumps, compressors, controls, and pressurized water and compressed-air systems.
• Advanced understanding of water distribution, equipment sequencing, operating pressures, flow requirements, system limitations, VFDs, cooling systems, mechanical equipment, controls, automation, and associated infrastructure.
• Knowledge of snowmaking additive handling, mixing, treatment-system operation, dosage adjustment, usage tracking, documentation, and troubleshooting.
• Ability to independently operate, monitor, and optimize systems while managing pressure, flow, equipment loading, operating capacity, and changing production demands.
• Ability to interpret readings, alarms, trends, and performance data, identify developing problems, evaluate conditions, and make appropriate operational adjustments.
• Advanced mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting ability for complex mechanical, electrical, control, and operational problems; must implement corrective actions within established authorization.
• Ability to independently perform startup, shutdown, sequencing, and advanced adjustments while maintaining safe conditions and protecting equipment.
• Working knowledge of inspections, preventive maintenance, mechanical repairs, testing, and diagnostic procedures for pumphouse and snowmaking infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of operating procedures, equipment limitations, lockout/tagout, emergency response procedures, and applicable safety standards.
• Sound independent judgment and ability to respond to abnormal or emergency conditions, prioritize concerns, and recognize when escalation is necessary.
• Strong communication and coordination skills for conveying technical concerns, system conditions, and operational changes to field crews and Snowmaking leadership.
• Ability to maintain accurate operating logs, readings, inspection records, treatment documentation, and shift reports.
• Ability to train and mentor less-experienced operators and reinforce safe, consistent operating practices.
• Strong situational awareness, attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and ability to remain focused while independently monitoring multiple systems during extended or overnight shifts.
• Dependability, initiative, adaptability, and commitment to equipment reliability, operational efficiency, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Previous experience independently operating snowmaking pumphouse and booster systems is required.
• Advanced proficiency operating, monitoring, and optimizing pumps, compressors, controls, automation, and associated water and compressed-air systems during active snowmaking operations is required.
• Experience with system startup and shutdown, changing production demands, advanced equipment adjustments, and independent diagnosis and troubleshooting of complex equipment or system problems is required.
• Valid driver’s license.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Completion of required Purgatory Resort pumphouse training and demonstrated advanced competency in system operation, troubleshooting, safety procedures, and emergency response.

Nice To Haves

• Technical education or training in mechanical systems, electrical systems, industrial maintenance, equipment controls, or a related field.
• Experience assisting with equipment maintenance, repairs, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Experience training or mentoring less-experienced operators.

Responsibilities

• Independently operate, monitor, and optimize pumphouse and booster equipment, including pumps, compressors, VFDs, cooling systems, controls, and automation.
• Perform system startup, operation, shutdown, equipment sequencing, advanced operational adjustments, and equipment-securing procedures.
• Monitor and interpret system pressure, flow, temperatures, alarms, equipment status, trends, and other performance conditions.
• Adjust operations in response to changing snowmaking demand, field conditions, equipment availability, and production priorities while maintaining equipment protections and system stability.
• Manage snowmaking additive treatment, including mixing, handling, system operation, dosage adjustments, product tracking, troubleshooting, and documentation.
• Communicate system status, equipment changes, operational conditions, and production needs to Snowmaking Crew Leads, field crews, and other personnel.
• Coordinate startup, shutdown, equipment sequencing, and significant operational changes with field personnel.
• Recognize, evaluate, and respond to alarms, abnormal readings, equipment failures, pressure or flow fluctuations, power loss, communication failures, and other operational conditions.
• Independently diagnose and troubleshoot authorized pumphouse, booster, compressor, mechanical, electrical, control, automation, and system operating issues.
• Identify developing problems, evaluate likely causes and impacts, and take corrective action to stabilize operations and protect equipment.
• Inspect pumphouse, booster, compressor, cooling, control, and related equipment for deficiencies, abnormal conditions, developing failures, and maintenance needs.
• Assist with advanced troubleshooting, diagnosis, maintenance, testing, and repair of pumps, compressors, valves, cooling systems, controls, automation, and snowmaking infrastructure.
• Track active snowmaking terrain, system demand, equipment availability, capacity, production priorities, and potential operational limitations or conflicts.
• Complete and review operating logs, equipment readings, inspection records, treatment records, shift documentation, and other department records.
• Train, mentor, and provide technical guidance to Pumphouse Operator I and II employees.
• Provide advanced technical support during complex troubleshooting, abnormal conditions, equipment failures, and other significant operational challenges.
• Communicate equipment deficiencies, maintenance priorities, recurring problems, recommended actions, and outstanding concerns during shift changes and to Snowmaking leadership.
• Follow department procedures, lockout/tagout requirements, PPE standards, emergency procedures, equipment limitations, and other applicable safety requirements.
• Assist with preseason system preparation, inspections, testing, and operational readiness, and with postseason shutdown, winterization, inspection, cleaning, and organization.
• Support preventive and corrective maintenance, repairs, testing, equipment installations, replacements, upgrades, system modifications, and automation improvements as assigned and authorized.
• Help identify recurring problems and opportunities to improve reliability, efficiency, and equipment protection.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe pumphouse, booster, compressor, control, treatment, and equipment areas; help manage tools, parts, supplies, chemicals, and maintenance materials.
• Participate in department training, safety meetings, emergency exercises, and equipment-specific training; assist with improving operating procedures, documentation, training materials, and operator qualifications.
• Support snowmaking operations, maintenance activities outside the pumphouse, other Mountain Operations projects, and other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Free season pass for the employee and dependents.
• Additional benefits are referenced on the Purgatory employee benefits page, but are not specified in the posting.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED