Hut Operations Manager in Canmore, Alberta at The Alpine Club of Canada

About The Alpine Club of Canada

The ACC is a not-for-profit organization established in 1906 that has grown to include 33 backcountry huts and 26 volunteer-run sections across the country. We also organize seasonal programs, such as our annual General Mountaineering Camp, as well as Shadow Lake Lodge and our hostel in Canmore. We have a rich history in Canadian Mountaineering and a dynamic team at the office to manage our diverse portfolios.

The Alpine Club of Canada is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, colour, race, gender, ancestry, ethnic origin, disability, or sexual orientation. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, hr@alpineclubofcanada.ca.

Role: Hut Operations Manager

Reports to: Facilities Director

JOB OVERVIEW

The Hut Operations Manager leads the day-to-day operations of the Alpine Club of Canada’s backcountry hut network, including Shadow Lake Lodge. This role is responsible for delivering a clean, safe, and memorable experience for all hut guests — coordinating paid staff and volunteers, managing supplies and consumables, and ensuring all facilities meet regulatory and operational obligations. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable in an office setting and a remote alpine environment and brings a genuine passion for backcountry recreation and stewardship.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Hut Operations & Compliance

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the ACC backcountry hut network, including Shadow Lake Lodge and its general store.

• Develop, execute, and report on Annual Operating Plans (AOPs) for partner organizations:

◦ BC Parks AOP reports and execution

◦ Schedule B reporting requirements for Parks Canada facilities

◦ Southern AB Section inspection and reporting requirements

• Manage ski week helicopter agreements, staging locations, and staging logistics.

Guest Experience

• Champion an exceptional guest experience across all backcountry hut facilities.

• Build and share guest knowledge of hut etiquette, practices, and facility care.

• Review, disseminate, and act on guest feedback from ambassadors, custodians, and direct hut users, routing issues to appropriate departments for timely resolution.

Facility

• Ensure all hut facilities, trails, and camping areas remain clean, safe, and welcoming.

• Establish and uphold cleanliness and safety standards; proactively identify and mitigate hazards.

• Coordinate regular staff and volunteer visits to maintain standards and address deficiencies.

• Develop, implement and oversee ongoing lifecycle maintenance program to prevent unexpected breakdowns, extend asset service life and exceed guest expectations for facility conditions.

Supplies & Inventory

• Procure and maintain appropriate inventories of hut supplies and consumables.

• Monitor stock levels and coordinate timely, efficient restocking across the hut network.

Communications & Interpretive Content

• Collaborate with Marketing and Reservations to ensure hut information is accurate across all guest-facing channels (reservation system, website, social media, and print).

• Research, develop, and maintain interpretive information packages and signage to enhance the hut experience, covering:

◦ Facility history and First Nations cultural context

◦ Local fauna, flora, and invasive species

◦ Popular alpine objectives and activities accessible from each hut

◦ User etiquette and hut maintenance best practices

• Develop interpretive resources aligned with Parks Canada and BC Parks visitor experience objectives.

Staff Supervision

• Supervise roaming custodians, ensuring onboarding, training, and scheduling requirements are met.

• Supervise Fairy Meadow Staging Staff, ensuring smooth logistics and operations at the staging area.

• Recruit, train, and schedule BC Parks facility custodians.

• Supervise Shadow Lake Lodge custodians.

• Administer the STP System: manage and ensure ongoing compliance of water and wastewater systems at Kokanee Glacier Cabin in accordance with BC environmental legislation and the standard operating plan.

• Ensure custodians complete continuing education units (CEUs) to maintain small wastewater treatment operator certifications.

Volunteer Program

• Recruit, train, and coordinate volunteers for the Hut Ambassador Program and other backcountry hut volunteer opportunities.

• Organize Ambassador and volunteer trips to provide regular, scheduled facility check-ins and housekeeping. Track and report attendance.

• Partner with the Facility Maintenance Manager to recruit volunteers for capital and operational hut service trips, improving overall maintenance efficiency.

• Develop and maintain a strategy for BC Parks trail upkeep and the Fairy Meadow access trail.

Health & Safety

• With support from management and the Joint Health and Safety Committee, ensure the health and safety of all supervised workers by identifying and controlling hazards, providing appropriate training and equipment, and clearly communicating safety rights and responsibilities.

• Develop and maintain protocols enabling volunteers, ambassadors, and custodians to work safely in remote environments.

• Work with the Safety team to maintain and communicate up-to-date Emergency Action Plans for all backcountry facilities.

• Perform duties of direct reports when operationally required.

• Other duties as assigned by the Facilities Director.

• Demonstrated experience managing field operations in a remote or backcountry environment.

• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to juggle competing priorities across multiple sites.

• Demonstrated ability to manage and support staff with limited direct oversight in remote lodge environments

• Working knowledge of environmental compliance requirements for remote facilities.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Proficiency in standard office software; comfort with reservations or asset-management platforms.

• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to remote locations, including by helicopter.

Qualifications: Preferred

• Familiarity with BC Parks and/or Parks Canada reporting frameworks.

• Small wastewater treatment operator certification (or willingness to obtain).

• Experience with volunteer program coordination and community engagement.

• Background in interpretive writing or environmental education.

• Active membership in the alpine or backcountry recreation community.

Working Conditions

This position combines office-based planning and administration with regular travel to remote backcountry facilities, sometimes by helicopter. Some work will occur outside regular business hours, particularly during peak season. Physical fitness sufficient for backcountry travel is an asset.

Perks

· RRSP Matching after 1 year starting at 5% increasing annually up to 9% after 5 years of employment

· 12 Paid sick days

· Extended health, dental, and insurance premiums fully covered by employer

· Discounts on ACC hut and HI hostel stays

· Health spending account

· Paid Vacation

Prior to receiving an offer of employment, the successful candidate will be required to submit copies of all required certifications and documentation, including a. criminal records check. The Alpine Club of Canada wishes to express our appreciation to all applicants for their interest and effort to in applying for this position. However, only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.