Position Summary

This job description is intended to convey information important to the scope of this position and it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

Professional Ski Patrollers help maintain a safe and efficient mountain environment by providing emergency medical response, hazard mitigation, lift evacuation support, avalanche mitigation support, terrain management, and operational assistance throughout the ski area. This position works closely with Patrol leadership, mountain operations departments, and emergency response personnel to support safe mountain operations while providing professional, respectful, and guest-focused service in dynamic outdoor conditions.

Successful employees in this role are dependable, adaptable, and comfortable making sound decisions in high-pressure and rapidly changing environments. This position requires strong situational awareness, teamwork, communication, and the ability to respond effectively to medical incidents, operational needs, weather impacts, and mountain hazards while maintaining professionalism and safety standards. Professional Ski Patrollers are expected to work independently and collaboratively while contributing to a positive, accountable, and safety-focused department culture.

General Responsibilities:

• Participate in general mountain safety response as trained
• Participate in Avalanche and general snow safety mitigation as trained
• Provide professional, friendly, and respectful customer service
• Have a working knowledge of:
• Mt. Baker Ski Area mountain policies and procedures
• Familiarity of ski area facilities and services available
• Perform duties as trained

Qualifications:

• Willingness to learn
• Must be 21 years or older
• Successful completion of Pro Patrol training by an authorized Mt. Baker Ski Area trainer
• EMT, WEMT, WFR, OEC, or equivalent medical certification.
• Expert or professional level skiing skills in a variety of conditions.
• Required Skills and Abilities:
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including timely responses to managers and employees, and communication of personal needs.
• Ability to communicate tasks and system adjustments efficiently and positively to a team.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.

Wage & Hour Information:

• Starting rate begins at $20/hour (DOE) with increases for experience, merit, tenure and future WA State minimum wage adjustments possible.
• This is a seasonal, variable hour position. Hours per week may vary between 5-40+ hours/week. Expected end date for position is April 18, 2027, unless otherwise approved by management.

Important Disclaimer: Employees are expected to act in the best interest of the Mt. Baker Ski Area, even if doing so requires actions or responsibilities not listed in the above job description. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by those assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned which are not considered essential and may not be listed here.

Minimum Requirements:

• Successful completion of a Washington State Criminal History Disclosure and Background Check Authorization form.
• Successful completion of the US Department of Justice Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Employee Possessor Questionnaire 5400.28 and receive and maintain a “cleared” status.
• Must be able to work all operational months on a flexible schedule.

Professional Patrol Requirements:

• Current OEC, or WFR, or WEMT or EMT, Paramedic, or equivalent.
• Current CPR card.
• Proficient skiing skills in a variety of conditions.
• Completion of toboggan training and any refreshers.
• Completion of avalanche rescue training and any refreshers.
• Completion of lift evacuation training and any refreshers.
• Familiarity with on-mountain patroller duties.
• Familiarity with mountain policies.
• Demonstrated ability to use avalanche beacon/ transceiver.
• Completion of SIS rescue training and refreshers.
• Working knowledge of designated run names and landmark names.
• Familiarity with the pro patrol handbook.
• Familiarity with Whatcom County EMS BLS protocols.
• Familiarity with OEC first aid guidelines.
• Rope rescue training.
• Avalanche beacon/ transceiver training and skills test.
• Explosives training and licensing.
• Avalanche control route training.
• Meet all avalanche control team member requirements.
• Lift evacuation special teams training.
• Incapacitated passenger lift evacuation training.
• Maintain ski equipment in good condition and passes ski and binding test
• Bloodborne Pathogens training.

Physical Requirements

• Working in the mountain environment is physically demanding. You need to be in good health and in good physical condition and have the ability to perform the following:
• Ability to work outside in inclement winter weather for extended periods
• Bending, twisting, lifting and moving items throughout the day.
• Ability to lift and move 75 pounds (or more depending on task).
• Standing and or sitting for long periods.
• Climbing and descending stairs.
• Shoveling and moving snow.
• Standing and walking on compact snow and ice.
• Perform repetitive tasks as necessary