Description:

To provide for and ensure a reasonably safe skiing environment. To provide on mountain first aid assistance and evacuation, skier safety, search and rescue support, trail work, lift evacuation, equipment maintenance, and other assigned duties. Each task requires a high level of decision making.

The Avalanche Forecaster is responsible for the administration of the avalanche risk management program. This includes but is not limited to:

• Providing supervision and direction for all workers and guests in and around avalanche terrain.
• Provide a daily avalanche hazard assessment and forecast.
• Oversee avalanche control program resort wide.
• Ensure that avalanche risk within all open terrain is within operational thresholds (the operational risk band) and that terrain with elevated risk is closed to the public.
• Provide training and mentorship to employees.
• Provide information to guests and public with respect to avalanche risk management.
• Ensure accurate and timely weather observations are being recorded.
• Ensure that adequate snowpack observations are being recorded.
• Periodically review and update the panorama emergency response plan as it relates to avalanche involvements.
• Investigate any near misses or incidents involving guests or staff and report to the program manager.
• Ensure that information regarding closures and terrain restrictions is communicated to all relevant staff and/or public.
• Ensure that accurate data is being recorded locally and reported on InfoEx.
• Ensure that accurate weather data is conveyed to media and other departments.
• Oversee/direct/participate in any rescue or search operations being conducted in avalanche terrain.
• Ensure records are kept for daily meetings, near misses, incidents, training, blasting, explosives inventory, etc.
• Assist the manager with Avalanche Safety Plan revisions, business, and budget planning.

Job Tasks:

• Gather snowpack observations.
• Take daily weather observations.
• Lead avalanche control teams
• Twice daily meetings where avalanche forecast, and assessment are produced.

Additional Responsibilities and Requirements: (When main job responsibilities and tasks have been fulfilled)

• Provide first aid to injured workers or guests.
• Oversee the operations of any rope rescue operations on site.
• Assist with dispatch and other patrol related duties.
• Assist with other departments as required.
• Able to listen carefully.
• Able to communicate clearly while speaking and writing.
• Advanced to Expert skier
• Ability to travers difficult mountain terrain & travel
• Education, Certifications and Memberships:
• CAA Operations Level 2
• CAA Professional Member
• Current WorkSafeBC Blasting Certification (Hand Charging with Safety Fuse; Helicopter)
• NUEC Level 3 First Aid with advanced protocols
• High School Diploma or equivalent (College/University Degree preferred)

Experience:

• Extensive avalanche control experience
• Experience working with ski patrol.
• Backcountry ski experience
• Computer experience including MS Office (CAA InfoEx platform and Snowpro+ an asset)
• Current CAA standards outlined in the Operational Recording guidelines and Standards for Avalanche Professionals (OGRS).
• Current with applicable WorkSafeBC regulations
• Current with Explosives Act
• Must have strong english communication skills.

Attitude:

• Positive attitude
• Team player
• Safety oriented mindset