Snowmaker​/Hill Maintenance

Description

As a Snowmaker with Durango Parks & Recreation, you will help create the winter experience at Chapman Hill by producing and maintaining high-quality snow for skiing and snowboarding. You’ll operate snow making equipment, monitor weather conditions, and keep systems running safely and efficiently. This outdoor role offers a unique opportunity to work in a dynamic environment—often at night or in the early morning—where you’ll play an important part in bringing winter fun to the community.

The City of Durango is a purpose-driven organization with more than 400 full-time and 300 part-time and seasonal employees across 15 departments, all working together to provide a wide range of services that keep our community running every day. From public safety and utilities to parks and recreation, our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality services that enhance the lives of all who live, work, and visit here.

At the city, we focus on continually improving how we work and serve the community. This effort is called the Trail to Excellence (T2E), and every employee plays a part in it. Whether you work outdoors, in an office, or lead a team, your daily efforts connect to the city’s mission of providing excellent service and reaching the city’s vision of being a multigenerational community that is authentic, diverse, engaged, thriving, and environmentally responsible.

The full details of this vision are outlined in the city’s strategic plan.

As a member of our team, your work will be meaningful because:

• Your ideas help shape citywide improvements.
• The work you do ties directly into measurable goals.
• You’ll be part of a system that values collaboration, innovation, and results.

What You’ll Do in This Role:

• Set up, operate, adjust, and maintain snow making equipment including hoses, hydrants, compressors, pumps, and snow guns.
• Manually move, connect, and disconnect high-pressure hoses and water lines throughout the snow making system.
• Inspect and maintain snow making equipment for leaks, damage, or ice buildup. Perform basic maintenance and/or report to supervisor.
• Monitor weather conditions (temperature, humidity, wind) and adjust snow making operations accordingly to achieve desired snow quality as well as start up and shutdown of snow making operations.
• Regularly shovel, drag, and reposition hoses and guns to ensure proper coverage and efficient snow making.
• Perform physically demanding work including carrying heavy hoses, climbing terrain, and operating valves and nozzles in slippery conditions.
• Maintain safe work areas by clearly marking hoses, electrical cords, other potential hazards and following safety protocols.
• Communicate regularly with the Snow making and Grooming Team as well as supervisor to coordinate production and coverage areas.
• Maintain accurate records of snow making operations and weather data.
• Perform other duties as assigned related to hill maintenance, facility preparation, or winter operations.

• A high school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Experience in snow making, outdoor maintenance, or parks operations (preferred).
• Possession of or the ability to obtain a valid driver’s license.

• Enjoy hands-on, outdoor work and can stay focused and reliable through cold, wet, and changing conditions.
• Work well both independently and as part of a small team, following safety procedures and communicating clearly.
• Bring a strong work ethic, practical mechanical skills, and flexibility for nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Free pass to the Durango Community Recreation Center and Chapman Hill Ice Rink and Ski Area
• Free Transit pass
• Eligibility to participate in the City’s Annual Wellness Challenge and a chance to receive prizes and cash rewards

To view the full job description,  .

We believe in creating an inclusive workforce that welcomes diversity of thoughts, viewpoints, and experiences. The City of Durango is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis age 40 and over, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other applicable status protected by state or local law.

It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors.