Job Description

Compensation Amount:

67,500.00 USD AnnualThe Mountain Patrol Manager provides overall leadership, operational oversight, and strategic direction for the Mountain Patrol Department. This position is responsible for guest and employee safety, emergency medical response, lift evacuation preparedness, mountain risk management and regulatory compliance, and patrol team development.

This role oversees all aspects of mountain patrol operations and partners closely with Mountain Operations, other departments, and resort leadership to ensure safe, efficient, and guest-focused mountain operations.

The Mountain Patrol Manager fosters a safety culture grounded in professionalism, accountability, operational readiness, safety leadership, and exceptional guest service.

Essential Functions

• Provides overall leadership, supervision, mentoring, and performance management for Mountain Patrol staff, Supervisors, and Volunteers, fostering a strong safety culture focused on accountability, professionalism, and teamwork.
• Collaborates close with the Mountain Patrol Supervisor on hiring, onboarding, employee development, scheduling, performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions, maintaining clear supervisory alignment.
• Leads departmental meetings, operational briefings, training sessions, and incident reviews, and establishes clear operational standards and SOPs aligned with company policies and industry best practices.
• Directs and supports Mountain Patrol Volunteer programs in coordination with the Mountain Patrol Supervisor.
• Directs and oversees all on-mountain emergency medical response, rescue operations, lift evacuations and major incident management.
• Maintains coordination and response protocols with local EMS, sheriff, fire, search and rescue, and other emergency agencies.
• Ensures accurate incident reporting, investigation, documentation, and appropriate follow-up actions.
• Directs daily mountain safety operations, including terrain openings and closures, hazard mitigation and weather-related operational decisions.
• Monitors snow, terrain, and weather conditions to ensure safe guest operations and effective staffing coverage.
• Collaborates with Mountain Operations leadership on lift operations, grooming, snowmaking, terrain management, special events, races, and peak operational periods.
• Participates in mountain operations leadership meetings and property-wide planning initiatives.
• Develops, administers, and oversees Mountain patrol training programs, including medical readiness, toboggan handling, lift evacuation, rope rescue, incident command, and risk-management practices.
• Ensures departmental compliance with National Ski Patrol standards, OSHA requirements, state and federal regulations, and company safety policies.
• Maintain required operational certifications, training records, and compliance documentation.
• Develops and manages departmental operating and capital budgets, including equipment procurement, inventory control, maintenance, and replacement planning.
• Serves as the primary authority responsible for payroll review and approval, labor controls, and staffing oversight.
• Oversees scheduling processes in collaboration with the Mountain Patrol Supervisor to ensure adequate coverage and operational efficiency.
• Maintain departmental reporting, operational analytics, and administrative records.
• Promotes exceptional guest service and professional mountain presence across all patrol operations.
• Handles guest incidents and complex situations professionally and effectively.
• Serves as the Mountain Patrol representative in property leadership discussions and external agency coordination, supporting overall resort service standards.
• Undertakes additional operational responsibilities as assigned to support department needs.

Skill and Knowledge Requirements

• High School Diploma/G.E.D. required.
• Extensive mountain patrol leadership experience at a four-season resort, including supervisory and departmental oversight responsibilities required.
• Current Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) certification or higher; CPR/AED certification required.
• NSP Senior, Certified, Instructor status, or equivalent patrol credential preferred.
• EMT or higher medical certification preferred.
• Advances skiing or snowboarding ability in all terrain, snow, and weather conditions; ability to mountain bike at an intermediate level.
• Strong working knowledge of mountain safety operations, lift evacuation procedures, rescue systems and technical evaluations, incident command and management, and risk management and hazard mitigation.
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, mentoring, and team-development skills.
• Ability to make sound, timely operational decisions under pressure and during emergency situations.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple operational, administrative, and personnel priorities.
• Proficiency with standard computer applications, reporting systems, and payroll review processes.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to clearly relay information via radio, reports, and in-person interactions.
• Demonstrated ability to interact professionally with guests, volunteers, staff, and other departments in both individual and group settings.
• Incident Command System (ICS) familiarity preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to ski or snowboard daily on advanced terrain in variable and adverse weather conditions.
• Ability to mountain bike on uneven terrain in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to perform physically demanding rescue and emergency response activities, including patient care and evacuations.
• Regularly lift, carry, push, pull up to 25 lbs.; frequently up to 30-35 lbs.; and occasionally up to 250+ lbs. with assistance.
• Frequent movement throughout the mountain environment on skis, snowboard, bike, foot, snowmobile, or ATV/UTV.
• Ability to bend, reach, kneel, climb, and work in a continuously changing outdoor environment.
• Ability to safely operate snowmobiles and/or ATVs/UTVs on difficult and uneven terrain in accordance with established procedures.
• Ability to withstand prolonged exposure to extreme cold, wet, windy, and hot weather conditions.
• Ability to stand or remain on duty for extended periods of time.
• Visual acuity sufficient for close, distant, peripheral, and depth perception; ability to adjust focus as needed.
• Clear speech and hearing are sufficient to communicate effectively with guests, coworkers, and emergency personnel via radio and in person.
• Ability to work varying shifts, including weekends, holidays, extended hours, and peak operational periods.
• Physical presence at the job site is essential to provide duties.

Equipment Used

• Ski/snowboard equipment.
• Mountain Bicycle equipment
• Snowmobiles, UTV/ATV
• Wheeled rescue litter, snow toboggan
• Handheld power tools
• Computer, Two Way Radios

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Mountain Patrol Manager to lead out Mountain Patrol Department and play a critical role in delivering a safe, high-quality mountain experience. This position provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and hands-on direction for all patrol functions, ensuring the highest standards of safety, professionalism, and guest service.

This is a $65,000 - $70,000 salaried position commensurate with experience.

What We’re Looking For:

• A proven mountain leader who brings strong operational judgement, accountability, and a commitment to safety excellence.
• A confident decision-maker who thrives in high-pressure environments and can lead effectively during emergencies.
• A collaborative team builder who develops people, builds trust, and fosters a positive, professional culture.
• A skilled communicator who can coordinate across departments and with external agencies while delivering exceptional guest services.
• A hands-on leader with technical knowledge of patrol operations, risk management, and mountain safety best practices.

Why Work at Giants Ridge?

• Comprehensive Health Coverage – Stay covered with medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, plus access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for additional support. We also offer HSAs, FSAs and more to help you manage healthcare costs.
• Retirement Savings – Play for your future with our 401(k) retirement plan, featuring a company match to help you build financial security.
• Paid Time Off – Take time to rest, relax and recharge with generous PTO.
• Mountain Perks – Enjoy free employee passes and discounts for your family so you can hit the slopes and trails all season long!
• Exclusive Golf Privileges – Hit the greens with complimentary golfing at our two championship golf courses.
• Exclusive Discounts – Save on delicious food, stylish apparel and must-have accessories while working at Giants Ridge.
• Work with Friends – Join a fun, supportive team where every day feels like an adventure.
• Flexible Scheduling – We offer flexible schedules to fit your lifestyle, but some evening, weekend and holiday shifts are required to keep up with the excitement at Giants Ridge.
• And More! – Additional perks and surprises that make Giants Ridge a great place to work!

Giants Ridge is the #1-rated family vacation destination in Minnesota. Located just north of Duluth in the heart of Minnesota’s Superior National Forest, Giants Ridge is a four-season family-oriented resort offering fun and adventure for every level of outdoor enthusiast. Summer is filled with world-class golf, plus mountain biking, water recreation and more. Winter brings incredible skiing, snowboarding, fat tire biking and endless miles of snowmobile trails to explore, plus dining, shopping and much more. Spring and fall seasons are the perfect transitions to the next season of outdoor adventure.

Founded in 1917, Guest Services has worked tirelessly to earn the reputation as the premier hospitality management company and National Park Service concessionaire in the United States. Guest Services takes great care and pride in providing best-in-class services across a wide variety of client sites including luxury communities, hotels, resorts, government and business dining facilities, full-service restaurants, state and national parks, outdoor recreation, boathouses, marinas, museums, conference centers, senior living communities, health care systems, school and university dining facilities, and specialty retail stores.

Guest Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and promotion without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION: We embrace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the richness it brings to our company. Our commitment is to provide an inclusive workplace where individuals can bring their whole selves to work, enabling them to provide the best level of service to our diverse customer base.