SUMMARY: The Lift Maintenance Manager / Assistant Mountain Manager is a working manager responsible for the safe operation, inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and overall reliability of all aerial and surface lift systems in accordance with company policies, manufacturer specifications, ANSI standards, and applicable state and federal regulations. This position leads the Lift Maintenance team while actively performing preventative, routine, and emergency maintenance on mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical lift systems, including 480V three-phase systems, low-voltage safety circuits, and relay logic controls. As Assistant Mountain Manager, this position also supports the daily coordination of Mountain Operations, assists with operational planning and incident response, and serves as the designated mountain leader when assigned. The position supports daily lift operations, seasonal maintenance projects, snowmaking systems, slope infrastructure, and resort-wide operational needs while maintaining a strong commitment to safety, employee development, guest service, and operational reliability.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
LIFT MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT:
- Lead by example in maintaining a safe work environment and following all company safety policies and procedures.
- Supervise, schedule, train, evaluate, and develop Lift Maintenance employees while establishing clear expectations for safety, quality, productivity, and professional conduct.
- Develop daily, seasonal, and long-term maintenance priorities; assign work; monitor progress; and ensure projects and required inspections are completed within established timelines.
- Perform and direct routine, preventative, and emergency maintenance on all lift equipment, including conveyors, fixed-grip lifts, and high-speed detachable lifts.
- Inspect, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair lift machinery, braking systems, hydraulic systems, gearboxes, diesel and gasoline engines, electrical systems, and low-voltage safety circuits.
- Maintain and troubleshoot 480V three-phase electrical systems, relay logic systems, motor controls, AC/DC drives, and associated lift controls.
- Read and interpret wiring diagrams, electrical schematics, technical manuals, manufacturer requirements, and maintenance documentation.
- Ensure daily, weekly, monthly, annual, and seasonal lift inspections are completed in accordance with company, manufacturer, and regulatory standards.
- Check lift drive systems to ensure gearboxes, brakes, tensioning systems, and related mechanical components are operating properly and safely.
- Coordinate and perform rope grip preparation, repairs, inspections, and required work associated with Non-Destructive Testing (NDT).
- Perform line inspections and tower work, including work at heights and in adverse weather conditions.
- Lead the response to lift stoppages and operational issues, including troubleshooting, repair coordination, documentation, and communication with affected departments.
- Monitor lift operations during operating hours and coordinate closely with Lift Operations staff to support safe and reliable service.
- Assist with training and transportation of Lift Attendants and Lift Operators.
- Maintain detailed and accurate maintenance logs, inspection reports, electronic work orders, repair documentation, equipment histories, and regulatory records.
- Coordinate work with lift manufacturers, engineers, inspectors, vendors, contractors, and other outside service providers.
- Manage critical spare parts, tools, lubricants, consumables, and maintenance inventories to support reliable operations and emergency repairs.
- Assist with Lift Maintenance operating budgets, capital planning, purchasing, equipment replacement recommendations, and long-range maintenance planning.
- Maintain slope lighting systems and assist with snowmaking systems and related electrical and mechanical equipment.
- Troubleshoot electrical and mechanical snowmaking equipment and infrastructure.
- Operate heavy equipment and assist with construction and maintenance projects as assigned.
- Perform maintenance and repairs to lift buildings, ramps, fences, corrals, and related infrastructure.
- Assist guests in a courteous, professional, and responsible manner.
- Ensure proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), fall protection, lockout/tagout procedures, and safe work practices at all times.
ASSISTANT MOUNTAIN MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assist the Director of Operations and Mountain Manager with the daily leadership, planning, and coordination of Mountain Operations.
- Participate in daily mountain operations meetings and help establish operating priorities based on weather, snow conditions, staffing, equipment availability, guest volume, and business needs.
- Coordinate work and communication among Lift Operations, Lift Maintenance, Snowmaking, Grooming, Ski Patrol, Terrain Parks, Transportation, Vehicle Maintenance, and other operational departments as assigned.
- Serve as the designated mountain leader when assigned and assume mountain operational responsibilities when the Director of Operations or Mountain Manager is unavailable.
- Assist with opening, delayed-opening, closure, and reopening decisions involving lifts, trails, facilities, roads, and other mountain operations, and communicate changes to affected departments.
- Provide operational leadership during severe weather, power outages, equipment failures, medical emergencies, evacuations, special events, and other significant incidents.
- Work collaboratively with Ski Patrol, Safety, and Risk Management to identify hazards, coordinate corrective actions, and support emergency-response readiness.
- Support winter and summer operational planning, staffing, scheduling, interdepartmental communication, and the coordination of special events and high-volume periods.
- Assist with capital projects, construction activities, and major maintenance work by coordinating access, closures, equipment movement, contractors, and operational impacts.
- Support employee training, accountability, performance management, and leadership development across assigned Mountain Operations departments.
- Participate in incident reviews, root-cause evaluations, and the development and implementation of corrective actions.
- Assist with the development, review, communication, and enforcement of Mountain Operations policies, procedures, emergency plans, and operating standards.
- Maintain clear and timely communication with resort leadership and affected departments during routine operations and operational disruptions.
- Promote teamwork, professionalism, guest service, and continuous improvement throughout Mountain Operations.
- Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned by management.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible lift maintenance, mechanical, electrical, industrial maintenance, or related experience required.
- Direct experience maintaining ski lift systems, including fixed-grip, detachable, surface lift, or conveyor systems, required.
- Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory, lead, or management experience preferred.
- Strong mechanical aptitude with experience troubleshooting electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical systems.
- Working knowledge of 480V three-phase electrical systems, low-voltage safety systems, relay logic, motor controls, and hydraulic systems preferred.
- Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, maintenance manuals, manufacturer specifications, and technical documentation.
- Experience with diesel engines, gasoline engines, rigging, braking systems, wire-rope systems, and industrial maintenance practices preferred.
- PLC knowledge and troubleshooting experience preferred.
- Experience developing maintenance plans, managing work orders, maintaining regulatory documentation, and coordinating inspections preferred.
- Experience with departmental budgets, purchasing, inventory management, capital projects, vendors, and contractors preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to lead employees, establish expectations, provide training and feedback, and hold team members accountable.
- Ability to coordinate multiple departments and operational priorities in a fast-paced mountain resort environment.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team while maintaining effective communication with senior leadership and other departments.
- Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, judgment, and commitment to safety.
- Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions under pressure during lift stoppages, severe weather, emergency situations, and operational disruptions.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Must be willing to work flexible schedules including early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, on-call periods, and extended hours during peak operations.
- Competent skiing or snowboarding ability preferred but not required.
Education, Training and Experience Guidelines:
High school diploma or GED required; technical school, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.
LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT(S):
- Valid Virginia Driver’s License required or ability to obtain a Virginia Driver's License.
- Must be willing to complete and maintain applicable lift/tramway training and certifications.
- Fall protection, aerial lift, or related safety certifications preferred.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
- Must be able to perform strenuous physical labor in indoor and outdoor environments.
- Must be able to regularly lift and carry up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift up to 100 pounds with assistance.
- Must be comfortable working at heights exceeding 50 feet in varying weather conditions.
- Must be able to climb lift towers, ladders, and uneven terrain while using proper fall protection equipment.
- Must be able to work outdoors in extreme winter weather conditions including snow, ice, rain, wind, heat, and cold temperatures.
- Must be able to stand, walk, climb, kneel, crouch, stoop, crawl, reach, and work in confined or awkward positions for extended periods.
- Must be able to tolerate exposure to loud mechanical environments, moving equipment, vibration, grease, and industrial cleaning products.
- Must be able to work long and irregular hours during peak operational periods, including 12-hour shifts and extended work weeks when necessary.
- Must be able to safely travel to remote mountain locations using lifts, snowmobiles, skis, snowboards, or other resort equipment as conditions require.
BENEFITS OF WORKING AT WINTERGREEN:
Wintergreen Resort is a place for mountain lovers, adventure seekers and outdoor explorers. A place to chase new experiences, marvel at the unexpected, and build new relationships that will keep you coming back for more. We work to play! We work in a fun-filled, beautiful resort setting and have a competitive compensation with a comprehensive benefit portfolio for full-time year-round associates: (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short and Long Term Disability Insurances as well as Paid Time Off and a 401K plan). Our unique Recreational Benefit Package offers associates free and/or discounted resort activities, services and products.
We have many fantastic opportunities available from our spectacular, sweeping mountain slopes to our beautiful valley and lake. If this position isn’t quite what you are looking for, please visit our career page for even more open positions: Wintergreen Resort: Premier Blue Ridge Mountain Ski, Golf, Tennis, Spa and Family Vacation Resort in Virginia.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this position; employees may be assigned other duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer.
