Employment

2013 Season

**ARE YOU A HANDS ON PERSON?** We are currently seeking a General Hand for 2013 - see below.

General Hand

This is a permanent part time position, 3 or 4 days a week (typically Thursdays through Sundays). You will be responsible for using Club machinery, which may include snow clearance duties in conjunction with the club’s contracted road clearance contractor. This may involve the use of heavy machinery (grader/bulldozer) and other machinery and often involve maintenance and repair duties. Some groomer work may be required. A heavy trade licence is essential. Maintenance of equipment essential to mountain operations, including tows, is an important facet of this position, part of which requires welding skills/experience. You will also be responsible for food supply and rubbish removal (to and from Rangiora), and other general maintenance work around the field (including the Tindall Tramway, and the Club groomer). From time to time you will also be required to assist with manual tasks such as cleaning and snow shovelling. A customer service focus is essential.

Broken River Staff

The Broken River winter team is a small and committed group of highly qualified individuals, working together with a Club full of members who are passionate about Broken River and the great opportunities and atmosphere it offers.

A full description of Broken River's facilities and what it offers to skiers and snowboarders can be found on this website.

The essential attributes of any applicant will be:

A general description of staff positions is provided below. These are subject to change, and to accommodate the different skills the team we employ must possess, flexibility is a pre- requisite for all applicants.

Broken River pays competitive rates and accommodation is provided. However, more than this, working at Broken River provides a lifestyle, experiences and the opportunity to make friends you will never forget in a stunning mountain environment, with challenging and exciting on and off piste skiing and backcountry opportunities.

If this sounds like you, and you are able to commit to working at Broken River for the full season (including a pre-season induction/training period in late June), contact us at the addresses at the bottom of this page. All applicants will need to be available for an interview, and references must be supplied with all applications.

Staff Positions

Mountain Manager (filled for 2013)

The Mountain Manager has overall "on mountain" responsibility for the operations of Broken River. He or she will have proven ability and significant experience in ski area management, risk management, personnel management, and will work closely with Broken River Ski Club management.

Snow Safety/Field Operations/Ski Patrol (Seeking a patroller for 2013)

For these positions you will have professional ski patrol/snow safety qualifications and professional experience (4 years + preferred). Medical certifications should include PHEC (EMT). Avalanche safety qualifications should include Stage 2 NZ (Level 2 CAA or US level 3), professional membership to an avalanche safety organization (MSC, CAA, AAA), and a current snow blasting certificate. Additional avalanche forecasting credentials are desirable (winter weather forecasting, backcountry forecasting, avo education, etc.). For field operations, you will be capable of operating Broken River's lifts (electrically-driven "nut-cracker" style rope tows) and capable of general maintenance of the tows and on field lodges.

 

Ski Instructor (filled for 2013)

Broken River is renowned for the quality of its ski instruction which is second to none, and a vital element of the Broken River experience. You will possess an international ski instruction qualification (e.g. NZSIA Level 2, CSIA Level 3, PSIA 3, or above). You will be responsible for organising group and individual lessons for resident guests and day visitors together with weekend instruction and clinics, as required. Snowboarding and/or telemarking instruction skills would be a bonus.

 

Administration Supervisor (filled for 2013)

In this role, you will be responsible for sales in the ticket office, cash handling and daily reconciliations, the operation of the on field canteen in Palmer Lodge, and liaison with the Club Treasurer. You will be capable of operating the Club's MYOB accounting system and software, and in charge of taking bookings for ski packages and dealing with information requests from visitors, guests and the public. You will, along with others, have responsibility for the running of the Tyndall Tramway.

This is a key position, requiring excellent administrative and public relations skills, and the ability to work under pressure.

 

Chef/Lodge Assistant (filled for 2013)

An experienced chef is required to run the Club's on field accommodation. 

As the lead chef at Broken River, you will oversee the smooth operation of all accommodation offered on the mountain. You will be responsible for providing breakfast and dinner for up to 70 guests plus staff in a timely manner, as well as ensuring that cleaning duties for both lodges are fulfilled to a high standard. You will create and allocate costings for weekly menu plans, ensuring that food is ordered, rationed and stored appropriately and that hearty, delicious food is prepared to high standards of nutrition. You will work in with other key staff in rostering and carrying out cleaning duties on a daily basis.

Requirements

Formal qualifications as a caterer or chef, and/or evidence of substantial experience in a similar position are necessary, along with the ability to plan for, cost for and provide good, hearty meals to large groups of people on time and on budget

You will be playing host to up to 70 people who often look to the kitchen for comfort - therefore your personality should be warm and welcoming, even when under pressure

Time management skills are key to getting the best results. You should also possess the ability to recruit help where necessary - from both club members and other staff

Flexibility and the ability to work as a team member are crucial attributes

Hygienic kitchen practice is imperative

As living conditions are tight (you will be living out of the pockets of your fellow staff members) the ability to integrate well with and respect others within close quarters is absolutely essential

     

Administration & Lodge Assistant (filled for 2013)

You will assist the ticket/booking officer and chef, (see descriptions above for skills required). Your duties will include cleaning of huts and assisting in the organisation of food supply, preparation of meals and other duties, as required. You may also be required to assist in the on field canteen in Palmer Lodge during the day. This position will cover for the chef and the ticket office/bookings officer on their days off.

 

General Hand

This is a permanent part time position, 4 days a week (typically Thursdays through Sundays). You will be responsible for using Club machinery, which may include snow clearance duties in conjunction with the club’s contracted road clearance contractor. This may involve the use of heavy machinery (grader/bulldozer) and other machinery and often involve maintenance and repair duties. Some groomer work may be required. A heavy trade licence is essential. Maintenance of equipment essential to mountain operations, including tows, is an important facet of this position, part of which requires welding skills/experience. You will also be responsible for food supply and rubbish removal (to and from Rangiora), and other general maintenance work around the field (including the Tindall Tramway, and the Club groomer). From time to time you will also be required to assist with manual tasks such as cleaning and snow shovelling. A customer service focus is essential.

 

Other Information

STAFF ACCOMMODATION

All staff are accommodated in the Custodian's Hut, a cosy, comfortable, and rustic hut situated above the accommodation lodges above bushline. There is a modest charge for this, inclusive of food. Staff members are expected to eat with lodge guests and help with evening lodge duties.

REMUNERATION

For most people, working at a ski area is a lifestyle experience where the amount you earn is of less importance. That said, Broken River offers competitive pay rates, commensurate with the qualifications, experience and responsibility required of the position. We require our staff to commit to work the full season, and we expect flexibility from all our staff to ensure that the demands of a mountain environment are met. The time required to ensure that the work is done will vary depending on weather, snow conditions and demand. At busy times, staff can expect to work up to 6 days per week and if necessary cover for other staff when required.

APPLYING FOR A POSITION

If you are interested in applying for any of the above positions, please email a covering letter together with a current curriculum vitae, and details of any relevant qualifications held to:

The Personnel Officer: employment@brokenriver.co.nz

An interview in Christchurch is preferred where possible.

If you are an overseas applicant, we can assist in obtaining work visas for some positions (particularly the instructor positions). Working visa applications must be obtained before you come to New Zealand - they may not be obtained once you have arrived in New Zealand. For further details, please refer to the New Zealand Immigration Service website www.immigration.govt.nz.

VOLUNTEERS

We have some positions for volunteers who are willing to assist on an unpaid basis in the base area, accommodation lodges, and on field in return for food, board and skiing.