8 replies to this topic

[DakarNick]

I'm looking to get a new job. I've been doing building maintenance for the last six years and besides carpentry, that is all I've done during my working career.

I've been on Vail Resorts job site applying for building maintenance technician openings, but I'm really wanting to get a lift maintenance job.

Yesterday, I saw an opening for a Lift Maintenance Helper at Keystone Resort and within 5 minutes of seeing it I had the application sent in. 2.5 hours from them receiving my app., they emailed me back to turn me down. Now, it could have been a multitude of genera reasons, i.e, a couple speeding tickets on my record, or of course, the obvious reason, that I don't have any lift maintenance experience, and that they found a more suitable applicant.

I DO have quite a bit of mechanical skill, rebuilding motors, pumps, bearings, pulleys, maintaining boilers, chillers, VAVs, electrical background, etc. But no lift-specific knowledge. Though I LOVE ropeways and am always eager to learn.

So what do I do? I can't afford to take a paycut and become a liftie/ticket scanner, though that is a large foot-in-the-door experience. I could keep trying for a building maintenance job and possibly get a part-time job as a liftie.

I know a lift mech at Copper, I went to school with him back in Iowa. I also know a cat operator at Keystone. He gave me a number to contact the lift maintenance supervisor, a friend of his, but that may not get me anywhere, especially if Vail hires "by the book". I guess I could call him and get a tour of the gondola parking at least!

Thanks guys,

Nick

[skibum]

This time of year I think people are looking for folks with expeiriance. While resorts are operating it is key to have expeiranced folks to trouble shoot and quickly fix downed lifts. I would recomend you look for an LM job in the spring or summer. Helping with summer maintanance will get you started in gaining expeiriance, teach you the basics of the machines and give you a chance to prove to a resort that you have some skills.

[mthornton]

Look for pre-apprenticeship training as a millwright or an electrician, at a local college. This will make you a lot for valuable as a 1st-year LM apprentice.

M

[Kelly]

D Nick
I have had some past experience working in the industry plus hiring and firing.
A few thoughts –
Just because their big does not mean they are better
The mid-winter is the “low time” for hiring in this department for any resort…usually no hiring is done at this time unless there are extenuating circumstances
Realize with the current economy the above is very true
I suggest going around the corner past the HR department directly to the maintenance shops - sooner or later you’re going to have to impress the guy actually hiring (personnel/human resources does not do the hiring for any maintenance department, just the paper work) if you get to him you will stand-out…oh yeah you’ll get some stares from the worker guys, but who cares what are they going to do fire you -
Have your resume in-hand; make sure it’s finished, one page with no lies or too much fluff.
Dress the part, the Spyder powder suit with your $300 gloves will make you standout in the wrong way
Be in shape for the part – yes I am not being politically correct, if you’re too skinny or too fat you’ll be at the bottom of the list – the job does take some physical work…
Working at heights is a plus for experience
Forget the classified ads and give your pitch to every area – some will be a better fit than others
You can try the - parking lot to lift attendant to lift operator to maintenance helper to winter patrol route…you could find an “in” sooner
If you’re in a certain location that has a higher concentration of resorts realize you’ll be competing with other experienced mechanics from the same job pool
That being said, hang in there, I was always on the lookout for a person with some relevant experience when I hired one

[Lift Dinosaur]

DakarNick, on 06 February 2010 - 05:33 PM, said:

I'm looking to get a new job. I've been doing building maintenance for the last six years and besides carpentry, that is all I've done during my working career.

I've been on Vail Resorts job site applying for building maintenance technician openings, but I'm really wanting to get a lift maintenance job.

Yesterday, I saw an opening for a Lift Maintenance Helper at Keystone Resort and within 5 minutes of seeing it I had the application sent in. 2.5 hours from them receiving my app., they emailed me back to turn me down. Now, it could have been a multitude of genera reasons, i.e, a couple speeding tickets on my record, or of course, the obvious reason, that I don't have any lift maintenance experience, and that they found a more suitable applicant.
Remember with the state of the economy, there are way more resumes than a Resort can review. Recently one area had 400 applicants for one entry level accounting job. They have to cut it off somewhere - 100? Maybe that's why you got "turned down" after 2.5 hours.
I DO have quite a bit of mechanical skill, rebuilding motors, pumps, bearings, pulleys, maintaining boilers, chillers, VAVs, electrical background, etc. But no lift-specific knowledge. Though I LOVE ropeways and am always eager to learn.

So what do I do? I can't afford to take a paycut and become a liftie/ticket scanner, though that is a large foot-in-the-door experience. I could keep trying for a building maintenance job and possibly get a part-time job as a liftie.
This is the dilemma - at some point you might have to take a step back to move forward. Tough if you are trying to support a family.

I know a lift mech at Copper, I went to school with him back in Iowa. I also know a cat operator at Keystone. He gave me a number to contact the lift maintenance supervisor, a friend of his, but that may not get me anywhere, especially if Vail hires "by the book". I guess I could call him and get a tour of the gondola parking at least!
Your best bet may be to stop by Copper, visit your friend and get to meet some of his colleagues. Ask the Supervisors about summer "Helper" work. Keep in mind that most of the Helpers come from the Lift Ops staff as they know 1)Their way around the Mountain 2) How to run lifts 3)Are a simple paperwork transfer rather than a "New Hire".
The other issue is housing. If you don't live there, they are reluctant to hire you - commuting from Denver doesn't work and the Area doesn't want to waste their time on someone that will bailout after a few weeks.

Thanks guys,

Nick

Good Luck - I hope this info helps.

Dino

This post has been edited by Lift Dinosaur: 09 February 2010 - 08:08 AM

[LuvPow]

Did you meet the min. requirements on the job posting? Most lifties apply for these helper positions and they already know the lifts.. that's what a helper is for the most part, push reset and run

[liftmech]

Don't forget cleaning underskins

Nick-- who do you know here at Copper?

[Lift Dinosaur]

[quote name='liftmech' date='09 February 2010 - 03:37 PM' timestamp='1265755054' post='89848']
Don't forget cleaning underskins

Nick-- who do you know here at Copper?

Who's on the Crew from Iweja?

Dino

[DakarNick]

Hi all. There is a lot to answer so instead of quoting I'll address questions and points as they were addressed to me.

BTW, I don't need a job now. Mine is actually pretty good. But, it's time for either my fiancee to get a job closer to mine, or me closer to her. She is working in Silverthorne, I'm working in Parker, a suburb SE of Denver. The drive for her is 30 min, mine is an hour (we live outside Idaho Springs). If I could get something up there, then I'd be 30 minutes from Silverthorne, 45 to Keystone. That is until we find some where to live in Summit County.

Skibum, good idea. I know the resorts are slow right now and they do most of their major repairs in the summer.

mthornton, also a good idea and the experience can only help!

Kelly, very good points. Keystone (Vail Resorts) is huge, I know. I also looked at Loveland, Copper, and A-Basin. As far as the economy, yep! I know that, too! It's tough for everyone, and at least I am lucky enough to have a job while searching for another. I think I will contact the guy at Keystone. The worst he can say is no. My resume is complete and to the point. It is posted on Vail's job website, also. I will definitely dress the part. Besides, I don't have a Spyder suit :) I am skinny but fit (and could be more fit). I'd love to be doing more labor outside. These past 6 years of inside maintenance and laid-back stuff isn't helping me! I love heights. I climb and fly airplanes! I'll keep everything else in mind, also.


Lift Dinosaur, that is true. I have no idea how many resumes they looked at. I was very lucky with my current job and never had a formal interview. They hired me on the spot. I will see if I can visit my Copper friend and maybe his boss to see what's up over there.

LuvPow, yes I did meet the min. reqs. for the Lift Maintenance Helper position. That being said, I have never been around lifts other than to admire and ride them.

Liftmech, I know Alex Washburn. I asked him if he knew about this site and he does, but never really visits here.

Thanks very much everyone. I appreciate the help and will update this if I have anything to share or more questions!

Nick

This post has been edited by DakarNick: 09 February 2010 - 04:09 PM