Patrol Procedures

Patrol Duties

MAJOR DUTIES
Patrollers serve as a volunteer Nordic Ski Patroller within the 182,700 acres of Crater Lake National Park. As official representative of the Crater Lake Ski Patrol and Crater Lake National Park, the patroller is expected to project a friendly and professional image. The ski patroller performs a variety of functions to include:

Visitor information and assistance provision
Informational, regulatory and warning sign maintenance; ski Trail marking
Safety promotion
Resource and safety violation recognition, prevention and correction, as appropriate
Emergency medical services program participation; search and rescue program participation; weather and snowpack evaluation
Ski patrol and related equipment maintenance; raining participation and instruction
Report completion.
Duties are usually performed on weekends and holidays. Workdays begin at 0900 and end at 1700.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
- Each patroller is required to acquire and maintain knowledge and skills in the following areas:
- Mountain weather, snowpack analysis, avalanche dynamics & prediction
- Physical conditioning equipment maintenance
- Emergency medical services
- Orienteering
- Patrol activities
- Regulations
- Winter & avalanche rescue techniques & equipment
- Winter & avalanche search techniques
- Skiing & Snowshoeing ability
- Snowmobile operations
- Survival techniques & equipment

(Refer to ski patrol standards for additional information)

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
- The Red Cone District Ranger or Area Ranger assigns duties daily. In their absence, another staff member will be designated. Most duties are routine, reoccurring and completed independently. The ski patroller may be called upon to organize and supervise personnel during an emergency incident.
GUIDELINES
- Guidelines addressing orientation, policies, objectives, procedures and park information are available. The patroller should exercise initiative and judgment in identifying problems and applying guidelines.
COMPLEXITY
- Assignments are varied, involving opportunity to apply various alternatives and methods. Standard procedures apply to most activities. The ski patroller is expected to employ initiative, ingenuity, analysis, alertness and concentration to each situation, problem and incident.
SCOPE AND EFFECT
- Work contributes to effective winter operations and to park resource preservation. Efforts influence the public's perception and enjoyment.
PERSONAL CONTACTS
- Contacts are with park visitors, other volunteers, park employees and concession employees.
PURPOSE OR CONTACTS
- Contacts promote efficient operations, offer information exchange, facilitate a safe and meaningful visitor experience, protect park resources and foster effective working relationships.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Position requires hiking, skiing or snow shoeing for long distances at any hour of the day, at high altitudes, in inclement weather and for long hours, particularly during emergency operations. Physical strength is required to ski any snow conditions over varying terrain, haul signs and assist with injured or ill person evacuation.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed outdoors from 4,400 to 8,900 feet elevation. Temperatures vary from sub-zero to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Severe winter weather is possible.

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Memberships Categories Definitions

Candidate: Entry-level participant, from interest announcement or patrol reference.

Member: Patroller who is in “good standing”, has attended mandatory training weekends, and has satisfactorily completed at least 6 days of patrol during a the season.

Certified: Patroller who has completed the Standards for Basic Skills competencies checklist.

MAJOR DUTIES

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS