Gondola & Transit Operator I (Summer 2026)

Salary: $20.97 - $28.31 Hourly
Location : Mountain Village, CO, CO
Job Type: Seasonal
Job Number: 202600229
Department: Gondola Operations
Opening Date: 04/15/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Salary Grade: 10 (Min $20.97, Mid $24.64, Max $28.31)
Hiring Range: $21.00
Job Application Fairness Act: Fairness Act Colorado Residents: In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.


Situated at 9,545 feet above sea level in the heart of the breathtaking San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado, The Town of Mountain Village was incorporated as a home-rule municipality in San Miguel County in 1995. Mountain Village is home to roughly 1,400 year-round residents and to the world-renowned Telluride Ski Resort.

At the Town of Mountain Village, we take pride in fostering an authentic and healthy community and workplace, where collaboration and respect are at the core of everything we do. As we continue to grow, we are seeking dedicated individuals who share our passion for creating a world-class resort community while preserving the natural beauty that surrounds us. Our mission is not only to be a market leader but also to be an employer of choice through career growth and opportunity, competitve wages and an excellent well-rounded benefit package.

If you share our vision for a better community, we invite you to explore the exciting job opportunities available. Join our team and be a part of shaping the future of Mountain Village! Learn more at townofmountainvillage.com/careers

Job Summary

Job Title: Gondola & Transit Operator I
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Salary Grade: 10 (Min $20.97, Mid $24.64, Max $28.31)
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
*Anticipated season dates are May 10 - October 25, 2026.
*Seasonal employee housing is available on a first come, first served basis. Parking is extremely limited and not guaranteed with housing.

NATURE OF WORK: Under direct supervision, operates the Gondola and Municipal Bus Service for the Town of Mountain Village and provides safe, secure, and courteous transportation services to passengers.

Essential Functions

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Operates Gondola and monitorsoperationsin accordance with specific instructions, department policies and procedures and safety and service standards; provides safe, secure, comfortable services to users of the Gondola system; assists guests with cabin access, baggage, equipment and local information; maintains orderly passenger traffic conditions in and around terminals.
• Performs daily inspection of equipment, reports any operational problems to the supervisor in a timely manner, and completes daily reports as required; assures that Gondola vehicles are operated in accordance with established protocols and schedules; assists with other transit operations as directed.
• Continuously inspects, cleans and maintains Gondola cabins, stations, and facilities; assists maintenance staff as needed; loads and unloads skis, snowboards, bicycles, and child-carriers as necessary.
• Removes trash, personal items, and blankets from cabins, buses, bus stops, parking areas et cetera while utilizing the proper personal protective equipment and following appropriate Transit procedures.
• Operates a rubber-tired 14 passenger or smaller transport shuttle vehicle transporting the public and/or employees; drives transport shuttle routes as needed; transports public and/or employees in inclement weather; performs daily vehicle checks; reports any unsafe conditions with vehicle; wears seat belts when operating any town vehicle
• Promote and observe safe work methods and use safety equipment; secure work sites as necessary; attends safety meetings, actively participates in trainings
• Actively works to progress the Town's goal of zero waste and carbon neutrality by minimizing unnecessary consumption (of energy, water, paper, plastic, ink, etc.), seeking environmentally preferred products (e.g., reusable, recycled content, non-fossil fuel), and supporting environmental initiatives through participation, promotion, and accurate storytelling.
• Gondola operators represent the Town even when off duty and especially when using Town Property or Transit Facilities. Whether on or off duty, Gondola operators should take care to behave in a way that would not cause damage to Town Property, negatively impact Transit operations, and not cause embarrassment for themselves or the Town, their employer.
• All other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
High school diploma or GED. Must be 18 years old or older. Prior gondola experience is not required; prior guest services experience is preferred. This is an entry level position in gondola operations. The Gondola Operator/Transit Operator I will be trained in the skills necessary to perform the job. All relevant experience will be considered. Able to communicate effectively and professionally in English; follow oral and written instructions and memorize necessary information.


Licenses/Certification(s):
Possession of a valid driver's License is required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED:
Knowledge of: Upon training, will have knowledge of Gondola operations, regulations and safety procedures; Gondola operation standards and rules; Federal, state and regional public transit regulations and safety standards; radio and telephone communications protocols; Town policies and procedures; safe operation of shuttle vehicles.

Skill in: Operating the Gondola and Bus in a safe manner, in compliance with all policies and procedures, and state and local regulations; react quickly to situations that could create safety and customer security problems; using courtesy and respect in providing excellent customer service to guests; establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with employees and the general public.

Environmental Factors:
Work is performed outdoors in variable weather conditions. Operators come into contact with highly used public cabins, buses and public spaces on a regular basis.

Physical Factors:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to continuously stand and walk while on duty and may lift/move up to 40 lbs. Employees operate/drive Transit vehicles. Requires ability to perform physical work requiring ability to lift a maximum of 40 pounds; frequent lifting, carrying, walking and standing, hand/eye coordination. The employee frequently is required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Frequent hand/eye coordination for quickly and repeatedly adjusting the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions; vision for reading and preparing written reports and documents; frequent speech communication, hearing and listening to maintain communications with employees and citizens. Must have the ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away and to judge the distance between self and an object. Requires driving and walking during inclement weather. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles; extreme cold and extreme heat. The employee is occasionally exposed to vibration. The noise level in the work environment is frequently loud.
Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
This position may require the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as needed to ensure safety and compliance with workplace standards. Employees are expected to wear PPE such as gloves, safety glasses, masks, or other gear as required by the specific tasks and working conditions.
Expectations of All Employees:
To support consistent high-quality guest service to everyone in our community, including our co-workers, making Mountain Village a great place to live, work and visit.


The Town of Mountain Village is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Seasonal employees receive retirement options offered by Colorado PERA, sick time accrual, and have a 4-day work week. Seasonal employees are also eligible to obtain a ski pass (winter) through Telluride Ski and Golf resort as a taxable benefit. Additional benefits include an end of season bonus and holiday pay.