Gravity Logic is hiring excavator operators for the 2023 build season in the USA

[Clownshoe]

Hey Mags. I'm abandoning a bit of my anonymity to post up a job opportunity at the company I work for.
If the mods think this is spam, I'll delete it. Hopefully everyone is cool with it.

Gravity Logic is hiring excavator operators for our summer build season in America next summer.
Most of the details are in the attachment, but feel free to PM me or post questions in the thread, and I'll do my best to answer.

https://www.whistlergravitylogic.com/careers

EXCAVATOR OPERATORS – POSITIONS START SPRING 2023
Help us build and shape mountain bike trails in North America and around the world!

We are looking for motivated, full-time excavator operators who are willing to travel for work. Most projects are at ski areas around North America and work is primarily from May to November. Winter work is not guaranteed. All work is full-time, with an opportunity to work between 40 and 60 hours per week. Travel, accommodation, and per diems are provided for successful candidates.

What we’re looking for:

You are passionate about mountain biking and trail building.

You are an experienced excavator operator.

You have previous experience building mountain bike trails with an excavator.

You are motivated and can work unsupervised.

You are comfortable working outside in all weather conditions, including direct sun, humidity, rain, snow, heat, and extreme cold. Excavators may be open cab or closed cab. Noise levels are generally moderate.

You can work as part of a diverse team. Operators will need to interact professionally .with clients, hand crews, public, and other Gravity Logic staff.

You are physically fit and can move/lift objects up to 50 lbs (carrying jugs of diesel, culverts, moving trees, rocks, etc.).

You are excited to travel for work and willing to spend extended amounts of time away from home (2 to 4 months at a time).

You are comfortable with shared-living accommodations.

Responsibilities:

Arrive on time and ready for work, according to the schedule set by the Project Manager.

Assist with trail construction, repairs, and maintenance, as directed.

Initiate and maintain general cleanliness on the trails and work areas.

Assume responsibility for the cleanliness of the resort and the safety of guests and employees.

Participate in safety meetings.

Accept diverse assignments.

Maintain a positive and friendly attitude and demeanor in all internal and external interactions.

Operate and maintain excavators, front-end loaders, tracked dumpers, and other heavy machinery.

Fuel and maintain your machine in accordance with industry standards.

Attend training, as required, in order to work with machinery and specialized tools.

Work and excavate in steep, forested terrain.

Build a variety of trails, including excavated trails, jump trails, and hybrid trails.

Work alongside tree-falling crews and hand-building crews.

Drive ATVs, side by sides, and pickup trucks on steep mountain roads.

Maintain work logs and track hours worked.

Submit payroll and expenses electronically.

Meet goals and objectives as defined by the supervisor.

Other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications & Skills

Minimum high school education.

Valid driver’s licence.

Related trail building experience.

Minimum two years’ experience building mountain bike trails with excavators in steep terrain. Candidates will be required to provide references and photo/video documentation of their previous projects.

Advanced mountain biking skills.

Experience driving ATVs, side by sides, and pickup trucks off-road.

Ability to walk on uneven forested ground for extended distances.

Ability to move/lift objects up to 50 pounds.

Chainsaw skills and tree-falling experience an asset.

Benefits

Gravity Logic will pay for trips home/time off every 6–8 weeks.

Paid overtime. Workdays are generally 10 hours long.

Accommodations are Airbnb-type accommodations with shared living spaces, kitchens, and bathrooms. Each employee has their own room.

Wellness bonus of $400 per month for each full month worked.

$28–$36 per hour, depending on experience.

$80 per diem for each working day while on the road.

If this sounds like a dream job for you, email your questions and/or resume (no more than 2 pages), confirming the earliest you would be available to start work, to Dave Kelly, dave@whistlergravitylogic.com.

[raisingarizona13]

Where is GL planning on being this next year in the US?

The pay and benefits are extremely tempting!

[Clownshoe]

I can’t say for sure where next year’s contracts will be. This year we were digging in Lee Canyon, Deer Valley, Taos, Thunder Mountain, Bolton Valley, Copper, and Bryce. I might have missed one or two. Plus a couple jobs in Canada and a couple in Europe.

[rideit]

Are you guys doing the new trail at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort? I have heard it described as “ “ Will be the A-Line of the lower 48”.
Supposed to take two years to build or something.

[Clownshoe]

Not us. I believe Cam Zinc’s company is doing that one.

[rudy]

In (but only for the safety meetings)

[frorider]

Arrive on time and ready for work

I’m out.

[bamboocoreONLY]

Soooooo is Copper just gonna blow up to a legit bike park from you guys building trails? Hope so

[Clownshoe]

Soooooo is Copper just gonna blow up to a legit bike park from you guys building trails? Hope so

Me too. There’s a great trail crew there and the management team is on board. Hopefully we can execute on our plan. It’ll take a couple of years to really take shape.

[MarcusBrody]

I rode your work from the past year at Lee Canyon last weekend. Good stuff. Thanks!

I hope you get the chance to keep building up there, though the constraints will ensure that it is never a huge park (while also being totally understandable).

[summit]

I want Copper to be Whistler South so badly

GL is responsible for the best flow trails in CO.

[bamboocoreONLY]

Me too. There’s a great trail crew there and the management team is on board. Hopefully we can execute on our plan. It’ll take a couple of years to really take shape.

Yeah Copper is really keeping it real right now with Woodward, etc. I could see them taking over for bike park riding in Summit.

[Roxtar]

I can’t say for sure where next year’s contracts will be. This year we were digging in Lee Canyon, Deer Valley, Taos, Thunder Mountain, Bolton Valley, Copper, and Bryce. I might have missed one or two. Plus a couple jobs in Canada and a couple in Europe.

You mean someone is actually building outside of Arkansas?

[milestogo]

Just curious--why is the pay so low for experienced operators? Seems like a pretty specific skill set you are all looking for, and people are getting that around here to clean motel rooms. I know there are many aspects to the work that make it really appealing, but the compensation just seems out of whack.

[toast2266]

Just curious--why is the pay so low for experienced operators? Seems like a pretty specific skill set you are all looking for, and people are getting that around here to clean motel rooms. I know there are many aspects to the work that make it really appealing, but the compensation just seems out of whack.

People are making $30 / hour cleaning hotel rooms? I'm skeptical. That'd mean that maid is making more than the median wage in almost every state (including Vermont).

The wage offered by GL is right in line with what most trailbuilding companies I've seen are offering. Their starting wage is maybe even a bit on the high side, although I would guess that they're only hiring fairly experienced operators. The wages they're offering are also probably in the ballpark of what you'd make as an equipment operator on a construction site.

[rideit]

Maids start at about $25 an hour here.
Because Jackson, of course.
Our house cleaners bill at $100 hr for two people.

[Clownshoe]

Re: comments on the wages.

In some places the wages will be more or less competitive depending on the local economy. With the per diem and the monthly bonus I think it’s a good package. Of course some will disagree. I guess we will find out when people apply or not.

Also I’m an employee not the owner, so it’s out of my hands. People are welcome to negotiate if they feel they’re worth more.

[Andeh]

People are making $30 / hour cleaning hotel rooms? I'm skeptical. That'd mean that maid is making more than the median wage in almost every state (including Vermont).

The wage offered by GL is right in line with what most trailbuilding companies I've seen are offering. Their starting wage is maybe even a bit on the high side, although I would guess that they're only hiring fairly experienced operators. The wages they're offering are also probably in the ballpark of what you'd make as an equipment operator on a construction site.

For reference, $30 would be about what a 60% apprentice operating engineer makes in NorCal. Journeyman would make more like $50/hour.

[raisingarizona13]

Just curious--why is the pay so low for experienced operators? Seems like a pretty specific skill set you are all looking for, and people are getting that around here to clean motel rooms. I know there are many aspects to the work that make it really appealing, but the compensation just seems out of whack.

Maths. The numbers are pretty tight as is.

[toast2266]

Maths. The numbers are pretty tight as is.

What kind of prices are you guys charging per lineal foot, if you don't mind me asking? (I'm sure it varies quite a bit depending on the project)

[milestogo]

Maths. The numbers are pretty tight as is.

Fair enough. I figured the margins were better for Gravity Logic given their expertise and rep. My calibration for wages is based on a limited sample of Stowe and its environs, where prices/wages/worker availability is all out of sync.

[raisingarizona13]

What kind of prices are you guys charging per lineal foot, if you don't mind me asking? (I'm sure it varies quite a bit depending on the project)

2.50 to 8. Generally speaking. There's bigger projects that could take much more such as a switchback build on steep cross slopes. We aren't doing anything close to GL trail builds really. At least not like the full on fully featured park trails for long verticals. That stuff isn't really in ACE's wheelhouse. I was brought in to this position to help out with some more bike-y projects they had lined up when management was feeling more ambitious but the bike trail stuff is kind of over their head honestly. the staff folks don't ride and rarely do any of the Core members (kids on the crew) so I have to manage these projects while also doing the part I'm supposed to do on the machine. It can be awfully stressful and much more than I get paid for but I figured it's great experience and that was the whole point. I've had a ton of freedom since taking this position and have been able to get creative with ideas and moving dirt around. It's been really awesome overall, no complaints.

I helped line up this Kingman trail system we are working on now and did the design work two years ago. I want to see this one through since the designs have a bike specific flavor to them but once this one is over I'm a free agent and I'm looking forward to working with other mountain bikers.

I've got one project I'm waiting to hear back on but if that doesn't happen I'll be applying with companies like GL. I already got the green light from the boss lady. I should know in a week.

[raisingarizona13]

Fair enough. I figured the margins were better for Gravity Logic given their expertise and rep. My calibration for wages is based on a limited sample of Stowe and its environs, where prices/wages/worker availability is all out of sync.

They may be but I imagine that with larger projects comes higher costs (obviously) and much more complicated logistics. A listed starting salary between 28-38 is pretty good imho honestly. Especially when it's not solely based in Bentonville, land of the Walmart dollars.

[toast2266]

2.50 to 8. Generally speaking. There's bigger projects that could take much more such as a switchback build on steep cross slopes. We aren't doing anything close to GL trail builds really. At least not like the full on fully featured park trails for long verticals. That stuff isn't really in ACE's wheelhouse. I was brought in to this position to help out with some more bike-y projects they had lined up when management was feeling more ambitious but the bike trail stuff is kind of over their head honestly. the staff folks don't ride and rarely do any of the Core members (kids on the crew) so I have to manage these projects while also doing the part I'm supposed to do on the machine. It can be awfully stressful and much more than I get paid for but I figured it's great experience and that was the whole point. I've had a ton of freedom since taking this position and have been able to get creative with ideas and moving dirt around. It's been really awesome overall, no complaints.

I helped line up this Kingman trail system we are working on now and did the design work two years ago. I want to see this one through since the designs have a bike specific flavor to them but once this one is over I'm a free agent and I'm looking forward to working with other mountain bikers.

I've got one project I'm waiting to hear back on but if that doesn't happen I'll be applying with companies like GL. I already got the green light from the boss lady. I should know in a week.

Right on. You guys would be on the less expensive end around here - $3.50 - $4 is about the lowest I've seen these days. But i guess it really depends a lot on the terrain (we mostly have pretty easy dirt that's not too rocky, but lots of bushes and organic stuff to work through).

It's gotta be nice to have some freedom to build the trail as you see fit. Some of the biggest complaints I hear from our pro builders is being too constrained in how they build the trail. And then they sort of catch some blame when the trail doesn't ride that well even though it wasn't their fault at all. But yeah, I'm sure it's exhausting trying to wrangle that all together with a crew that aren't avid bikers.

[raisingarizona13]

Yup. Having a rift between builder and designer can definitely be a thing, we all don't always see the same things. I got to build the lower 2/3 of the new Dark Hollow Trail and that was a blast. I think it was Kevin from the SW Utah MTNB group that put that together and it was an absolute pleasure to follow his design. That kind of a thing seems rare now that I get more into this. Sometimes you gotta just make do I guess.

Managing a crew on these sorts of trails is freaking hard! Especially if they don't ride or are a regular part of a team. It can be maddening really but it's been a great test of patience and learning how to manage people in sometimes less than ideal situations. No matter, I'm a better builder because of all of it. I think there are very good things moving forward and I'm super stoked. What I really want right now is to work with other mtb trail builders and ones that push me to see better and bigger things. French drains and more technical bike park hydro management is something I'd really like to learn more on. I haven't done any work like that and it would be cool to learn from people that have been on it for a long while.