Guide Safety Officer [Furano]

Job Description Guide Safety Officer- Rhythm Rides Location: Furano Dates: November through to March Wages: From ¥2,640 per hour to ¥2,850 per hour Monthly ¥516,425 to ¥557,197 Guide hourly rate will apply separately when delivering backcountry tours Please note that the actual amount will vary depending on the actual number of working days, hours, and shift conditions. Travel Allowance ¥100,000 reimbursed on actual flight cost Position Type: Hybrid Role: This role will split shifts between the GSO position & backcountry guide role Seasonal Hourly Position, hours variable depending on business, between 30 and 40 hours per week Reports to: Furano Rides Location Manager Direct Reports: None Technical Direction: Furano guides, for technical and safety matters About us: Rhythm is about creating epic experiences for our customers, which starts with our people. We live by our values and put people first. We take pride in creating working and living environments that foster innovation, adventure, and balance. Working at Rhythm is more than a job; it's an experience you will have forever. The Role: The Guide Safety Officer - Furano provides daily, field-based technical safety leadership for Rhythm Rides' Furano guide operation. This is primarily an on-snow role. The Guide Safety Officer gathers current snowpack, weather, terrain and operational information by guiding guests, assessing conditions, training staff and supporting guides in the field. The role applies the policies, terrain framework and operating standards set by the National Guide Technical Lead and makes the daily local decisions required to operate safely. The Guide Safety Officer holds final local technical authority over daily terrain availability, operating limits and safety-related changes or cancellations. The Furano Location Manager remains accountable for operational delivery and implements these decisions through staffing, guest communication and logistics. Individual guides must remain within the approved operating parameters and may always make a more conservative decision for their group. The Guide Safety Officer is accountable for: Current field observations of snowpack, weather, terrain and hazards Clear and conservative daily operating parameters Effective technical briefings and communication of changing conditions On-snow support, coaching and development of Furano guides Technical emergency readiness and incident leadership Timely escalation of technical risks and recommended improvements This is a Hybrid Role: The Guide Safety Officer duties are the priority of this role. When operationally appropriate, the Guide Safety Officer may also deliver backcountry tours for guests and will be paid the applicable guide rate. On the Location Manager's day off, the Guide Safety Officer will oversee daily operations and will not be assigned to guest tours. Safety, team and operational responsibilities will always take priority over guest guiding. Key Responsibilities and Duties: Technical Framework and Reporting Work within the policies, procedures, approved terrain and operating standards set by the National Guide Technical Lead. Maintain regular communication with the National Guide Technical Lead about conditions, emerging risks, guide capability and local technical needs. Provide local observations and recommendations for terrain, route, procedure and training reviews. Escalate decisions outside approved terrain, products or procedures to the National Guide Technical Lead. Work with the Furano Location Manager to ensure technical standards are understood and implemented locally. Daily Assessment and Operating Decisions Review forecasts, avalanche information, field observations, guide logbooks and unresolved technical concerns before operations begin. Assess the weather, snowpack, terrain, hazards and human factors affecting the day's operation. Set the daily approved zones, terrain limits, closures, product restrictions and other technical controls. Identify conservative alternatives when conditions or forecast uncertainty require flexibility. Modify, restrict, suspend or cancel an individual plan, product or the wider guide operation when risk cannot be managed within acceptable limits. Require a guide allocation change where qualifications, experience, readiness or fatigue create an unacceptable technical risk. On-Snow Delivery and Guide Support Be on snow on operating days wherever practical through guest guiding, field assessment, training, mentoring or direct guide support. Plan field activity to gather information needed for current and next-day decisions. Monitor changing weather, snowpack, terrain, access and operational conditions throughout the day. Maintain current knowledge of approved terrain, access points, hazards, emergency routes and operating limitations. Support guides with technical questions and additional field assessment when required. Update operating parameters promptly when conditions require a more conservative approach. When guiding guests, model conservative decision-making, professional guest care and strong technical standards. Ensure an authorised technical delegate and clear escalation process are in place when field duties limit availability. Briefings and Field Information Lead the technical component of the daily guide briefing with the Furano Location Manager. Communicate the daily hazard assessment, approved terrain, operating limits and safety priorities. Review each group's proposed terrain, alternatives, guest factors and communication plan. Confirm guides understand the operating limits and escalation requirements. Lead or coordinate the technical component of the end-of-day debrief. Review field observations and logbook information to identify emerging hazards, uncertainty and priorities for the following day. Provide the Furano Location Manager and National Guide Technical Lead with a summary of significant technical matters when required. Guide Standards and Development Provide technical direction to guides on terrain, snow safety, risk management, communication and emergency procedures. Observe guide performance in the field and provide practical coaching, mentoring and feedback. Intervene immediately where activity falls outside approved limits or presents an unacceptable risk. Assess guide suitability for specific terrain, products and conditions and advise the Furano Location Manager. Recommend training, mentoring, supervision or temporary restrictions where development is required. Assess guide progression within the authority delegated under Rhythm's guide sign-off framework. Deliver or support preseason onboarding, terrain orientation, technical refreshers, rescue practice and scenario training. Emergency Readiness and Technical Equipment Maintain current knowledge of local emergency procedures, rescue resources, access and evacuation options. Define the technical content required for emergency drills and scenario training. Confirm the technical requirements for guide rescue, first-aid and communication equipment. Identify unsafe or unsuitable technical equipment and require it to be removed from service. Provide technical leadership during guide-related incidents until responsibility transfers to the appropriate emergency service or senior authority. Review the technical factors involved in incidents, hazards and near misses and recommend actions to reduce recurrence. Escalate significant technical, safety, legal or reputational risks without delay. Collaboration and Role Boundaries Work closely with the Furano Location Manager to ensure technical decisions are implemented across guides, Guest Services, Store Operations and logistics. Explain technical decisions clearly, including their operational impact and any conditions required for activity to continue. Collaborate with Furano operational teams and contribute technical expertise to product and operational reviews. Represent Rhythm in technical or safety discussions with resort partners when requested. This role does not own policy creation, terrain approval, route design, rostering, payroll, budgets, guest complaints, transport, rental operations, formal people management or compliance administration. These responsibilities remain with the National Guide Technical Lead, Furano Location Manager or relevant operational team. Key Measures of Success: Consistent on-snow presence and useful field observations Clear, timely and conservative daily technical decisions Safe guide operations within approved terrain and operating limits Effective communication of changing hazards and restrictions Strong guide understanding of and adherence to technical standards Effective field support, coaching and guide development High standards of emergency readiness and incident response Clear collaboration between national technical leadership, local technical authority and operational management What you need to succeed: Qualifications & Experience Avalanche Operations Professional Level 2 or equivalent Current Wilderness First Responder or recognised equivalent At least three years of professional backcountry guiding experience, including lead-guide or technical-lead responsibilities Experience leading hazard assessments, terrain planning, guide briefings and emergency preparation Strong knowledge of Furano terrain, access, hazards and emergency procedures preferred Experience coaching and assessing professional guides Valid Japanese or recognised international driver licence where driving is required Skills and Attributes Advanced judgement in snow, avalanche, terrain and group risk management Clear, conservative and timely decision-making under pressure Strong field observation, snowpack analysis and communication skills Confidence to stop or modify operations when required Strong coaching, mentoring and feedback skills Ability to balance guest guiding, field assessment and wider technical support Collaborative, professional and committed to a learning-focused safety culture The Perks and Benefits: As a Rhythm employee, you’ll experience the same legendary hospitality we extend to our guests. We’re passionate about looking after our crew, and here are just a few of the perks you’ll enjoy when you join our team: Live, Work, and Play in Paradise: Immerse yourself in one of the world’s top mountain resorts. Work with a Legendary Crew: Join a team that’s passionate, fun-loving, and deeply connected to the industry. Subsidised Staff Accommodation: Affordable housing options and housing assistance to help you settle in. Epic Social Scene: From team ride days and department dinners to staff parties, events, and day trips, our social calendar is packed with opportunities to connect and unwind. Wellness and Lifestyle Benefits: Access the Rhythm Wellness program, enjoy free snowsports or bike demos, and take advantage of generous store discounts for you, your friends, and your family. At Rhythm, we work hard, but we play even harder. If you know anyone who’s worked with us before, they’ll tell you this isn’t just a job- it’s an experience of a lifetime. Our fun, supportive culture is the heart of everything we do because people like you make Rhythm what it is.