Peter Kacho

I am currently working for a contractor out of the Hunker, PA Fed Ex shipping center. I have delivered packages to various businesses and residences throughout Irwin, North Huntington, Mckeesport, and Pitcairn. I have been driving 16'-18' Chevy 3500, and Freightliner P1000 box trucks.

I completed a wide range of objectives during my employment at Wolf Creek Ski Area. Primarily, I was responsible for ensuring the 3-5 person crew groomed the ski trails in a safe, efficient manner with a mind for time management. This encompassed detailed work around the ski lifts, base area lodges, maintenance shops, fuel farm, trails, and runouts. Shifts generally started at 9pm and ended around 10:00am. I was responsible for recording work accomplished in a daily logbook, as well as turning in a grooming report to the snow reporter. I was responsible for maintaining the machines' fluid levels including ATF, rando, 15w40, and coolant, as well as greasing the zerks for various clevis joints, pivot points, ball/sockets, and bushings. In addition, detailed pre-op and post shift inspections were conducted nightly/daily to ensure damage free, safe operation. I was able to complete basic repairs if time allowed and a machine was needed. Constant communication with vehicle maintenance staff ensured all machines were well cared for and any issues were acknowledged, logged, and resolved promptly. In the early season, (fall), I was enlisted with getting the snow cats ready for winter. This included moving implements and maneuvering the machines to be tracked up with either a Case 621, or 921 wheeled loader, and a Cat 360b telehandler. After positioning the snow cats, I worked to attach tracks and implements, with an eye for needed repairs missed during summer service. This required proficiency with rigging chains, shackles, and straps to secure heavy loads to the different machines, as well as switching out and operating buckets, blades, forks, and tillers. In the spring, I de-tracked machines in the same manner as the fall season, and completed basic maintenance tasks. At times I was asked to use the telehandler to move objects such as pallets and cable spools with the forks. In addition, during the winter, I worked with snow making machines. I moved these delicate machines around the mountain, and worked with high pressure water lines, valving, and also 480 volt power cords and outlets. I am familiar with lock out tag out, and confined space log sheets and procedures. In addition to completing these objectives I often trained newly hired and inexperienced employees in most of these tasks. I have limited hours moving material with back hoes, front end loaders, skid steers, and mini excavators. I have acquired a light touch operating heavy machinery. I have spent well over 10,000 hours in the cabs of various machines during my 13 year career operating snow cats.

I worked with Glen Robinson during the summertime while not employed by Wolf Creek Ski Area. I assisted him in the tear down and construction of various decks. We built decks ranging from large 18' by 80' to smaller 12' by 12' and up to 16' off the ground. Glen owned a Bobcat for grading the terrain around the work site and augering the post holes. I mixed concrete, set posts, fixed ledger plates, anchor bolts, girders, and joists. We used trex for deck boards. I also did some staining, painting and sanding. This was part time work, and hours fluctuated with different jobs.

I worked for Chris Rapp Landscaping in the summer off-seasons from Wolf Creek Ski Area. The clients were wealthy and demanded a top quality product. I installed irrigation systems, and rock features. I planted and pruned trees, shrubs, and flowers. I used a zero turn mower to perform immaculate lawn grooming services. I drove and backed up trucks with trailers loaded with maintenance equipment and materials to and from work sites. Chris owned two backcountry cabins he rented out for snowmobilers and skiers on a 40 acre mining claim. Here, I ran chainsaws felling, and bucking countless trees, as well as assisting in construction on the site.

I worked part time for the local Wolf Creek Trailblazers Snowmobile Club out of Pagosa Springs. This required me to drive a Ford 650 flatbed tow truck loaded with a Pisten Bully 100 Snow Cat up and down Wolf Creek Pass. The combination weighed just under 26,000 lbs and required "oversize load" banners and flags. I would drive from the storage yard to the top of Wolf Creek Pass, unload the snow cat, and groom the trails. Afterwords I packed up, secured the machine, and drove back to the storage yard. Occasionally I had to chain up the tires to make it up and down the pass safely. It was essential to ensure both machines had correct fluid levels and were in safe operating condition due to the remoteness of some of the terrain.

I had many tasks during my employment at Dreamscapes. The clientele included wealthy property owners in and around Pagosa Springs. In addition to installations including flagstone patios, elaborate rock gardens, water features, irrigation systems, fences, and paved walkways, I laid sod, and planted trees, shrubs, and flowers. I operated skid steers, trenchers, and a mini excavator to move material around work sites, grade terrain, and create features. I drove and backed up trucks with various tow behind and 5th wheel trailers to and from work sites. Safely loading and securing machines, heavy rock, and material was a daily operation. In addition to installation, there were maintenance duties at several properties as well. This including running a zero point mower, and pruning vegetation.

I operated a snow cat and worked in early season snowmaking operations at Big Sky Resort in Montana. I worked with other groomers in a "pack" to ensure a top quality product for the guests. I did pre-trip, and post shift inspections on the machines to ensure reliability in mountainous terrain. I communicated on the radio with other groomers to effectively and safely navigate a hazardous mountainous environment. Situational awareness was key working in close proximity to buildings, lifts, obstacles, and other machines.

I worked my way up through the Lift Department, and Snowmaking Department, to become a Groomer here at Cooper Mountain. I was a Crew Leader in the Lift Department, and trained employees on safety, ramp maintenance, lift operation, and guest service. Snowmaking involved working with water pressures exceeding 800psi, compressed air exceeding 100psi, high voltage power, and hazardous outdoor environments with extreme temperatures. Safely collaborating and adapting with team members was essential due to a noisy, constantly changing workspace. Grooming trails demanded attention to detail, communication skills, and time management. In the off season I worked on high alpine fencing projects, logging crews, and slope maintenance.