Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Ice Skating Technician

🎯 Role Definition

As an Ice Skating Technician, you are the heart of our arena's operations. Your primary mission is to create and maintain a world-class ice surface while ensuring all related equipment, from the ice resurfacer to the rental skates, is in perfect working order. This hands-on role requires a keen eye for detail, a strong understanding of mechanical and refrigeration systems, and a commitment to safety and customer satisfaction. You will be responsible for the day-to-day operational readiness of the rink, directly impacting the experience of every person who steps onto the ice.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Arena Attendant or Rink Guard
General Maintenance or Facilities Worker
Landscape or Heavy Equipment Operator

Advancement To:

Lead Ice Technician or Arena Operations Supervisor
Assistant Facilities Manager
Arena or Facilities Manager

Lateral Moves:

Certified Refrigeration Technician (with additional certification)
Building Maintenance Supervisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Skillfully operate ice resurfacing machines (e.g., Zamboni, Olympia) to perform floods, shaves, and cuts, ensuring a consistently smooth and safe ice surface for diverse user groups.
Execute detailed daily, weekly, and monthly preventative maintenance schedules on the ice resurfacer and other critical equipment to maximize lifespan and minimize downtime.
Conduct precise skate sharpening services for both rental and customer-owned skates, ensuring consistent hollows and edge quality for optimal performance.
Monitor and log the performance of the rink's refrigeration plant, compressors, and chillers, making necessary adjustments to maintain ideal ice temperature and quality.
Perform meticulous edging of the ice surface to maintain a clean, sharp transition to the dasher boards and prevent buildup.
Regularly inspect, clean, and repair the fleet of rental ice skates, including replacing blades, eyelets, and laces to ensure they are safe and comfortable for patrons.
Manage the ice-making process from the ground up, including building ice thickness, painting white layers, and precisely installing hockey lines and in-ice logos.
Conduct daily facility walkthroughs to inspect the integrity of the dasher boards, protective shielding (glass/acrylic), and gates, performing repairs as needed.
Maintain a comprehensive inventory of all necessary supplies, including skate sharpening wheels, resurfacer blades, maintenance fluids, and skate parts, and initiate purchase orders when stocks are low.
Keep detailed operational logs of ice maintenance activities, refrigeration plant readings, equipment repairs, and water quality tests for compliance and historical analysis.
Troubleshoot and resolve any immediate issues with the ice surface or related equipment, demonstrating strong problem-solving skills to ensure continuous operation.
Oversee and execute the conversion of the arena from an ice surface to a dry floor for concerts, trade shows, and other events, managing the process efficiently and safely.
Train new and part-time staff on proper equipment operation, skate sharpening techniques, and facility-specific safety protocols.
Uphold and enforce all safety standards related to machine operation, refrigeration system protocols (including ammonia awareness), and general facility safety.
Calibrate skate sharpening and profiling machines regularly to guarantee accuracy and provide a high-quality, professional finish.
Perform advanced blade maintenance on the ice resurfacer, including blade changes, leveling, and conditioning to ensure a perfect cut.

Secondary Functions

Provide outstanding customer service by professionally addressing patron inquiries regarding ice conditions, schedules, and skate services.
Assist with general building and facility maintenance, including minor carpentry, painting, and plumbing repairs to ensure the entire venue is well-maintained.
Operate other facility maintenance equipment, such as floor scrubbers, aerial lifts, and utility vehicles, to support overall cleanliness and operational needs.
Support the setup and teardown of equipment and infrastructure for various special events, tournaments, and non-ice activities hosted at the facility.
Monitor building access points and support facility security protocols during shifts to ensure a safe and secure environment for all staff and visitors.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Ice Resurfacer Operation: Proven ability to expertly operate and maintain ice resurfacing machines (Zamboni and/or Olympia).
Skate Sharpening: High level of proficiency in sharpening and repairing figure skates and hockey skates using professional-grade equipment.
Refrigeration Systems Knowledge: Foundational understanding of ice rink refrigeration principles, HVAC systems, and dehumidifiers.
Mechanical Aptitude: Strong diagnostic and repair skills for small engines, hydraulic systems, and other mechanical equipment.
Ice Maintenance Techniques: In-depth knowledge of ice painting, line/logo installation, and maintaining proper ice thickness and temperature.
Facility Maintenance: Competency in performing minor repairs in areas such as carpentry, plumbing, and electrical systems.
Safety Protocol Adherence: Strong understanding of OSHA regulations, lockout/tagout procedures, and safe handling of chemicals (e.g., ammonia).
Dasher Board & Shielding Systems: Experience with the installation, adjustment, and repair of dasher boards and protective acrylic/glass shielding.

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to tasks like edging, shaving, and skate sharpening to achieve flawless results.
Problem-Solving: Ability to think critically and act quickly to troubleshoot equipment failures or ice quality issues under pressure.
Time Management: Capable of working independently, prioritizing tasks, and managing responsibilities effectively during a shift.
Communication: Clear and professional communication skills for interacting with the public, user groups, and team members.
Physical Stamina: Ability to perform physically demanding tasks in a cold environment, including lifting objects up to 50-75 lbs.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Vocational or trade school certification in a relevant field. Certifications such as Certified Ice Technician (CIT), Certified Arena Operator (CAO), or a refrigeration/HVAC-R certificate are highly desirable.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Facilities Management
Refrigeration & HVAC Technology
Mechanical Trades

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1-3 years of hands-on operational experience in an ice rink, arena, or similar recreational facility.

Preferred:

2+ years of direct experience operating an ice resurfacer in a multi-use facility.
Demonstrable experience in a dedicated skate sharpening or pro shop role.
Prior supervisory experience or experience training other staff members is a plus.