Routesetter
About The Position
The Routesetter designs, sets, and maintains bouldering problems and roped climbing routes in accordance with Session Climbing standards and scheduled setting plans. Working collaboratively with the routesetting team, the role creates safe, engaging, and progressive climbing experiences for a wide range of abilities. The position includes installing and removing holds and hardware, forerunning and evaluating route quality, maintaining equipment and setting areas, and supporting facility upkeep related to climbing terrain. Routesetters must follow safety and work-at-height procedures, communicate effectively with team members, and contribute to a consistent, high-quality experience for gym users. The role requires indoor climbing experience, climbing proficiency of at least V4 in bouldering and 5.11a in roped climbing, and the ability to pass Session Climbing's belay assessment and demonstrate the P.B.U.S. belay method for top-rope and lead belaying. Session Climbing internal routesetting and work-at-height training is required upon hire. CPR and First Aid certification is required within 60 days of hire.
Requirements
- Previous indoor climbing experience in bouldering and/or sport climbing.
- Ability to pass Session Climbing's belay assessment and demonstrate proficiency in the P.B.U.S. (Pull, Brake, Under, Slide) belay method for both top-rope and lead belaying.
- Understanding of fundamental climbing movement and ability to apply it to boulders and roped routes.
- Demonstrated climbing proficiency of at least V4 in bouldering and 5.11a in roped climbing.
- Ability to safely forerun and evaluate climbing routes and boulder problems for movement quality and grading consistency.
- Strong interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment in a dynamic, safety-sensitive environment.
- Ability to learn and consistently apply routesetting systems, standards, and progression frameworks.
- Ability to work safely and efficiently in physically demanding environments, including at height.
- CPR and First Aid certification required within 60 days of hire.
- Completion of Session Climbing internal routesetting and work-at-height training upon hire.
- Ability to climb and descend climbing walls and ladders using approved safety equipment, and to work at height while installing, modifying, and removing routes.
- Ability to balance, reach, grasp, push, pull, stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl throughout the workday.
- Ability to use hands and arms to install and remove climbing holds, volumes, macros, hardware, and routesetting equipment.
- Ability to wear a harness, helmet, and other required personal protective equipment.
- Ability to lift, carry, move, and store equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to communicate effectively by talking and hearing.
- Ability to observe climbing activities and monitor climbing safety.
- Ability to identify climbing routes, route colors, holds, hardware, safety markings, and visual signals.
Nice To Haves
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Prior routesetting experience in a climbing gym.
- Experience working in a recreation, fitness, or customer-facing environment.
- Current CPR and First Aid certification at the time of hire.
- Climbing Wall Association (CWA) Professional Routesetting (PRS) certification.
Responsibilities
- Set, modify, and remove climbing routes and boulder problems in accordance with Session Climbing standards and established setting schedules.
- Install and remove climbing holds, volumes, macros, route tags, and associated hardware.
- Participate in route planning, grade calibration, and forerunning to evaluate movement quality, safety, and climber experience.
- Create climbing experiences supporting a diverse range of abilities, movement styles, and progression pathways.
- Maintain route quality through observation, feedback collection, and ongoing adjustments.
- Follow routesetting safety procedures, risk management practices, and work-at-height protocols.
- Safely operate ladders, ropes, hand tools, power tools, and other routesetting equipment.
- Inspect climbing holds, hardware, anchors, and routesetting equipment for wear, damage, or safety concerns, and promptly report issues.
- Participate in route stripping, hold washing, wall preparation, and facility maintenance related to routesetting operations.
- Maintain organized routesetting workspaces, equipment storage areas, and hold inventories.
- Collaborate with the routesetting team and other Session staff to support facility operations and member experience.
- Communicate professionally and effectively with supervisors and coworkers about routesetting priorities, safety concerns, and operational needs.
- Respond appropriately to incidents, injuries, behavioral concerns, and emergencies according to Session Climbing policies and procedures.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
No Education Listed
