Head Routesetter

Alta Climbing is seeking an experienced Head Routesetter to lead and develop our routesetting program. In this leadership role, you will oversee and manage all aspects of Alta’s routesetting operations, ensuring consistent quality, safety, and alignment with Alta’s community driven vision and competitive team values and needs.

The Head Routesetter is a leadership position that requires a strong commitment to mentorship, customer service, and team management. You will build a positive and supportive culture within the routesetting department and wider community, foster growth, and mentor fellow routesetters.

This role directly reports to the GM for oversight but will require a high level of autonomy.

Alta’s USAC Competition history

2024

• USAC Collegiate National Sport, Speed and Bouldering host
• USAC Youth Boulder Regional host
• USAC Youth Sport QE

2023

• USAC Sport Youth Divisional host
• USAC Youth Boulder QE

2022

• North American Cup Series host
• USAC Youth Sport Divisional host
• USAC Boulder QE

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Team Management

• The responsibilities of this role include all tasks associated with a full-time routesetter and staff at Alta Climbing Gyms, including, but not limited to, stripping, washing, and regular routesetting, scheduled customer and team integration projects.
• Foster a positive, supportive, and cohesive work environment that aligns with Alta’s values and promotes customer satisfaction.
• Contribute to Alta’s customer service goals and understand that routesetting, and all associated tasks, contribute to the overall customer experience.
• Support the coaching program with youth focused routesetting and provide a valuable source of feedback and education to the coaching program and youth teams.
• Always strive to improve our routesetting with the community customer in mind.
• Be professional and approachable at all times.
• Interact with members and guests on a daily basis in a way that supports a positive climbing community and provide an educational resource to our climbing community on a regular basis.
• Actively contribute to a positive workplace and effective team.
• Support and help employees and work as a team.
  Provide feedback and constructive criticism in a positive way.
• Focus on compromise and empathy to solve challenges in the workplace.
• Provide mentorship to other Alta Climbing Gym setters through regular exercises that engage and foster professional growth.
• Resolve team conflicts, maintain open communication channels, and escalate issues when necessary.

Administrative Duties

• Manage the daily routesetting crew, overseeing scheduling, time management, quality control, and risk management.
  Delegate tasks and responsibilities effectively to accomplish goals and provide growth opportunities.
• Train the crew on, and ensure adherence to, all employment policies (PTO, holidays, scheduling policies, etc) and safety protocols (tool usage, work at height, etc) as set forth by Alta.
• Work with the GM to develop new safety standards and policies when needed.
• Review routesetting feedback with the GM and implement changes as needed.
• Organize meetings, training sessions, and planning sessions for the routesetting department.
• Oversee the recruitment, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and performance evaluations of routesetters.
• Provide photos and videos to Alta’s social media contributors so that they can share route setting updates and news with our followers.

Facility Management

• Ensure the organization and upkeep of routesetting workspaces.
• Report any damage to flooring and/or walls to the GM immediately. Create damage plans and assist in repairs as required.
• Coordinate with GM any time setting activities may interfere with normal gym operations (comp setting, wall repairs, etc).
• Coordinate with the GM to review incident reports on a regular basis.
• Oversee safety inspections, repairs, and record-keeping.
• Perform maintenance tasks such as wall cleaning, t-nut replacement, and general facility maintenance as needed.

REQUIREMENTS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Experience, Skills, and Qualifications

• Minimum of five years prior commercial setting experience.
• Management experience in the routesetting industry.
• USA Climbing Level 3 or higher certification preferred.
• Ability to effectively communicate and execute the company’s overall vision.
• Ability to set and forerun at minimum V8 boulders and 5.13 routes.

Environmental and Physical Demands

• Able to work in a loud, dynamic environment on a regular basis.
• Able to repeatedly lift, move, and carry up to 50 lbs of weight on a regular basis.
• Able to balance, kneel, pull, push, and grasp objects as needed.
• Comfortable speaking to and engaging with members of the community on a weekly basis.
• Comfortable working at height and moving up and down a climbing wall.
• Continuously stand and walk on unstable and uneven surfaces for long periods of time.
• Able to understand, execute, and instruct other route setters on industry-approved work-at-height practices to ensure occupational safety.
• Extended periods of sitting or standing may be required in an office or meeting setting.

Hours and Availability

• Full-time, 40 hours per week.
• Flexibility to work weekends and nights when applicable – during competitions or otherwise.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS, AND PERKS

• Annual salary $60,000 – $80,000 DOE
• Health benefits – health, vision and dental
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Quarterly setter exchanges
• Free membership to all Alta Climbing Gyms for yourself and immediate family
• Access to pro-deals through our outdoor industry partners

Head Routesetter and routesetting are “safety sensitive” positions and requires the employee to be drug free. Pre-employment drug tests will be performed for all employees. Violations will result in non-compensated suspension or dismissal.