Head Routsetter

Goat Climbing Gym 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 Goat’s routesetting operations, ensuring consistent quality, safety, and alignment with Goat’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.

Goat’s Comp history

2024

• USAC Sport Youth Divisionals host
• USAC Sport Youth & Collegiate QE host

2023

• USAC Sport Youth Regionals host
• USAC Sport & Boulder Collegiate NQE host
• USAC Youth  & Collegiate Boulder & Sport QE host

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leadership and Team Management
• The responsibilities of this role include all tasks associated with a full-time routesetter and staff at Goat Climbing Gym, including, but not limited to, stripping, washing, and regular routesetting, scheduled customer and team integration projects.
• Uphold the WAH standards and practices of the routesetting program, executing the overall vision for routesetting excellence.
• Foster a positive, supportive, and cohesive work environment that aligns with Goat’s values and promotes customer satisfaction.
• Contribute to Goat’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 Goat 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 Goat.
• 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 Goat’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 .
• Proficient in MS Office and Google software (Drive, Calendar, etc).

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  routesetters 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 commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Free membership to all Goat Climbing Gym for yourself and your partner.
• Access to pro-deals through our outdoor industry partners.