Help shape the climbing identity of a new bouldering gym from day one, as a key member of our gym’s leadership team. Off Grid is opening in York, PA, and we’re looking for a Head Routesetter who’s excited to build a modern, creative, and differentiated setting program with the ability to shape outcomes from the beginning, leaving your mark on a gym and community. While setting hard climbs is important, the right person will have a good grasp of the interlock between setting style, customer experience, and gym outcomes.
About Off Grid Climbing & Fitness
Off Grid is a family-owned bouldering focused climbing gym built around adventure, community, and the pursuit of excellence. Our mission is to elevate climbing in Central Pennsylvania and inspire a spirit of adventure – inside the gym and out. We value adventure, energy, passion, integrity, a team first mindset, and authenticity. A good fit for our team will embody those values in a way that is unique to themselves. Our gym will feature cutting edge climbing, training, fitness, and recovery options – like a traditional sauna and cold plunges!
Why Pennsylvania?
We’re minutes from some amazing local lead and boulder climbing areas, with hundreds of routes and thousands of boulder problems ranging from beginner to open projects. We’re also within striking distance of iconic locations like the Gunks, New River Gorge, Seneca Rocks, and other east coast climbing areas. In the off-season ski slopes, white water rafting, and tons of mountain biking options are readily available.
Pennsylvania is consistently ranked as one of the best low cost-of-living areas in the US, and as one of the most affordable places to retire. It’s convenient to several airports with direct flights around the US and world, and easily day-trip-able to Philadelphia, Baltimore, and NYC. The wilds of West Virginia are a great place to get off the grid on weekends too.
Head Routesetter
As Off Grid’s head routesetter, you’ll be the creative and operational leader of all things climbing. You’ll have significant autonomy to shape our setting program and our gym’s climbing identity, building a team that reflects your vision. We’re looking for someone ready to take a leadership role, and who is excited for the opportunities that can come with opening a new gym.
You’ll lead our gyms:
- Wall & Hold Design & Purchase: Lead the opening-day set and influence wall layout, hold selection, equipment selection, and other pre-opening factors.
- Route Setting Strategy & Creative Direction: Building a cohesive and progressive setting philosophy for all ability levels, design high-quality and modern boulders reflective of Off Grid’s identity, manage the entire route setting process from end to end, and track sets for distribution, quality, and timeline to improve efficiency.
- Team Leadership & Culture: Lead & influence the hiring and development of the setting team, foster a collaborative crew, and oversee daily setting operations
- Safety & Maintenance: Develop and maintain safety procedures for the maintenance and inspection of all climbing equipment, manage hold and volume inventory, and ensure climbing terrain exceeds industry standards
- Innovation & Industry Engagement: Stay current with industry trends and best practices, and be supported to attend workshops, competitions, and continuing education opportunities, representing Off Grid within the broader climbing community.
What you’ll Bring
Minimum Qualifications:
- 3+ years of experience as a senior or lead setter in a commercial gym
- Ability to set and forerun all varieties of routes up to a V9 boulder problem.
- Proven ability to lead, motivate, and mentor a team of route setters
- Ability to lift 50+ lbs, work at height and on ladders, and use power tools confidently
Preferred Qualifications:
- USAC or equivalent setter certifications
- Experience as a head route setter
- Demonstrated success in designing innovative, progressive route sets
- Experience with climbing wall maintenance, repair, and equipment management
- Budgeting, planning, and project management experience
Compensation & Benefits:
- Competitive compensation plan based on experience, credentials, and fit from $50,000 – $75,000
- We’re open to discuss performance bonus and compensation tied to the gym’s success and growth for well-qualified setters.
- Discounted family membership, paid time off, paid holidays, and additional training and learning opportunities
If you’re ready to put your route setting skills and leadership experience to work at an innovative new climbing gym, we’d love to hear from you. Please submit your resume and a brief note why you’d be a good fit for this opportunity.
