Head Route Setter
Routesetter
Full Time
Posted: March 12, 2025
Closes: April 17, 2025
Head Route Setter
Sessions Climbing + Fitness is a hub for the community to share the sport of climbing and the beauty of movement indoors and outdoors…located minutes from iconic bouldering location – Hueco Tanks!
The Head Route Setter is responsible for leading a team of various skilled route setters in the day-to-day creation of boulder, top rope and sport routes. High quality routes that pair with the wants and needs of the community are paramount to the success of our climbing gym.
All our route setters are well recognized and respected within our community. The Head Route setter is the most accessible to community members and staff for inspiration, guidance and feedback. The Head Setter must be passionate, willing to work hard physically and mentally, promote team collaboration, and provide excellent risk assessment.
This role oversees and leads our established route setting apprenticeship program designed to fill our part-time route setter pipeline for all terrains.
The successful candidate will ensure setting and climbing safety, expert-level use of gear and equipment, and be confident in their ability to learn, study current community and team needs, and adapt accordingly. Applicants with coaching experience will receive additional consideration over other candidates. Above all else, applicants need to have a strong desire to be part of the local community.
Success in this role is monitored through specific reports and key performance indicators (KPIs) that have been strategically developed based on the industry’s best practices.
Our Mission:
Sessions Climbing + Fitness’s mission is to provide the first full service indoor rock-climbing facility in El Paso, providing residents and visitors with a place to pursue adventure, seek new challenges, socialize with other active people, and exercise while having fun.
You will be responsible for:
Team Management:
Hire, train, and manage the route setting team by scheduling and evaluating performance, set clear objectives for each route setting day by assigning grades, locations, and goals, and collaborating with the General Manager to manage the department’s budget for payroll, supplies, and expenses.
Route Setting Excellence:
Ensure route setting excellence by introducing new climbing and bouldering problems on a rotation schedule, maintaining a diverse and safe range of climbs across all terrains, performing necessary upkeep such as inspecting anchors and tightening holds, and pursuing professional development in route setting and gym safety as budget and management allow.
Safety Oversight:
Oversee safety protocols during route setting activities by ensuring compliance with safety policies, developing and implementing risk management standards, responding to incidents, spinning holds, and facility requests related to flooring, walls, routes, and gear.
Performance Tracking:
Track and report on departmental KPIs and optimize setting to established department budget.
Leadership and Community Engagement:
Provide leadership and mentorship to the route setting team by fostering a collaborative environment, guiding apprentices, and acting as a professional role model; serve as a key ambassador between the route setting department and gym members to enhance customer experience; and oversee route setting for all Sessions competitions.
Communication:
Communicate effectively with staff, other departments and General Manager, while promptly responding to requests via Click Up, email, Homebase, and WhatsApp, serving as the liaison between the route setting department and the climbing community, and advising gym management on issues, events, and projects related to route setting and overall gym operations.
You will be consulted for:
- Policy development
- Leadership strategy
- Staffing needs
- Construction projects
- Space usage
You will be informed about:
- Policy and procedure updates
- Changes specific to the facility
- Ongoing training opportunities
Requirements:
- At least two years’ experience confidently climbing, setting, and forerunning a variety of terrain to include top rope (5.13), lead (5.12) and boulder (V8) routes
- Ability to communicate clearly with peers and the community
- Experience with and knowledge of proper use of safety, climbing, and work at heights equipment
- Confidence in standing up to strangers and those you care about when it comes to following rules and upholding the values of the company
- Ability to lift 50 pounds
- Ability to work on uneven surfaces, up to 14-foot ladders, and use power tools such as impact drivers, angle grinders, drills, and power washers.
- Knowledge of safe climbing techniques including the ability to tie basic climbing knots such as figure-8, super-8, and clove hitch, how to belay with a gri-gri, how to lead climb, and how to safely fall
- Friendly, enthusiastic attitude, able to easily exhibit warmth and empathy
- Tech savvy enough to use and apply a wide variety of applications, including Homebase, Google Drive, Gmail, Click Up, WhatsApp, and Kaya/Plastick
- Uphold company values and use the mission statement to guide decisions
What we have to offer:
- An annual salary of $40,000 – 42,000, depending on qualifications and experience, paid every two weeks, based on 36-40 hours per week. The opportunity for up to $5,000 annual bonus based on exceeding monthly KPIs.
- 1.5 vacation days per month
- 1 sick day per month
- Other leave may be granted for various lengths to be determined on a case-by-case basis.
- Gym membership for self plus one immediate family member
- Retail and merchandise discounts
We are an equal-opportunity employer that welcomes diverse voices and experiences aligned with the vision of our organization: cultivate a community of passionate climbers through community driven and inspired programming, operations, and route setting.
Application URL: Email your resume with cover letter with salary expectations to: [email protected] by April 17, 2025
Application Deadline: April 17, 2025
Initial virtual interviews with top candidates to be conducted by April 30, 2025
