Head route setter – To open a new bouldering and rock climbing gym in Darwin, Australia!
The head route setter is a leadership role requiring strong technical skills, a commitment to customer experience, and team management skills. Gecko Climb is Darwin’s only bouldering and rock-climbing gym with 300sqm of bouldering surface and 220sqm (15 stations) of roped climbing. Due to the size of Gecko Climb, the head route setting position will be 0.6FTE (~23 hours per week) however it could be combined with a coaching position for a full-time position for candidates with experience in both route setting and coaching.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Leadership and Team Management
- Oversee the routesetting program, ensuring alignment with Gecko Climb’s standards for quality, grading consistency, and customer experience.
- Hire, train, and mentor a small team of route setters, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
- Act as a leader within the facility, interacting with members and guests to build community and gather feedback on route setting.
- Provide ongoing training to team members, focusing on routesetting skill development and safety protocols.
- Maintain open communication with the General Manager and other staff to meet the facility’s needs.
Administrative Duties
- Plan, schedule, and manage regular route setting activities, including stripping holds, washing holds, and route setting.
- Manage the route setting budget, including hold orders, tools, and supplies.
- Ensure compliance with Gecko Climb’s and industry safety standards and policies for work-at-height practices.
- Coordinate with the General Manager to implement feedback and adjust routes to accommodate events, competitions, and programming needs.
- Participate in facility meetings, contributing to strategic planning.
Facility Management
- Organise and maintain routesetting inventory, workspaces, and equipment.
- Oversee the procurement of holds, volumes, and tools.
- Perform maintenance tasks, including wall cleaning, t-nut replacement, and addressing member-reported issues such as spinners or damaged holds.
- Ensuring a safe work area – cordoned off setting area, ensuring appropriate PPE is
worn, i.e. safety glasses, ear protection, helmet etc. - Support the overall facility’s maintenance needs and coordinate with the General Manager on projects affecting gym operations.
Requirements and Physical Demands:
Experience, Skills, and Qualifications
- Minimum of three years of commercial route setting experience.
- Proven management experience in route setting or a related field.
- Ability to set and forerun at V8 boulders and 25 climbing routes.
- Strong communication and leadership skills to execute Gecko Climb’s vision and standards.
Physical Demands
- Comfortable working at height and moving up and down climbing walls.
- Ability to carry and use the required mechanical hardware – e.g. an Impact driver.
- Able to lift, carry, and move up to 20kgs regularly.
- Comfortable working in a dynamic, loud environment with uneven surfaces.
- Able to stand, kneel, balance, push, and pull objects as needed.
