Routesetter Crew Leader – NorCal

Touchstone Climbing owns and operates 18 climbing gyms across California. But we’re more than gyms — We’re a community. 

In addition to competitive pay, outstanding benefits, free gym membership, and other perks, joining our team connects you with all we have going on in our dynamic community.

About the Role

Touchstone Routesetting is looking for a Crew Leader in the Bay Area.

The Routesetter Crew Leader position is first and foremost a routesetting position. As a Crew Leader you are part of a collaborative team that will train, supervise, and lead the routesetting crews at the gym locations in the San Francisco Bay region.

The responsibilities below represent an outline of what is expected of the Crew Leader position, this is not a comprehensive list of the entire scope of possible work you may be expected to perform. Routesetting is a dynamic job and requires dynamic thinking and adaptability. The scope of this position is subject to change at any time. Consistent with Touchstone’s core value of ‘creativity’, the routesetting department and this position will evolve as we learn more and as needs change. Crew Leaders should expect change and work with the Head Routesetter and Director to make the department better.

Professional Expectations

• Provide excellent customer service.
• Be considerate, professional and non-defensive with members, guests and fellow co-workers.
• Self-motivated, able to identify and complete tasks with minimal hands-on supervision.
• Crew Leaders are eager to work as part of a team, including routesetters, desk staff, janitorial, facilities crew, and management.
• Always be safety conscious.
• Communicate in a timely, clear and effective manner with supervisors and coworkers, both in person and through email or Slack.
• Cultivate and maintain productive working relationships with gym managers.

  Safety Driven

• Crew Leaders work with the Head Routesetter and other Crew Leaders to coordinate safety checks.
• Be vigilant of wear and tear on our gear and tools.
• Ensure crew members are using personal protection devices consistent with Touchstone’s Routesetting Safety Philosophy and the guidelines in the Routesetting Manual.
• Address safety deviations or lapses immediately and without bias.

  Leading a Crew of Routesetters

• Work to maintain a good distribution of grades, styles and aesthetics in the gyms in a manner consistent with the guidelines within Touchstone’s Routesetting Manual.
• Implement climbing distribution adjustments to address seasonal or event-based changes to gym needs.
• Motivate and encourage the crew daily while keeping them on task.
  Be the first to jump on a less desirable task. Go behind the wall for spinners, do your share of wash.
• Set great easy and moderate climbs!
• Make tweaks to your routes, welcome the input of other setters, make changes when they are suggested, offer gratitude for the suggestions.
  Thoroughly report and document routesetting changes or related incidents.

Employee Training

• Take a proactive role in the training of routesetters.
• Collaborate with the other Crew Leaders, the Head Routesetter, and veteran routesetters in the training of all new routesetters and apprentices.

Physical and Skill Requirements

• Be comfortable working from a ladder, in a harness, on a rope, and at heights up to 60 feet.
• Able to use common hand tools and comfortable learning to use some light power tools.
• Must have the ability to safely lift a minimum of 50 lbs. without assistance.
• Able to haul up to 50 lbs. of setting materials and equipment while harnessed and setting routes.
• Be able to top rope a minimum of 5.11a and boulder v4 daily. Expertly belay climbers on top-rope and lead.
• Able to work in various environmental conditions such as tight or enclosed spaces, at height, and in temperature extremes to complete work assignments.
• Walk, sit, and generally move about to maximize health and well being at the workplace.
• Routesetters engage daily in a physically demanding job, which often requires bending at the waist and neck, sitting, kneeling, and climbing. Setters are expected to take care of their bodies outside of work so that they are able to be full contributors at work.

Travel

• Traveling to various work locations/sites is required.

Benefits

At Touchstone, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package for full time employees, including:

• Health Insurance – Choose from two Kaiser Permanente plans:
• • 90% employer-paid coverage for employees and 70% for dependents of Kaiser’s top-tier, no-deductible, low-copay plan
  • 100% employer-paid coverage for employees and 70% for dependents of a higher-deductible Kaiser plan
• Dental Insurance – 80% employer-paid coverage for employees and 65% for dependents
• Vision Plan – 100% employer-paid coverage for employees and 70% for dependents
• Medical FSA – All employees are eligible to make Pre-tax contributions to a Flexible Spending Account for medical expenses
• Mental Health Services – Access to Modern Health and Calm
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Employer match available
• Paid Time Off – Vacation and sick leave provided
• Free Gym Membership – Access to all Touchstone facilities for employee and a +1 membership for a partner, family member, or friend
• Guest Passes – Unlimited guest passes to get a non-member entry to a gym free of charge when accompanied by the employee
• Pro Deals & Staff Discounts – Discounts on gear purchased at our gyms and industry pro deals
• Flexible Work Schedule – Supporting work-life balance

We believe in fostering a supportive and rewarding work environment where our employees can thrive.