Head Routesetter

Mission

The Commons Climbing Gym serves the climbing community by providing a welcoming environment for personal growth, learning, and friendship.

As the Head Routesetter, you will oversee all route setting operations for The Commons. Our route setting is our product, and this role requires upholding the highest standards for quality and safety. The Head Routesetter helps define the climbing culture of the gym and ensures every climber — from beginner to advanced — feels challenged, supported, and excited to return.

• Manage, motivate, and inspire a diverse route setting crew, including contractors and employees.
• Hire, train, and supervise new route setters.
• Provide professional development and continued support for the setters.
• Supervise route setting, stripping, and hold-washing activities.
• Ensure route logs are accurate and up to date.
• Continually evaluate setters’ performance and provide feedback and mentoring as necessary.

• Work with the Manager to develop and work within monthly and annual budgets.
• Organize the route setting schedule to ensure timely turnover of routes and boulder problems while minimizing the impact on customers and programs.
• Ensure distribution of routes and problems meets the needs of all customers and program participants.
• Ensure that existing routes are maintained (replace route tags, tape, and broken holds, fix spinners, etc.).
• Organize and maintain the cleanliness of route setting storage areas.
• Ensure the inspection of walls, holds, bolts, tools, and equipment for damage on a regular basis.
• Conduct checks on all climbing gear in the gym (ropes, anchors, quick draws, rental equipment, landing systems auto belays, etc.).
• Perform all inspections recommended by EP (wall designers).
• Make sure that the gym is adequately stocked with replacement gear (ropes, belay devices, carabiners).
• Create proposals for holds/equipment orders.

• Act as Chief Route Setter for local competitions, including hiring and managing the route setting, stripping and hold washing crews, planning a distribution of routes/problems appropriate for the level and type of competition, and maintaining the competition route setting schedule.
• Provide support and act as primary liaison to Chief Route Setters for Regional, Divisional, and National Competitions.

• Become an active member of the local climbing community and respond to customer feedback.
• Ensure that new routes and problems are communicated through social media in a timely manner.
• Meet regularly with Head Coaches to ensure the setting program supports team training and development.
• Meet with the program coordinator and instructors to ensure the setting program meets the needs of all programs, lessons, and clinics.

• Ensure compliance with risk management plans to ensure the safety of setters, gym staff, and customers.
• Assist Management in updating and maintaining route setting policy and procedure documentation.
• Complete additional tasks and responsibilities as directed by facility management.

• Extensive climbing experience, including bouldering and sport climbing.
• Minimum 3+ years route setting experience, experience as a head route setter (preferred).
• USA Climbing Route Setting Level 2+ Certification (required).
• Ability to forerun 5.13a / V7 (preferred).

• 2+ years of applicable management experience (preferred).
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback and criticism.
• Excellent listening skills and willingness to accept and respond to…