Assistant Head Setter

Climbing Business Journal; East Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 40,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free couples membership to Terra Firma

Annual bonus tied to performance

In-gym retail discounts

Two pairs of climbing shoes per year

Job summary

Terra Firma Bouldering Co. is seeking an Assistant Head Setter at Terra Firma East Lansing to lead the route setting team, curate inspiring climbs, and ensure safety across the walls.

You will work on creative leadership, scheduling, and collaboration with gym leadership, with a mix of wall upkeep, setting, and program support. The role emphasizes community, growth, and joyful effort within our East Lansing gym.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of professional route setting experience, including team leadership.
• Proven experience setting a wide range of grades and styles.
• Strong understanding of risk management and professional industry best practices.
• Experience setting for competitions or high-traffic commercial gyms a plus.
• Ability to lift 50+ lbs, work at height and on ladders, and use power tools confidently.
• Ability to set and forerun all varieties of routes up to a V9 boulder problem.

Responsibilities

• Creative Leadership: Assist in the artistic and athletic direction of all bouldering routes and features.
• Team Management: Lead, mentor, and manage the route setting team, including full-time routesetters, part-time, and contracted setters.
• Scheduling: Help develop and manage setting schedules to ensure consistent turnover and proper coverage across all gym areas.
• Quality Control: Maintain high standards for movement style, aesthetics, and range of difficulty. Regularly review and adjust the setting plan based on feedback and usage.
• Event Setting: Plan and oversee setting for competitions, events, and specialty nights.
• Risk Management: Ensure all routes meet safety standards and that proper equipment and protocols are followed. Follow up on any injuries that occur directly from walls, holds, mats, pads, or setting
• Community Engagement: Work with members, managers, and climbing community to gather feedback and shape setting based on climber needs and demographics.
• Training & Development: Help create and lead setter training programs to grow skill sets and ensure consistent quality across all climbs. Utilize team building exercises and outings to build a strong connected team.
• Collaboration: Coordinate with gym leadership, operations, and marketing teams on overall gym experience, programming, and promotional efforts.
• Wall and Fallzone Upkeep: You are responsible for the area from the edge of the mat to the top of the walls. Ensuring that the condition of this area is upheld and in good functional condition to ensure we are providing the best possible experience for our visitors.
• Management of Route Tracking Software: You will assist in the upkeep of Kaya, our platform for tracking and sharing current route information.
• Scorecard Tracking: Uphold standards set on scorecard with consistent achievement of goals.

Skills

Route setting

Team leadership

Risk management

Competitions experience

Communication

Kaya platform

Tools

Kaya route tracking

Job description

Vision

Showing up fully for ourselves, so we may better show up for others.

Vision

Showing up fully for ourselves, so we may better show up for others.

Mission

A place where community grows through connection and joyful effort.

Statement (North Star)

To create a space of refuge through climbing

Values

Growth

We cultivate an investigative mind, curious, open, and willing to explore new possibilities. Just because something has been done one way before doesn't mean we can't ask, What else can we learn here? We move forward confidently, knowing exploration is how we grow stronger.

Community

We believe that it's not our job to decide who's part of our community, but it is our job to make them feel a part of it. If they climb, they are a climber in this community. We cultivate a space where everyone belongs.

Connection

On and off the wall, we practice being present, connecting deeply with ourselves and others. When our attention falters, as in climbing, we fall.

Joyful Effort

The problem is the path. Through mindful effort, we approach challenge as an opportunity to grow, staying aware of where our energy goes and how we show up. Our attitude shapes the joy we find in the process.

About Us

Terra Firma Bouldering Co. is more than a gym—it’s a community built on joyful effort, meaningful connection, and shared growth. We create a space where climbers of all levels feel welcome, supported, and inspired. Together, we cultivate an experience rooted in care, fueled by joy, and grounded in community.

Summary

As the Assistant Head Setter, you will be responsible for assisting in leading the route setting team at Terra Firma East Lansing. You'll ensure a diverse, inspiring, and safe selection of climbs that reflect our values and meet the needs of our climbing community. This role blends creative leadership, team management, and strategic planning. Your responsibility consists of wall upkeep, setting, and ensuring we stay on the cutting edge of climbing trends and techniques.

Additionally, to fill the gaps in your schedule when not able to get 40 hours route setting you will be tasked with helping with programs, events/outreach or even front desk. The split between route setting and all other responsibilities listed above are subject to change based on the gym’s needs which is determined by the gym manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Creative Leadership: Assist in the artistic and athletic direction of all bouldering routes and features.
• Team Management: Lead, mentor, and manage the route setting team, including full-time routesetters, part-time, and contracted setters.
• Scheduling: Help develop and manage setting schedules to ensure consistent turnover and proper coverage across all gym areas.
• Quality Control: Maintain high standards for movement style, aesthetics, and range of difficulty. Regularly review and adjust the setting plan based on feedback and usage.
• Event Setting: Plan and oversee setting for competitions, events, and specialty nights.
• Risk Management: Ensure all routes meet safety standards and that proper equipment and protocols are followed. Follow up on any injuries that occur directly from walls, holds, mats, pads, or setting
• Community Engagement: Work with members, managers, and climbing community to gather feedback and shape setting based on climber needs and demographics.
• Training & Development: Help create and lead setter training programs to grow skill sets and ensure consistent quality across all climbs. Utilize team building exercises and outings to build a strong connected team.
• Collaboration: Coordinate with gym leadership, operations, and marketing teams on overall gym experience, programming, and promotional efforts.
• Wall and Fallzone Upkeep: You are responsible for the area from the edge of the mat to the top of the walls. Ensuring that the condition of this area is upheld and in good functional condition to ensure we are providing the best possible experience for our visitors.
• Management of Route Tracking Software: You will assist in the upkeep of Kaya, our platform for tracking and sharing current route information.
• Scorecard Tracking: Uphold standards set on scorecard with consistent achievement of goals.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of professional route setting experience, including team leadership
• Proven experience setting a wide range of grades and styles
• Strong understanding of risk management and professional industry best practices
• Experience setting for competitions or high-traffic commercial gyms a plus
• Ability to lift 50+ lbs, work at height and on ladders, and use power tools confidently
• Ability to set and forerun all varieties of routes up to a V9 boulder problem.

Skills

• Strong leadership and team-building abilities with ability to manage cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to think strategically and execute weekly setting plans effectively
• Managing team efforts in route-removal, setting, and forerunning efficiently

Assistant Head Setter Compensation

Rate of Pay:

• $40,000 - $44,000 Annual Salary DOE, 40 hours per week

Additional Benefits

• Free couples membership to Terra Firma
• Annual bonus tied to individual and company-wide performance.
• Industry pro deals and in-gym retail discounts.
• Two pairs of climbing shoes per year, up to $250 per pair.
• Coverage of growth based classes, seminars, conventions up to $800/yr (upon approval).
• Mileage Reimbursement, Travel Allowance M&IE, & Lodging [standard mileage reimbursement] [$50 per day travel allowance M&IE] [Lodging up to $110 per night]
• 2 weeks paid time off