Head Routesetter

Climbing Business Journal; Boise (ID); On-site; USD 34,440 - 44,083; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Gym membership for you

Industry pro-deals

Flexible schedule

Job summary

The Commons Climbing Gym is seeking a Head Routesetter in Boise, Idaho. You will oversee all routesetting operations, lead a diverse crew, and define the gym's climbing culture while ensuring safety and quality across beginner to advanced routes.

Responsibilities include staff management, wall maintenance, budgeting, event coordination, and strong collaboration with coaches to support training programs. Flexible hours and a dynamic gym environment offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years route setting experience; head route setter preferred.
• Strong leadership and team management abilities.
• Proven commitment to safety and quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all route setting operations to ensure high-quality, safe climbs.
• Lead and develop routesetting staff, including contractors and employees.
• Coordinate wall maintenance, budgeting, and scheduling.
• Plan and execute competitions and events with appropriate route distribution.
• Communicate with coaches and instructors to align setting with programs.

Skills

Climbing experience

Routesetting experience

Management experience

Communication skills

Safety awareness

Education

USA Climbing Route Setting Level 2+ Certification

Head routesetter (preferred)

Tools

Kaya (Plastick)

Job description

Mission

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

Summary

As the Head Routesetter, you will oversee all route setting operations for The Commons. Our routesetting 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.

Duties & Responsibilities

Manage Routesetting Staff

• 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.

Manage Routesetting Program and Wall Maintenance

• 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, quickdraws, rental equipment, landing systems autobelays, 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.

Manage Competitions and Special Events

• 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.

Communication and Coordination

• 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.

Other Responsibilities

• 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.

Experience & Qualifications

Climbing and Routesetting Experience

• 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).

Management and Communication

• 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 feedback.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with a diverse clientele.
• Experience with Kaya (Plastick) (preferred).

Industrial and Maintenance Skills

• Experience and comfort working at heights.
• Extensive rope and anchoring skills.
• Climbing wall construction and maintenance experience (preferred).

Expectations

• Estimated 30 hours per week, flexible.
• Availability to work as needed.
• Must be dependable and punctual.
• Must display professionalism and integrity.
• Availability to work special events, clinics, and competitions.
• Availability to work at other facilities for Competitions and special events.

Physical Demands / Work Environment

• Will work in a gym environment where subject to working around others and independently, primarily indoors with a moderate noise level.
• Lifts and carries materials and equipment up to 25 lbs, occasionally up to 50 lbs. Pushes and pulls objects.
• Requires sufficient dexterity to operate office, computer, technical, or other equipment.
• Will regularly stand, walk, sit, reach, grasp, stoop, bend, or kneel throughout the workday.

Pay and Benefits

• Compensation $25-32/hour, depending on experience.
• Paid time off.
• Gym membership for yourself and a plus-one.
• Industry pro-deals.
• Flexible schedule.

Application

To apply, please email your cover letter, climbing resume, and professional resume to: The Commons Climbing Gym [e-mail].

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Commons Climbing Gym is an equal-opportunity employer committed to inclusion and diversity. We ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.