Lead Route Setter & Creative Team Mentor

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

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.