Routesetter

Climbing Business Journal; New York (NY); On-site; USD 39,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Mental Health Program

401(K) Matching

Paid Time Off

Structured Wage Increases

Employee Membership + Family/Friends

Job summary

VITAL is seeking route setters to create engaging boulder problems for climbers of all levels. You will work in small teams with the Head Routesetter to forerun climbs, maintain consistency with VITAL’s grading, and mentor apprentices through the program.

The role emphasizes forerunning, feedback exchange, wall upkeep, and active involvement in the climbing community. Lifting, height work, and power-tool use are required.

Qualifications

• At least 2-3 years of commercial routesetting experience.
• At least 3 years of climbing experience, indoor and outdoor preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of climbing technique and movement.
• Creative thinking and problem solving.
• Actively involved in the climbing community.
• Able to work with a team to give and receive constructive criticism.
• Ability to work independently.
• Comfortable working on ladders with tools at height.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and stand or walk for prolonged periods of time.
• Experience with hand-held power tools (impact driver, angle grinder)
• Ability to climb up to V8, set and forerun boulders past onsight limit.

Responsibilities

• Create a variety of fun and accessible commercial boulder problems for climbers of different experience levels
• Forerun and adjust boulder resets in a group environment
• Provide and receive feedback regarding the routesetting
• Participate in mentoring upcoming setters in the apprenticeship program
• Assist the Setter Support Crew with wall stripping, washing, and sorting holds when necessary
• Keep an organized and clean work area
• Manage risk daily in the facility’s climbing areas
• Maintain climbing walls and volumes, including t-nut replacement, re-painting, and general repairs
• Support and be involved with competitions, events and workshops

Skills

Creative thinking

Problem solving

Teamwork

Independence

Ladders at height

Power tools experience

Climbing knowledge

Feedback culture

Tools

Impact driver

Angle grinder

Job description

About Vital

Our mission at VITAL is to create places that people love. While our gyms focus on bouldering, we also offer programs such as yoga, aerial, cycle, and fitness. VITAL gyms are open to members 24/7. We’re open to the public during the day, but only members can unlock the door at night. The sense of trust and ownership this inspires is part of what makes the VITAL community special.

We are optimists at heart, which means that we believe in our customers and in our team.

WE BELIEVE IN OUR CUSTOMERS.

We build and operate our gyms to such a high standard because everyone deserves to be a part of something wonderful. The relationships people form at VITAL enrich life and lead to new adventures. By living out our belief in our customers they, in turn, believe in one another. This reciprocal goodwill makes VITAL more than just a gym, it becomes part of a full and connected life.

WE BELIEVE IN OUR TEAM.

We believe that the best team is one that is unified and working hard towards a shared vision. Being part of such a team is challenging, and also rewarding. We support and invest in the people who work here with the goal of bringing up great leaders prepared to take on challenges at work and beyond.

THE POSITION

VITAL Route Setters are tasked with creating thought-provoking, challenging, and accessible boulder problems for climbers of all ages and skill levels. Route Setters work in small teams alongside the Head Routesetter to collaborate and work efficiently in creating boulder problems. They are responsible for forerunning climbs to ensure the problems are consistent with VITAL’s grading system. Additionally, Route Setters are expected to take part in the mentorship of apprentices through the VITAL Apprenticeship program.

Job Responsibilities

• Create a variety of fun and accessible commercial boulder problems for climbers of different experience levels
• Forerun and adjust boulder resets in a group environment
• Provide and receive feedback regarding the routesetting
• Participate in mentoring upcoming setters in the apprenticeship program
• Assist the Setter Support Crew with wall stripping, washing, and sorting holds when necessary
• Keep an organized and clean work area
• Manage risk daily in the facility’s climbing areas
• Maintain climbing walls and volumes, including t-nut replacement, re-painting, and general repairs
• Support and be involved with competitions, events and workshops

Compensation And Benefits

• $30 hour
• Structured Wage Increases
• Paid Time Off
• Health Insurance
• Mental Health Program
• 401(K) Matching
• Additional Internal Benefits Programs
• Employee Membership + Family/Friends Offer

Qualifications

• At least 2-3 years of commercial routesetting experience
• At least 3 years of climbing experience, both indoor and outdoor preferred
• In-depth knowledge of climbing technique and movement
• Creative thinking and problem solving
• Actively involved in the climbing community
• Able to work with a team to give and receive constructive criticism
• Ability to work independently
• Comfortable working on ladders with tools at height
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and be able to stand or walk for prolonged periods of time
• Experience working with hand-held power tools (impact driver, angle grinder, etc)
• Ability to climb up to V8, set and forerun boulders past on-sight limit

We encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.