Youth Program Instructor/Belayer

Session Climbing; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 2,204,000 - 3,031,000; Full time

Job summary

Session Climbing seeks a Youth Program Instructor/Belayer to guide kids 6–17 in a safe, engaging climbing environment. You will lead games, learn techniques, and reinforce proper etiquette, while coordinating with the Youth Program Coordinator on schedules and activities.

Applicants should be capable of belaying with PBUS, possess CPR/First Aid certification, and pass a background check. This role emphasizes teamwork, communication with families, and reliable attendance.

Qualifications

• Be able to belay using the PBUS method.
• Capable of creating and executing a vision for a Youth Climbing Program.
• Excellent communicator, motivator, and collaborator.
• CPR/First Aid certified.
• Able to pass a background check.

Responsibilities

• Facilitating and supporting group activities for ages 6-17.
• Collaborating to structure teaching and fun climbing experiences.
• Executing plans with games, technique instruction, and schedules.
• Provide a safe, welcoming environment for climbers to grow and learn.
• Guide children and parents on proper gym etiquette.
• Set up games and daily operations.
• Clean and break down equipment and spaces.
• Teach technique, equipment use, gym rules, and safety.
• Collaborate with instructors and other teams for day-to-day needs.
• Communicate with parents and youth program coordinator about schedules.
• Clock in/out using Paylocity and check communications daily.
• Maintain regular attendance and schedule adherence.

Skills

PBUS belay

Youth program design

Communication

CPR/First Aid

Background check

Job description

Description

JOB TITLE: Youth Program Instructor/Belayer
DEPARTMENT: Youth Programs

REPORTS TO: Sielya Parkinson
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

REVISED DATE: July 22nd, 2026

Summary

Session’s Youth Programs are designed to be a great opportunity for children and teens to learn the skills necessary to climb safely, the technique used to climb efficiently, and to gain confidence in themselves in a social and collaborative environment.

You will maintain a structure and environment to facilitate youth program participants in developing climbing skills, friendships, character, and the adoption of a growth mindset. This is achieved via a combination of climbing, fun and games, and team-building activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

[Note that this is not intended to restrict the tasks that may be assigned.]

• Facilitating and supporting group activities for a variety of ages and abilities, ranging between 6-17 year-olds
• Collaborating with the Youth Program Coordinator to create a structure for teaching kids important skills and facilitating fun climbing experiences
• Following through with plans that should include games, climbing technique instruction, group ice breakers, and schedules for each day
• Providing a safe and welcoming environment for climbers to grow and learn
• Act as a guide to children and parents on proper etiquette in the gym
• Setting up games, and day-to-day operations
• Cleaning and breaking down of any equipment or activities and all spaces used
• Teaching proper technique, how to use equipment, gym rules, and safety
• Working as a member of a team, you will interact with other crew members as well as other department teams
• Communicating effectively with other instructors on the team to discuss day-to-day activities and any needs for improvements
• Communicating respectfully and clearly with all parents and guardians
• Communicating with the Youth Program Coordinator about desired schedule or time off
• Properly clocking in and out using Paylocity
• Checking and replying to all communications via email each time you work
• Regular attendance and schedule adherence
• Other duties as assigned

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Temperature-controlled indoor work environment
• Exposure to airborne chalk particles

This job description is not an exclusive or exhaustive list of all job functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform from time to time. All employees are to maintain a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating in a manner so that they get along with customers, clients, coworkers, management, and stakeholders

Requirements

Required Skills and Abilities

To perform this job successfully, list the essential duties that an individual must perform satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Be able to belay using the P.B.U.S. method
• Capable of creating and executing a vision for a Youth Climbing Program
• Excellent communicator, motivator, and collaborator
• CPR/First Aid Certified
• Able to pass a background check

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Constantly: 6 or more hours
  • Ability to use hands to grasp and arms to reach to propel oneself up and down a climbing wall and/or use a belay device and rope system
  • Depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships)
  • Ability to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl
  • Ability to talk and hear
  • Ability to wear a harness, helmet
• Vision:
• Color Vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)