Head Route Setter

Position: Head Route Setter Position
Location: Climb Yukon Collective, Whitehorse, YT
Employment type: Contract/ Full Time (40 hr per week)
Start date: August 2025
Salary: $55 - $67k annually based on Experience
Application deadline: June 1st or until filled

Are you stoked on climbing? Are you passionate about community, collaboration, and working alongside other like-minded people? We’re looking for a professional, experienced, and personable individual to join our team as Head Route Setter at northern Canada’s first large-scale indoor climbing facility!

With 3000 square feet of wall space for both bouldering and ropes, we’re seeking someone who can support the opening and operations of a brand new state-of-the-art facility.

Where you’ll work: Climb Yukon Collective is located in Whitehorse, Yukon, on the traditional territories of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta'an Kwäch'än Council. Your office boasts stunning mountain views and sits right next to the mighty Yukon River in the heart of Whistlebend, Whitehorse’s fastest growing neighbourhood.

Life in Whitehorse is pretty great, with something for everyone! As a major hub along the Alaska Highway, Whitehorse has major grocery stores, diverse restaurants and bars, a vibrant arts scene, and plenty of schools. The “Wilderness City” has no shortage of recreation opportunities suitable for singles, families, and old timers! Summers are for world-class mountain biking, expedition or adventure paddling, climbing, and endless hiking under the Midnight Sun. Winter is made for cross-country skiing (we produce Olympians, no big deal), neighborhood shinny, lake skates, resort skiing, ice dunks under the Northern Lights, and touring in our vast backcountry.

This strong community puts on endless events and gatherings, celebrates Indigenous leadership and culture, welcomes a diversity of backgrounds and experiences, and realizes that we’re all better when we live, work, and play together.

Key Responsibilities

Route Setting & Gym Experience

Design, set, and forerun high-quality boulder/top rope and lead climbs catering to various skill levels and movement styles.
Maintain a consistent and engaging setting schedule, ensuring a balance of grades and styles.
Implement creative and innovative setting techniques, including both traditional and competition-style routes/problems.
Regularly inspect and maintain climbing holds, volumes, associated equipment and wall surfaces for quality and safety.
Gather feedback from the climbing community and adjust settings to improve the overall gym experience.

Leadership & Team Management

Recruit, train, and lead a team of route setters, fostering a positive and productive setting culture.
Organize and oversee part-time setters and volunteers to maintain a consistent rotation of routes/problems.
Train, and provide mentorship, and professional development opportunities for floor staff and volunteers involved in setting.
Collaborate with management on long-term route-setting strategies and vision.

Safety & Maintenance

Enforce proper safety practices related to route setting, including personal protective equipment (PPE) usage and risk management protocols.
Ensure compliance with industry safety standards for climbing gym operations.
Conduct routine inspections to address spinning holds, structural integrity, and general maintenance.
Oversee inventory management for holds, tools, and setting equipment.

Program Coordination and Events

Be an approachable and active leader within the Climb Yukon Collective community.
Work alongside management and the board of directors to plan and facilitate gym competitions, events, and member engagement activities.
Lead and work alongside management to coordinate and implement gym based clinics, classes, and special booking groups.
Coordination and implementation of facility clinics, camps, school groups, and bookings.
Represent Climb Yukon Collective in the local climbing scene and encourage community involvement.

Qualifications

Required:

Priority given to those with 3-5+ years of commercial routesetting experience.
Experience in a leadership or management role within a climbing gym setting.
Ability to set efficiently while maintaining high-quality routes.
Strong understanding of climbing movement, techniques, and training principles.
Physical capability to lift holds/volumes, operate power tools, and work at heights on a man lift or on ropes.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
Valid first aid and CPR certification

Preferred:

Familiarity with smaller gym cultures and community-driven climbing spaces.
Competition route-setting experience (routes and boulders).
Ability to climb V8 and lead 5.12.
Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) Climbing Gym Instructor (CGI) level 1 or 2.
Relevant route-setting certifications.

How to Apply

If you’re excited to be a key part of the Climb Yukon Collective opening team and help shape the climbing experience for our members, we’d love to hear from you!

Please submit your resume, a cover letter detailing your relevant experience, and any portfolio materials (photos/videos of prior setting work) to admin@climbyukon.com. Only successful applicants will be contacted for an interview.

Come join us in building something special at Climb Yukon Collective! We look forward to hearing from you.