Work for Us

Thanks for your interest in Vertical World employment!

Mission Statement:
As a company we strive to provide the best customer service, route setting, music, and cleanliness to
our customers on a daily basis. We treat all customer interactions as if we are serving our friends or
family. We accomplish this by hiring employee associates who care about climbing and our customers
and provide them with the training and motivation to give great customer service.

We are currently hiring (click position for more info):

CLIMBING INSTRUCTOR

ROUTESETTER

CLIMBING INSTRUCTOR

Climbing Instructors teach rock climbing classes, private lessons, and programs to both adult and youth clients. Classes and adult programs run on a set schedule while private lessons are scheduled on a case-by-case basis. Instructional staff are critical representatives of Vertical World that share knowledge and build competence in technical skills for all climbing abilities.

Location: Vertical World North

Hours: 2 – 40 hrs per week (Part Time or Full Time)

· Must be available nights and/or weekends

Reports to: Head Instructor

Compensation: $20.80 – $22 hourly

This position has the potential to combine with other duties at VW to create a full-time position and is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, VW reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed.

Responsibilities:

  • Teach Vertical World Instructional offerings
    • Maintain consistent and thorough offering notes
    • Prompt offering preparation and clean-up
    • Implement skill-appropriate lessons plans for private lessons
    • Adapt instructional methods to the needs of the clients
  • Uphold clear and respectful communication
  • Balance of risk management, technical skill, and fun in every offering
  • Work independently and in cooperation with co-instructors
  • Ensure clients are going through all necessary processes to use gym equipment
  • Manage diverse abilities and interest levels within each offering
  • Promptly respond to all email and other communications from gym management and coordinators
  • Other duties or tasks delegated by Manager or Head Instructor

Expectations/Values:

  • Thorough knowledge of climbing instruction, rock climbing equipment, training, and technical skills
  • Excels in communication, including introducing complicated information
  • Ability to work with a wide range of learning styles/personalities
  • Uphold the highest possible standard of care and instruction
  • Have great enthusiasm for the job
  • Support a positive team-work environment
    • Work collaboratively with all VW staff to achieve our goals
    • Self-motivated and utilizes Vertical World resources to support instruction
  • Show initiative to learn and adapt to situations that benefit VW and its climbers
  • Maintain professional instructional presentation
  • Always follow VW practices and standards

Preferred Experience and Abilities:

  • Wilderness First Responder or EMT (WFR or REMT) preferred
  • AMGA SPI or equivalate preferred
  • Self-motivated, hard-working, and able to act independently
  • Previous experience working in an environment where feedback/constructive criticism is welcomed and desired
  • Ability to deal with difficult circumstances with a positive attitude
  • Ability to lead climb, trad climb, and boulder
  • Experience instructing in both indoor and outdoor settings
  • Ability to assist with transport of clients for outdoor offerings if necessary

Requirements:

  • Attend all required staff meetings and 1:1’s with supervisors
  • VW Top Rope Certified
  • Current First Aid certification and SafeSport certification
    • Can be completed within first 3 months of employment

Benefits:

  • Free VW Membership
  • Pro Deal and industry discounts
  • Combined Sick/PTO
  • Company matching retirement plan

To apply, please send resume and cover letter to Devin

EXPERIENCED ROUTESETTER

Routesetting exists at the core of the climbing gym industry and is an integral part of the success or failure of a climbing gym. Great routes/boulders influence every aspect of a VW facility. From setting routes for our everyday members, to providing excellent teaching tools for our instructional classes, as route setter, you are responsible for creating amazing customer experiences through your work. At Vertical World, all of our setters must adhere to a high level of route setting standards that are required to maintain our product excellence. This not only includes exceptional route quality, but also high standards of safety and a positive teamwork-centric environment. All safety procedures must be upheld to the highest level and mutual respect is required. Our setting team is comprised of a committed group of climbers dedicated to upholding a high level of quality and excellence. Crews sets 3-5 days per week. They set top ropes, lead climbs, and boulders, for all abilities, ages, sizes, and grade levels. As a setting team we will strive to create a setting program that produces accomplished setters through multiple learning and growth opportunities. 

Location: Vertical World North 

Hours: 24 –36 hrs 

Reports to: Head Routesetter 

Compensation: Between $22- $26 hourly 

Work Location: 100% In-person 

This job description is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, VW reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed. 

Responsibilities: 

  • Setting 3-5 days a week 
  • Show up on time and ready to work 
  • Follow all VW safety protocols at all times 
  • Participate in all set up and tear down processes as outlined at each facility  
  • Stripping section of wall to be set for the day 
  • Washing dirty holds 
  • Setting the required number of routes/boulders problems that will meet VW’s standards of time, efficiency, and quality 
  • Maintaining a tidy, orderly, and safe setting area throughout the day 
  • Ensuring desired grade is hit consistently with initial skeleton 
  • Keep route management software up to date throughout setting day 
  • Forerunning 
  • Grading routes or boulder problems  
  • Being open to feedback and constructive criticism from peers and members 
  • Be willing to make necessary changes to your route/boulder o Ensuring all routes/boulders are not unnecessarily dangerous 
  • Hold sorting 
  • Hold room organization 
  • General maintenance of climbs and tags/tape 
  • Keeping up to date with training material from Head Setter 
  • Keep climbing wall surfaces and equipment up to VW and manufacturer standards 
  • Set for competitions and events 
  • Execute any tasks or goals from Head Setter or Gym Manager 

Expectations/values:

  • Have safety at the forefront of every action 
  • Focus on the balance of efficiency of quality and strive to always become more efficient and more effective 
  • Hit grades that are assigned consistently 
  • Have a positive and collaborative attitude 
  • Be an exemplary team member 
  • Set high quality and engaging movement  
  • Strive to be a better setter every day and take opportunities for learning and growth when available 
  • Care the success of VW and the experience of the customer with every move 
  • Perform all tasks with an outstanding work ethic and pride for the job 

Preferred Experience and Abilities: 

  • Previous commercial setting experience  
  • Ability to set 2-3 rope routes and 5-7 boulders in a day 
  • High access rope skills 
  • Self-motivated, hard-working, and able to act independently 
  • Previous experience working in an environment where feedback/constructive criticism is welcomed and desired 
  • Ability to deal with difficult circumstances with a positive attitude 
  • Ability to lead climb 
  • Competition experience and USAC certification 

Benefits:  

  • Combined Sick/PTO accrual  
  • Free VW membership 
  • Paid professional development opportunities 
  • Access to industry pro deals 
  • Access to all Seattle area gyms 
  • Health care and dental if full time for 60 days 
  • Retirement plan after 2 years employment earning at least $5,000 per year 

Intangible Benefits: 

  • Access to high level mentorship 
  • Many opportunities to set USAC Championship level events 
  • Exposure to elite level climbing athletes of all ages 
  • Awesome access to outdoor climbing and other outdoor activities 😉 
  • A relaxed environment that encourages climbing outside, training for and competing in comps, and a very family style atmosphere. 

To apply, please send resume and cover letter to Bret

Vertical World is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Here at Vertical World, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. We pride ourselves in creating an inclusive and welcoming community in our facilities.