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):

FRONT DESK STAFF

YOUTH PROGRAM INSTRUCTOR

ROUTESETTER

FRONT DESK STAFF

The front desk sets the tone of the customer experience at Vertical World (VW). It is the goal of the front desk employee to provide outstanding customer service to all that visit a VW location. This exceptional customer service must be paired with unwavering customer qualification and risk management. Blending those three entities is the core value and measure of success of a front desk worker. Along with these principles a front desk employee should be a flexible, energetic individual, who thrives in an active work environment and is willing to get any job done.

Location: Vertical World North

Hours: 16 – 28 hrs per week

Reports to: Gym Manager

Compensation: $20 – $22 hourly

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:

Customer interactions
- Communicating policies, procedure, safety requirements and enforcing all gym policies
- Providing in depth customer tours of facility
Customer qualification
- Belay checks
- Lead checks
Provide activity specific orientations based on customer experience/qualifications
Risk management and floor supervision
In depth knowledge of gym offerings
Cleanliness of facility
- Including but not limited to mats, equipment, surfaces, retail, etc.
- Assist in maintaining climbing equipment such as ropes, route tags, holds, and other climbing and fitness equipment.
Providing general instruction of climbing and climbing equipment in a fun and informative fashion
Restocking retail area
Work in other departments such as groups, events, and youth programs

Expectations/Values:

Uphold the highest possible standard of customer service and hospitality
Have great enthusiasm for the job
Bring positivity to the work environment
Work collaboratively with all VW staff to achieve our goals
Show initiative to learn and adapt to situations to benefit VW and its climbers
Always follow and enforce VW practices

Requirements: 

Minimum 12 month commitment
Attend all required staff meetings and 1:1’s with supervisors
Must be VW Lead Climb certified or able to pass test
Current First Aid certification and Safesport certification (can be completed within first 3 months of employment)

Benefits:

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

To apply, send cover letter and resume to Maria.

YOUTH PROGRAM INSTRUCTOR

Vertical World is now hiring Youth Program (YP) Instructors. Instructors teach rock climbing classes and camps to students that range from 3 to 17 years old. Throughout the year there are multiple offerings a YP instructor may be involved in like: Regular yearlong programs, day camps, school break camps, summer camps, and summer programs to name a few. YP staff are responsible stewards that help groom VW’s next generation of climbers. The available positions are for summer programs and longer term employment is based on availability and scheduling of fall programs.

Location: Vertical World North

Hours: 5 – 28 hrs per week (Part Time). Weekends required.

Reports to: Program Coordinator

Compensation: $20 – $22 hourly

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

Create and implement age-appropriate lesson plans for students
Create an appropriate balance of risk management, technical skill, and fun in each class
Work in cooperation with co-instructors
Track student progress and ensure students are going through all necessary processes to use gym equipment
Manage diverse abilities and interest levels within each class
Other duties or tasks delegated by Manager or Programs Coordinator

Requirements:

Friendly and enthusiastic
Self-motivated and able to act independently  
Previous top rope belay experience
Able to commit to consistent schedule
Great communication skills and the ability to work with a wide range of personalities
Ability to deal with difficult circumstances with a positive attitude 
Great working ability in a family environment
First aid and CPR certified

Preferred Skills:

Experience teaching climbing
Previous outdoor climbing experience
Lead climbing experience

Benefits:

Combined Sick/PTO
Free VW Membership
Pro Deal and Industry Discounts
Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance if full time (30+ hours) after 60 day waiting period
Free access to all Seattle area climbing gyms (if full time)
Matching retirement plan after two years employment

To apply, send cover letter and resume to Anique.

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

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.