Routesetter – Southern California Region

About Touchstone Climbing

Touchstone Climbing owns and operates 17 unique climbing gyms across California, but… We’re more than gyms. We’re a community. Whether you are training for your next multi-pitch ascent, just learned to tie a figure-eight knot, or simply want a great place to work out, you belong here.

Touchstone is looking for a full-time Routesetter with at least two years of experience (or equivalent) to join our team in the Southern California Region. Enthusiastic, friendly, hard-working individuals with a passion for climbing and fitness are encouraged to apply. Route setting crew members collaborate to create fun and creative boulder problems and routes in varying styles while prioritizing safety and accessibility in the workplace, for our team, and our community.

This opportunity is for creative, adaptable, self-motivated, team-players that can work efficiently both independently and as part of a team. We want our staff to reflect the communities we serve, so we strongly encourage BIPOC and LGBTQ+ folks to apply.

To set and maintain a rotation of climbing routes and boulder problems of various difficulties ranging from beginner to expert, while adhering to Touchstone Climbing’s setting philosophy and standards.

• Show up on time and ready to work with all necessary equipment.
• Assess daily route setting needs.
• Set up work area perimeter and ‘short-fix’ anchors.
• Stage all setting equipment and tools in the work area (ladders, ropes, aid bolts, bins, etc).
• Strip holds from walls and hang additional working lines.
• Maintain a clean work area.
• Wash, sort, and store unused holds. Sort, store and maintain bolts and screws. sort out broken holds, bad screws, and bolts.
• Set, forerun, and modify climbs to be appropriate for their grade, accessibility, and assignment.
• Work cooperatively with other crew members and gym staff and work to be an equal contributor to the day’s tasks.
• Work efficiently while adhering to Touchstone’s safety standards.
• Store all setting gear and equipment, and clean up work areas before leaving the gym.

• Be able to cleanly onsight a minimum of 5.12- on lead, and lead belay. Comfort climbing more difficult grade levels is a ‘plus’.
• Very competent in the use of various route setting-related tools (impact driver and bits, ratchets, wrenches, angle grinder, reciprocating saw, pressure washer, bolts, screws, etc).
• Comfortable using various climbing equipment (Gri-gri, RIG, ascenders, micro traxion, carabiners, etc.)
• Self-directed, self-motivated, and efficient.
• Courteous, professional, and non-defensive to constructive criticism.
• Safety Conscious at all times.
• Good communicator.
• Passion for route setting and for climbing
• Reliable, hard worker, with attention to detail.
• Ability to work at multiple locations in the region.

• Comfort working at heights up to 60 feet.
• Comfortable working on a ladder, in a harness, or from a rope.
• Must be able to safely lift 40 lbs. without assistance.
• Able to haul up to 50 lbs. of setting tools and equipment in a haul bag while setting routes.
• Ability to lift large awkward holds and volumes.
• Ability to work in various environments such as tight or enclosed spaces, heights, and temperatures to complete work assignments
• Ability to bend at the waist, sit, kneel, lie horizontally, climb, walk, grasp, etc., as the job may require
• Engage in physical self-care through mobility work, strength training, or other supporting practices.

Wages start at $23/hr with the minimum qualifying experience.

At Touchstone, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package for full time employees, including:

• Health Insurance – Choose from two Kaiser Permanente plans:
• 90% employer-paid coverage for employees and 70% for dependents of Kaiser’s top-tier, no-deductible, low-copay plan
• 100% employer-paid coverage for employees and 70% for dependents of a higher-deductible Kaiser plan
• Dental Insurance – 80% employer-paid coverage for employees and 65% for dependents
• Vision Plan – 100% employer-paid coverage for employees and 70% for dependents
• Medical FSA – All employees are eligible…