Route Setter Trainee
The Role 😊
The Trainee Route Setter will be given the opportunity to learn route setting here at the Castle, one of the country’s largest climbing gyms! The Castle’s huge diversity of wall angles, holds, and setting techniques will guarantee the post holder a solid foundation of route setting skills and experience on which to build their career in the industry.
Your will join the Route Setting department in the creation and maintenance of high-quality bouldering and roped climbing. The role will initially include set prepping tasks and over the course of the traineeship—expected to span approximately three years—you will gradually take on more advanced setting responsibilities, with a decreasing focus on hold stripping and washing. Progression through the programme will be guided by in-house feedback and assessments.
You will be expected to set both ropes and boulders, so a keenness for both climbing disciplines is desirable.
Inclusivity Statement 🩷
The Castle values inclusivity and encourages you to bring your whole self to work. We understand the importance of work-life balance and will do all that we can to support a healthy one. As a growing business, we’re here to encourage you to develop and pursue your professional and personal aspirations. It’s talent that matters to us and we encourage applications from people irrespective of their gender identity, race, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability status or caring responsibilities. Please let us know if you need accommodations during the application process.
We’re looking for an enthusiastic team member to join us on a part-time basis with varied hours (starting at around 10-20 hours per week).
This is a three year fixed-term role with a starting salary of £15.55 per hour.
Main duties & responsibilities ✨
- Working with the setting manager, head setter, and setting team to learn to create routes and boulders that are fun, challenging, and safe.
- Working with the setting team to test and tweak each other’s boulders and routes to achieve the appropriate grade and best quality.
- Helping with other tasks around setting, including tagging boulders, setting up exclusion zones, tidying holds and equipment at the end of the day, tightening holds on the outdoor boulders, and organising hold stores.
- Participating in in-house and/or externally provided training days.
- Participating in team discussions and planning around the setting ethos at the Castle.
- Stripping rope and bouldering areas on days when not setting.
- Washing holds and tidying them away on days when not setting.
- Transporting holds and equipment to the designated areas.
- Assisting with in-house competitions and/or events.
Sustainability
You will carry out your duties in accordance with the Castle Sustainability Policy, ordering products consciously with sustainability policy in mind. You will ensure that we use our resources efficiently and have general awareness of impact of energy usage.
Traineeship Programme Expectations
The Traineeship is a process; the successful applicant is not expected to have all the skills required to be able to take on the above duties immediately – you will gain the responsibilities as you receive appropriate training and acquire the sufficient level of skill.
The three-year timeline for this traineeship is a rough guide and can be shorter or longer, depending on the post holder’s aptitude.
The successful candidate can expect thorough, varied, and high-quality training from our team of in-house and guest route setters, regular 1-to-1 communication and feedback on the progress of their training, as well as fully compensated additional training from external providers.
This job description reflects some of the present requirements of the post (i.e. it is not exhaustive), and as duties and responsibilities change/develop, the job description will be reviewed and subject to amendment in consultation with the post-holder.
How to apply ✍️
Please submit a CV and Cover Letter. Your cover letter should outline why you are interested in this role, and how you believe your skills and experience make you a good fit. All applications must include a cover letter.
Deadline: 10th September at midnight.
If you have any questions or accessibility requirements, please contact HR@castle-climbing.co.uk.
