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Job Title Climbing Wall Lead Route Setter Job Type Flexible Union MRSA Salary Grade Flexible / Casual Classification (Salary Grade) SAD02 Administrative Services II (Salary Grade 13) Hybrid Work This position is ineligible Position End Date 4/30/2027 Location MRU Main Campus - Calgary, AB T3E 6K6 CA (Primary) About This Position About the Role The Climbing Wall Lead Route Setter is a member of Cougars Athletics and Recreation, which actively creates, promotes, and sustains an environment in which the Mount Royal University community is challenged and supported in pursuit of personal growth in sport and leisure. Reporting to the Adventure Programming Supervisor, the Climbing Wall Lead Route Setter is part of the programs and services team. The team is driven by their why: to inspire people to move so that they can be the best versions of themselves. We invite and welcome people to show up as their authentic selves; we develop people in ways that matter most to them; we build communities that connect people to what brings them joy; we create accessible and inclusive spaces, places, and programs; and we establish relationships that foster a sense of belonging. The Lead Route Setter leads the setting team in designing, creating, and maintaining safe, creative, and inclusive climbing routes. In addition to active setting responsibilities, this role oversees weekly setting operations, manages staff scheduling and training, maintains accurate grading standards, and executes customer-facing communication strategies to engage the climbing community. This is a flexible position with a variable schedule that may include an irregular schedule of at least three (3) hours per shift and up to thirty-five (35) hours per week. Responsibilities Route Setting Coordination and Scheduling (60%) Coordinate and manage the weekly route setting schedule, ensuring predictable wall turnover and minimal disruption to facility members. Assign setting zones and volume/hold resources based on facility demands and upcoming events or competitions. Standardize and enforce proper route grading across the team through consensus setting, testing, and feedback sessions. Oversee inventory management, ensuring holds, hardware, and safety equipment are safely stored, organized, and maintained. Train, mentor, and evaluate junior and staff Route Setters on safety protocols, setting aesthetics, ergonomic practices, and movement theory. Schedule setting shifts while managing labor budgets and facility coverage. Personal Route Setting & Safety (20%) Remove, clean, and install climbing holds for new route rotations. Rig and operate personal safety equipment (work-at-height systems, industrial rope techniques) adhering strictly to facility safety protocols. Design creative, functional, and aesthetically engaging routes across a full spectrum of difficulty levels. Community Engagement & Customer Communication (10%) Develop and execute a customer-facing communication strategy to inform members about refreshed routes, wall resets, and setting philosophies. Design educational materials or digital updates (e.g., social media highlights, grade translation guides, setter tags) to help climbers understand movement concepts and grade scales. Gather climber feedback to continuously refine the setting direction and balance community preferences. Accessibility and Inclusion (10%) Ensure setting practices accommodate diverse body types, heights, adaptive climbing needs, and varying ability levels. Foster an inclusive facility culture where climbers of all backgrounds feel supported and valued. Collaboratively establish and maintain facility-wide setting guidelines in alignment with broader recreation department goals. Qualifications Must be a current Mount Royal University student Must have previous experience as a route setter Standard First Aid & CPR-C certification Training is available for new or expiring staff members as necessary Intermediate-level experience with climbing rope use and safety techniques Training for work-at-height and rope rigging systems will be provided Familiarity with Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) and V-scale grading systems Ability to utilize creativity in route design for a varied climber experience Salary: $21.87 - $27.61 per hour Closing Date: September 4, 2026 A resume should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name]_[Requisition Number]_[Document Title].pdf (ex. Smith_1234_CV.pdf). We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and others currently legally authorized to work in Canada will be given priority. Please note only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. After the close date, you can check on the status of your application through your Career Centre. New career opportunities arise frequently and are posted as they become available. Please check back often to view our latest postings on our Career Opportunities page. If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify [email protected] and we will work together on your accommodation request. About MRU Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. A student-focused undergraduate university built on teaching excellence, Mount Royal University is known for our top-calibre programs, high-quality teaching and learning experience, robust delivery of liberal education, scholarly teaching, experiential learning and undergraduate research. MRU serves approximately 15,782 students, including 11,752 full-time and 4,030 part-time learners. MRU offers 13 bachelor's degrees encompassing 37 majors across faculties such as Arts, Business, Communications, Health, Community & Education, and Science & Technology. With over 74% of its student body drawn from the local area, Mount Royal University primarily serves Calgary and its surrounding region. MRU is a diverse yet close community with over 1,800 employees. Mount Royal provides employees the support they need to lead and advance institutional goals. Learn more about MRU's Academic Plan and Strategic Plan.

What you’ll do

The Lead Route Setter manages the weekly setting schedule, coordinates staff training, and ensures safe, inclusive climbing route design. They are also responsible for maintaining grading standards and executing communication strategies to engage the climbing community.

Requirements

Applicants must be current Mount Royal University students with previous route setting experience and Standard First Aid & CPR-C certification. Proficiency in climbing rope safety and familiarity with YDS and V-scale grading systems are required.

Listed skills

• Inventory management · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Route Setting
• Staff Scheduling
• Inventory Management
• Safety Protocols
• Rope Rigging
• Work-at-Height Systems
• Yosemite Decimal System
• V-scale Grading
• Community Engagement
• Inclusive Design
• Mentoring
• Customer Communication

Job areas

• Sports & Recreation
• Management & Leadership
• Education
• Security & Safety