Creative Hospitality Development Jobs in Chicago, IL

ABOUT FA CLIMBING & FITNESS:
As a locally grown business, funded by Chicago area rock climbers, FA is focused on growing a vibrant community that shares a passion for climbing and fitness. For more information, please visit www.faclimbing.com, or facebook.com/faclimbing.
FA Climbing & Fitness is a startup company. We are assembling a team of people that will help us continually get better at what we do as we discover how to best serve our members and visitors. As a result, the responsibilities below may change over time, and you may occasionally step outside of your main role to assist in other aspects of operations. We will look to you to help us be creative, think outside the box, evaluate what works and what doesn’t, and implement changes effectively—and have a blast in the process.

FA Climbing & Fitness is seeking proactive, friendly, and psyched individuals to serve as our Hospitality Team at our Arlington Heights location. FA exists to support and grow the diverse climbing community. As Hospitality Staff, you are essential to our mission, providing fantastic customer service and making newcomers and regulars alike feel at home in our facility.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide excellent service to members and visitors during the check in process
• Greet members and visitors upon arrival
• Guide new visitors to waiver station and ensure waiver is completed correctly prior to climbing
• Organize groups/parties and direct them to the appropriate meeting area
• Answer member or visitor questions or direct them to the appropriate staff member
• Proactively address visitor concerns or complaints
• Oversee retail area
• Assist customers in making selections that meet their needs
• Answer any questions regarding clothing, gear, or equipment
• Run point of sale system
• Lead facility orientations; administer belay checks; oversee climbing areas
• Explain the climbing modalities (auto-belays, bouldering, top-roping, lead climbing) and the training needed to participate in each modality
• Ensure proper, safe technique as climbers climb/boulder and operate belay equipment
• Complete all incident reports as necessary
• Maintain high standards for new climbers to achieve belay certification and retain documentation
• Communicate and enforce facility and climbing wall policies and maintain updated safety checklists
• Pitch in when needed with other tasks that keep the facility operating smoothly
• Includes daily and weekly cleaning and facility maintenance tasks
• Manager and respond to info@firstascentclimbing.com email
• Regular and predictable attendance
• Other duties as assigned

JOB DETAILS:

• Hourly, part time position
• Weekend availability, minimum shift commitment of three shifts/week
• Opportunities to work group events and administer private lessons at a higher rate of pay.
• Free membership, pro deals and discounts, and ongoing professional development
• Opportunities to cross-train as an adult instructor, youth instructor, or gym guide for a higher pay rate.
  • Adult Instructor: Lead group classes on climbing and/or belay technique.
  • Youth Instructor: Independently run 1 to 1.5 hour classes with 4-6 students (depending on age) in 8 week cycles.
  • Guide: Introduce new visitors to First Ascent through 1 hour guided sessions. Highly focused on welcoming new folks into the climbing community.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Exceptional communication and creative problem-solving skills
• Friendly demeanor, positive attitude and adaptability to various personality types
• Flexible working style and ability to multi-task, set priorities and manage time effectively
• Enthusiasm for sharing knowledge and love of climbing and fitness
• Demonstrated knowledge of climbing equipment and proper belay technique
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office based systems, as well as strong computer skills

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum 2 years of customer service experience, preferably in the fitness or recreation industry
• High school diploma/general education degree (GED) preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Frequently required to stand, walk, talk, and hear
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds, push, pull, climb and reach and perform repetitive motions
• May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl
• Must have normal vision to perform routine observation, reading and writing; moderate vision to operate equipment; close vision for operating equipment requiring depth perception
• Hazards include, but are not limited to slipping, tripping, and falling

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Predominantly in a climate controlled indoor environment
• Noise level ranges from moderate to loud
• Employee must be able to concentrate through distraction and communicate effectively

EEO STATEMENT:
FA is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. First Ascent does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, protective order status, military status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, ancestry, pregnancy or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law. First Ascent prohibits harassment of any individual on any of the protected characteristics listed above.