Meet Our Team
Gary Rall Owner & Founder
Setting Initials: GR
Gary has been climbing throughout the West Coast for almost 40 years. On a trip to England in 1987, he got the idea of building an indoor climbing gym. While there, Rall heard about a community center that had a climbing wall where people kept in shape during the winter months. He thought of Portland’s rainy weather and decided to build the Portland Rock Gym. It turned out to be the second gym in the country, and the first to use modular holds. His wife, Julie, actually came up with the phrase “rock gym” as they named the business.
Gary is a pioneer of rock climbing in Oregon. He has a multitude of hard FAs and FFAs under his belt, established Rat Cave, been regional coordinator of the Access Fund earning their 5.13 Service Award for securing public access to the Carver Bridge Cliff & Boulders, and helped to create the modern American rock climbing industry.
Brendan Rall Vice President, Sales
Joseph Coval Director of Gym Management
Mike Ryan Director of Operations
Ricky Huynh Director of Marketing
Gabe Olson Director of Climbing Programs
Addison Houck Programs Manager
Addison (they/them) has been working at PRG since 2021, starting as Summer Camp staff, Afterschool Program staff, Intro Class instructor, and overall jack of most trades. They are transitioning into the Youth Programs Coordinator position for Summer 2022 and beyond, and are stoked to bring their many years of youth development experience to a leadership role here at PRG.
Addison started climbing in early 2018 while living in the Santa Cruz Mountains. When they're not at the gym, they are studying to eventually get their Masters in Social Work, taking a deep dive into a new craft-based hobby, or taking a nap in the sunshine with their dog.
Chat with Addison about: belay devices! best flavor of clif bar! favorite climbing game! pros and cons of closed toed shoes! the time they saw a bear cub and burst into tears!
Brianna Gordon Studio Programs Manager
Dan Connelly Northeast Gym Manager
Aaron Johnson Beaverton Gym Manager
Holden Grimes Setting Manager
Payton Hansen Assistant Setting Manager
Setting Initials: PH
Payton started climbing when he moved into his college dorm at Iowa State University. Despite being far away from any crags, he became infatuated with climbing and began going on various climbing trips, along with joining the competitive climbing team. In his 4 years at school, Payton competed at numerous competitions throughout the Midwest and qualified his way into the USA Collegiate National Championships. One of his favorite climbing memories from school is the annual road-trips to Bishop, CA with his friends during winter breaks. In 2019, Payton moved back home to Overland Park, KS to work as a route setter and a coach for a couple of local climbing gyms. Payton moved to Portland in June, 2021 to pursue a career as a full-time route setter at Portland Rock Gym (and to live closer to crags of course). When he's not training at the gym, Payton enjoys bouldering, biking, singing, surfing, and enjoying all the wonderful sushi Portland has to offer!
Gabe Olson Coach
Addison Houck Coach
Brianna Gordon Studio Programs Manager, Yoga & Fitness Instructor
Kensie Sempert Fitness Coordinator, Personal Trainer, Fitness Instructor
Join Our Team
Portland Rock Gym is Growing!!
At Portland Rock Gym we are looking for experienced competition level coaches to help us continue to drive the success of our youth Competition Teams. This position is responsible for providing exceptional coaching, engagement, and connection with the athletes and their families, as well as fellow coaches. Collaborating closely with the Programs Director and Programs Manager, our Competition level coaches will help build and facilitate practice plans aimed at supporting climbers in their athletic and personal development. This role is ideal for someone with a strong background in youth development and a love of competition climbing.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
– Design, develop, and implement comprehensive climbing programs catering to climbers of varying skill levels.
– Provide expert instruction in climbing techniques, safety practices, and training methodologies to individuals and groups.
– Lead weekly practices during the school year
– Coach and run teams at both gym locations in the Portland area
– Supervise climbers during practices and while modeling PRG’s values.
– Provide personalized coaching and feedback to each climber to help them overcome challenges, improve weaknesses, and achieve their climbing goals.
– Work collaboratively with other coaches and managers to ensure program coherence and alignment with the facility’s goals and objectives.
– Collaborate with the Gym Manager on what areas the athletes are allowed to use during busy hours and events.
– Communicate with parents and families, answer questions, respond to emails in a timely manner
– Other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS
– Technical proficiency in climbing and climbing safety
– Previous experience as a youth competition coach (2+ years)
– Previous experience using RGP(Rock Gym Pro) preferred
FACILITY SAFETY AND INCIDENT RESPONSE
– Ensure the safety of participants, staff and other customers through group organization, oversight, and practice planning.
– Actively promote risk mitigation through ongoing instruction and orientation.
– Respond to accidents and incidents following the PRG Safety Manual and Protocol and properly document any incidents through incident report log.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
– Part time, hourly rate based on the candidate availability and experience. $17.25-$21/hour
– Membership at Portland Rock Gym
– Staff discount on retail products.
– Industry discounts available for select companies and products.
WORKING CONDITIONS
– Many duties require the availability to work a flexible schedule based on business needs and events, including evenings and weekends.
TO APPLY
Email us your application with "Youth Competitive Coach" in the headline to gabe@portlandrockgym.com. Position open until filled.
Position: Sales Desk & Wall Monitor
Hours: 12-34hrs/Week
Pay Rate: Starting at $16.30 plus sales incentives
Positions available at both locations:
- Northeast - 21 NE 12th Ave Portland OR 97232
- Beaverton - 10860 SW Barnes Rd Portland OR 97225
General Description:
Established in 1987, Portland Rock Gym’s mission is to teach and train well-rounded, life-long rock climbers indoors, and out at the crags, as well as celebrate and preserve our local cliffs and boulders through community involvement. We strive to meet this goal through helping to foster an inclusive and diverse community of kind and supportive climbers, through providing excellent customer service, professional instruction, and maintaining exceptional facilities.
Ideal candidates will be welcoming, proactive, and comfortable helping anyone in the gym to find the right gear, membership, or whatever it takes to meet their goals. Sales experience is highly desirable, but more importantly, we’re looking for people that are eager to develop those skills and connect with others authentically.
What makes a great salesperson at Portland Rock Gym?
- Knowing what you’re selling and believing in our mission
- Following a consistent interpersonal approach
- Learning to read customers’ needs and adapting communication styles
- Staying positive and motivated
- Being part of the team and contributing to a supportive work environment
We believe that sales isn’t about pressure but connection. Great salespeople listen carefully, understand customers’ goals, and offer solutions. Whether you’re helping someone choose their first membership or helping get something like a private lesson on the calendar, you’re an essential part of their climbing journey.
General Duties/Responsibilities
- Sell memberships, day passes, and rental equipment with empathy, enthusiasm and product knowledge
- Handle cash register sales and complete transactions efficiently
- Answer questions via email and phone promptly
- Greet and check members in with a friendly and professional attitude
- Monitor climbers for unsafe situations and intervene when necessary
- Belay for various groups, parties, and programs as needed
- Help maintain the cleanliness and presentation of the facility
- Perform top rope belay tests, auto belay, and bouldering orientations
- Enforce gym rules and policies respectfully and consistently
- Follow up with guests and members to ensure a great experience and answer questions
Minimum Requirements
- At least 18 years of age
- At least 6 months customer service or sales experience
- At least 6 months of top rope belay experience
- Availability for regular evenings and/or weekends
- Basic familiarity with the proper use of ropes, harnesses, climbing shoes, carabiners and belay devices
- Lifting and carrying up to 50lbs
- Pass a criminal background check
Things We Love to See
- 1 year or more of sales experience
- Lead climbing and belaying experience
If you’re someone who gets energy from helping others, sees sales as a form of strong customer service, and wants to work in a dynamic environment, we’d love to hear from you!
Position: Janitorial Staff - Beaverton Location
Hours: 24 Hours Per Week
Pay Rate: $17.25-$18.75 hourly, Commensurate with experience
Application Deadline: Position open until filled
Location: 10860 SW Barnes Rd. Portland, OR 97225
Job Description
As a member of our janitorial team you will work closely with the Gym Manager and Janitorial Coordinator to provide members with consistently clean and well maintained spaces. In addition to maintaining well stocked toiletries, amenities and a clean facility both inside and out, the janitorial team is responsible for owning their share of the customer experience.
Most of your time would be spent completing janitorial tasks, working with staff, contractors, and communicating and advancing the cleaning duties/responsibilities of other gym staff across all departments. As a part of our team, you are also a part of the overall success of the business. You will have to work well with the rest of our staff and management teams.
Job Responsibilities
- Clean. As the Janitorial Staff you would be expected to be able and willing to complete any cleaning task that needs to be done
- Coordinate with the Janitorial Coordinator and Gym Manager to identify necessary cleaning projects and ensure that spaces are well stocked with amenities and janitorial supplies
Requirements
- Commercial janitorial experience
Nice to Have:
- An active interest in rock climbing and/or bouldering
To apply, please send your cover letter and resume to aaron@portlandrockgym.com
Please do not call to inquire about this position. Only applicants who are selected will be contacted for an interview. Thanks! We’re looking forward to meeting you!
General Inquiries
Any other questions or comments? Please email northeast@portlandrockgym.com or beaverton@portlandrockgym.com
To learn more about becoming one of our yoga or group fitness instructors, please email yoga@portlandrockgym.com
Hours
Sat: 9AM - 9PM
Sun: 9AM - 6PM
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