Recreation Instructor | Alternative Sports

City and County of Denver; United States; On-site; USD 19,000 - 23,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

457b retirement plan

Job summary

The City and County of Denver is hiring a Recreation Instructor for an on-call, part-time role in Parks and Recreation. Instructors lead programs in mountain biking, skating, climbing and more, with a strong emphasis on safety and customer service.

Work occurs on-site at multiple Denver program locations; schedules include weekdays and weekends. A valid driver’s license and CPR/First Aid certification are required, with additional certifications preferred.

Qualifications

• One year of experience assisting in operation and instruction of organized recreation activities.
• Requires CPR and First Aid certification within 6 months of hire.
• Requires a valid driver’s license at the time of application; city driving training may be required.

Responsibilities

• Coach participants for foundational activity skills with emphasis on safety.
• Lead groups of 10+ participants.
• Deliver excellent customer service.
• Demonstrate risk assessment and manage risk in various settings.
• Support gear rental operations at Adventure Hub locations.
• Maintain a positive, inclusive group environment.
• Complete required trip reports or incident forms.

Skills

Reliable transport

Experience leading sports programming

Coaching youth & adults outdoors

Flexible availability

Van/truck driving

Bilingual skills

CPR & First Aid

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

About Our Job

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills, and expertise.

Join our diverse, inclusive, and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver.

Application Deadline

Applications for this position are accepted on a rolling basis and this posting may close at any time. Please apply as soon as possible to ensure consideration.

What We Offer

This is an on-call position, which means it is a part-time, hourly role. This position will work no more than 39 hours per week.

The pay rate for this position is $19.80/hour and is eligible to enroll in the City and County of Denver’s 457b retirement plan. This position is not eligible for other additional benefits.

Location and Schedule

Work occurs on-site at various program locations around Denver. Instructors typically gather gear at our warehouse (4601 W. 46th Ave.) and then travel to bike trails, skate parks, or our climbing wall at the Carla Madison Recreation Center (2401 E. Colfax Ave). Staff may also support operations at the new Ruby Hill Outdoor Adventure Hub opening later this year. Programs run weekdays and weekends, and schedules may be routine or variable.

What You’ll Do

#SeeYourself: Coaching confidence on wheels, walls, and trails! Turn outdoor passion into purpose with Denver Parks and Recreation. Denver Parks and Recreation’s Alternative Sports Team is preparing for our best season yet! We provide a variety of programs that include beginner, intermediate, and advanced instruction of the following:

• Mountain biking, bike safety education, BMX, and pump track
• Quad roller skating, inline skating, skateboarding, and longboarding
• Climbing wall instruction and open climb facilitation
• Snowboarding and maintenance at Ruby Hill Railyard
• Custom programs and events with schools, non-profits, and other organizations throughout the year!

Instructors help participants build skills, confidence, and enjoyment in these sports. Group sizes range from 8–10 for open enrollment programs and 10+ for school groups and events. We provide comprehensive training to ensure instructors feel confident in both familiar and unfamiliar sports.

Key responsibilities include:

• Coaching participants for foundational activity skills with an awareness of safety.
• Leading groups of 10+ participants
• Delivering excellent customer service
• Demonstrating strong risk assessment and ability to manage risk in a variety of settings.
• Supporting gear rental operations at Adventure Hub locations
• Maintaining a positive, inclusive group environment
• Completing required documentation such as trip reports or incident forms
• Following Parks and Recreation policies and procedures
• Driving department vehicles (trucks with trailers, 15-passenger minibuses)
• Responding to emergencies as appropriate
• Performing other duties as assigned

What You’ll Bring

Our ideal candidate is a well-rounded alternative sports enthusiast with extensive personal and/or professional experience in areas such as biking, skateboarding, rock climbing, skateboarding, roller skating, and more. Additionally, our ideal candidate will have:

• Reliable personal transportation
• Experience leading sports programming
• Experience coaching youth and adults in an outdoor setting
• Flexible availability during our peak spring, summer and fall season
• Experience driving passenger vans, light-duty trucks, and trailers
• Bilingual skills (eligible for a stipend after assessment)
• CPR and First Aid Certification or higher

Any of the following certifications are preferred at the time of application, but not required:

• Wilderness First Aid/Wilderness First Responder Certification
• AMGA Single-Pitch Instructor or CWI
• ACCT Certified Facilitator
• PMBIA/BICP Mountain Bike Instructor
• PSIA AASI Snowboard Instructor
• Additional Relevant Certifications

Minimum Qualifications

Education requirement: Graduation from high school or the possession of a GED, HiSET or TASC Certificate.

Experience Requirement: One (1) year of experience in assisting in the operation and instruction of organized recreation activities.

Education/Experience Equivalency: Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.

License/Certifications: Requires certification in CPR and First Aid within 6 months of date of hire. Requires a valid driver’s license at the time of application. (Employees may be eligible to drive department/city vehicles for transportation and subject to motor vehicle record check and required to pass a city sponsored driver safety training course.) Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of continued employment.

About Everything Else Job Profile

CR2583 Recreation Instructor To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period.

Position Type

Oncall Position

Salary Range

$19.29 - $26.43 Target Pay $19.80/hour

Agency Parks and Recreation Redeployment during Citywide Emergencies

City and County of Denver employees may be re-deployed to work in other capacities in their own agencies or in other city agencies to support core functions of the city during a citywide emergency declared by the Mayor. The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law. It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact [e-mail] with three business days’ notice. Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S. For information about right to work.

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills and expertise. See yourself experiencing growth and balance. See yourself being respected and valued. See yourself belonging here. Join our diverse, inclusive and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver. Your journey starts right here.