Recreation Program Lead - Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation

City of Greeley; Greeley (CO); On-site; USD 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Greeley is seeking a Recreation Lead to oversee daily operations of recreational programs, events, and facilities. You will lead part-time staff, volunteers, and participants while maintaining a safe, inclusive environment. The role supports program planning, supervision, and serves as a key contact for patrons and staff.

The position emphasizes leadership, coordination, and strong communication to deliver quality programs and experiences for the community.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of recreational programming and group facilitation
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Ability to manage groups in active settings

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of recreational programs and facilities
• Supervise and train part-time staff and volunteers
• Monitor attendance, engagement and safety; address incidents as needed
• Assist in planning and promoting events and seasonal programs
• Maintain records of attendance and incidents

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Youth engagement

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Full Salary Ranges: $15.16 - $21.75

Anticipated Hiring Ranges: $15.16 - $18.46

Why Do I See Two Salary Ranges?

The City of Greeley, in compliance with Colorado state law, includes a salary range for all positions posted. This law improves wage transparency. We post both the full salary range and the anticipated hiring range, where we expect to make an offer. Offers are based on experience, education, certifications, and other factors.

City of Greeley's Total Rewards

The City offers a robust benefits package, including health and wellness, retirement savings, and discounted Greeley facilities access.

Benefits

Benefits: This position is benefits eligible. Please view our benefits guide here.

Job Summary

The Recreation Lead oversees and coordinates daily operations of recreational programs, events, and facilities. This position provides leadership to part-time staff, volunteers, and participants while ensuring a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment. The Recreation Lead supports program planning, supervises activities, and serves as a key contact for patrons and staff.

Experience, Education, and Skills

Minimum Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required; coursework in recreation, education, or a related field preferred.
• CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain within 30 days of hire).
• Any combination of related education, experience, certifications and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.

Preferred

• Previous experience leading recreation programs (e.g., youth camps, sports leagues, after-school programs, senior programs, fitness classes, or special events).
• Additional relevant certifications (e.g., lifeguard certification, coaching certifications, youth development training, behavior management/de-escalation training, or related recreation/fitness credentials).
• Bilingual skills (Spanish/English) or demonstrated experience serving diverse communities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of recreational programming and group facilitation techniques.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to manage groups of children, teens, or adults in an active setting.
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Cultural competency and a commitment to inclusive programming.
• Ability to follow safety procedures, respond appropriately to incidents/emergencies, and maintain a calm, professional presence with participants and the public.
• Ability to use common office and program-related technology (e.g., email, basic spreadsheets, scheduling/registration systems, and incident/attendance documentation tools) to track participation, complete reports, and communicate with staff and patrons.

Essential Functions

• Lead day-to-day operations of assigned recreational programs, such as youth camps, sports leagues, after-school activities, senior programs, or fitness classes.
• Supervise and support part-time staff, volunteers, and instructors; assist with training and task delegation.
• Monitor program attendance, engagement, and safety, addressing behavior issues or emergencies as needed.
• Assist in planning, promoting, and implementing recreational events and seasonal programs.
• Communicate with participants, families, and the public in a professional and welcoming manner.
• Ensure the cleanliness, safety, and proper setup of recreational spaces, equipment, and materials.
• Report equipment damage, facility issues, or supply needs to supervisors.
• Maintain records of attendance, incident reports, and daily logs.
• Enforce program policies and health/safety regulations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provides day-to-day lead direction to part-time staff, volunteers, seasonal employees, and/or instructors, including task assignment, basic training support, and coaching to ensure safe and effective program delivery.
• This position does not typically include ongoing responsibility for hiring, discipline, or formal performance evaluations; may provide input to the supervisor as requested.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

• Work is performed primarily outdoors and/or in recreation facilities, including fields, courts, parks, and multi-purpose rooms; exposure to varying weather conditions is expected.
• Ability to perform work outdoors and remain physically active for long periods of time.
• Frequent walking, standing, bending, lifting, and participation in physical activity to demonstrate, lead, and support program activities.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, and to safely set up/take down equipment such as tables, cones, goals, nets, mats, and related program supplies.
• Vision enough to observe participants and activity areas, identify hazards, and read printed/electronic materials necessary to complete work assignments and documentation.
• Manual dexterity enough to use recreation equipment, operate basic office/program technology, and complete written/electronic records.
• Communication skills to effectively convey information to participants, families, staff, and the public in person, by phone, and electronically, including during high-activity or emergency situations.

EOE Statement

The City of Greeley provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

ADA Statement

We are committed to an inclusive and barrier-free search process. We provide accommodations for applicants requesting accommodation through the search process such as alternative formats of this posting. Individuals with disabilities in need of accommodations throughout the search process should contact the ADA Coordinator at [e-mail] .

Conditions of Employment

Candidates must successfully complete all pre-employment screenings and employment eligibility verification. Pre-employment screenings include a drug test, a background and national sex offender search, a motor vehicle record search, and for some positions, a physical demands evaluation. For more information about City policies and practices during the recruitment process, including but not limited to EOE, Reasonable Accommodation, and pre-employment screenings, please visit our career page HERE.