Ski/Snowboard Instructor

City of Durango, CO; Durango (CO); On-site; USD 18,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free recreation center pass

Free transit pass

Wellness challenge participation

Job summary

The City of Durango, CO, is seeking a Ski and/or Snowboard Instructor for part-time work at Chapman Hill Ski Area. You will provide recreational instruction, emphasizing safety and skill development for participants.

This role requires knowledge of skiing or snowboarding and experience with children. As team members, you will contribute to our mission of excellence in public service, working collaboratively to enhance community life.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of skiing and/or snowboarding required.
• Experience with children in educational or recreational settings preferred.
• Ability to develop and lead age-appropriate lessons.

Responsibilities

• Plan and lead ski and/or snowboard instruction.
• Teach techniques for skiing and snowboarding.
• Create engaging activities to support participant learning.
• Monitor conditions to prioritize participant safety.

Skills

Knowledge of skiing/snowboarding

Working with children

Lesson planning

Effective communication

Safety awareness

Job description

Salary: $16.25 Hourly

Location : Durango, CO

Job Type: Part-Time

Job Number: 2026-00169

Department: Parks & Recreation

Division: Chapman Hill Ski Area – 4552

Opening Date: 08/25/2026

Closing Date: Continuous

Schedule Details:: Monday through Thursday, 4:15 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Description

Hit the slopes at Chapman Hill this winter as a Ski and/or Snowboard Instructor with City of Durango Parks and Recreation!You’ll lead recreational instruction, teach skiing and snowboarding fundamentals, and create engaging activities that help participants build skills and confidence. This position is a great fit for someone who enjoys working with children, knows the sport, and is comfortable working in an outdoor winter environment.

City of Durango’s Trail to Excellence

The City of Durango is a purpose-driven organization with more than 400 full-time and 300 part-time and seasonal employees across 15 departments, all working together to provide a wide range of services that keep our community running every day. From public safety and utilities to parks and recreation, our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality services that enhance the lives of all who live, work, and visit here.

At the city, we focus on continually improving how we work and serve the community. This effort is called the Trail to Excellence (T2E), and every employee plays a part in it. Whether you work outdoors, in an office, or lead a team, your daily efforts connect to the city’s mission of providing excellent service and reaching the city’s vision of being a multigenerational community that is authentic, diverse, engaged, thriving, and environmentally responsible. The full details of this vision are outlined in the city’s strategic plan.

As a member of our team, your work will be meaningful because:

• Your ideas help shape citywide improvements.
• The work you do ties directly into measurable goals.
• You’ll be part of a system that values collaboration, innovation, and results.

We’re looking for team members who share our core values of teamwork, dependability, professionalism, service, respect, innovation, and wellbeing – and who are excited to make a difference in the community we serve.

Essential Job Duties

What You’ll Do in This Role:

• Plan and lead ski and/or snowboard instruction and recreational activities for participants
• Teach appropriate techniques, fundamentals, and skills for the specific activity being instructed
• Develop and submit lesson plans and supply requests to the Recreation Supervisor
• Create engaging, age-appropriate activities that support participant learning and enjoyment
• Prioritize participant safety by monitoring conditions, identifying hazards, and avoiding activities or situations that may put participants at unnecessary risk
• Communicate program expectations, schedules, locations, equipment needs, and other necessary information to participants and parents
• Work cooperatively with Parks and Recreation staff to coordinate scheduled activities and programs
• Participate in preseason orientation, staff meetings, and in-service training
• Arrive at the assigned job site on time and prepared to lead scheduled activities
• Care for program equipment, supplies, records, and facilities
• Follow department policies and procedures and represent the City of Durango professionally
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required

Minimum Qualifications

You Have:

• Knowledge of skiing and/or snowboarding
• Experience working with children in an educational or recreational environment is preferred
• Ability to develop and lead age-appropriate lessons and activities
• Ability to communicate clearly and establish effective working relationships with participants, parents, and staff
• Ability to maintain the physical condition necessary to perform assigned duties and responsibilities
• Ability to obtain CPR, automated external defibrillator (AED), and first aid certifications
• A valid Colorado driver’s license, where applicable

You Will Succeed in This Role If You:

• Can confidently demonstrate and teach the fundamentals and proper techniques of skiing and/or snowboarding
• Create an engaging and supportive environment where participants can learn and build their skills
• Keep participant safety and appropriate activity levels in mind when planning and leading instruction
• Communicate clearly with participants, parents, and Parks and Recreation staff

Supplemental Information

What We Can Offer You:

The following perks are available for part-time and seasonal employees.

• Free pass to the Durango Community Recreation Center and Chapman Hill Ice Rink and Ski Area
• Free Transit pass
• Eligibility to participate in the City’s Annual Wellness Challenge and a chance to receive prizes and cash rewards

View the full Program Instructor-Ski/Snowboard-Part Time job description here.

Belong at the City of Durango:

We believe in creating an inclusive workforce that welcomes diversity of thoughts, viewpoints, and experiences.

The City of Durango is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis age 40 and over, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other applicable status protected by state or local law. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors.

City of Durango’s Indigenous Land Acknowledgement

Positions remain open until their listed deadline or until filled. Early closures are rare, but we encourage applying promptly.

Part Time and Seasonal employees are eligible for a free transit pass, recreation center pass and Chapman Hill pass, with discounted rates for family members in the same household.