Variable HCA Youth Dance Instructor

City of Lakewood; Lakewood (CO); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid planning time

Paid sick time

Free recreation center membership

Free Bear Creek Lake Park pass

Job summary

The City of Lakewood seeks an experienced Youth Dance Instructor for the Lakewood Cultural Center, starting Fall 2026. Responsibilities include teaching Creative Movement, Mommy & Me, Pre-Ballet 1 and 2, and possibly tap/modern dance.

You will develop age-appropriate lessons, ensure proper technique and safety, and collaborate with a team. Fall classes begin September 10, 2026; auditions or teaching video may be requested.

Qualifications

• Must have demonstrated ability to work effectively with children and youth.
• Strong ballet training and ability to teach at varying developmental stages.
• Experience delivering engaging, age-appropriate dance instruction.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver engaging, age-appropriate dance lessons.
• Create lesson plans with technique, movement, musicality and age-appropriate skill development.
• Maintain a safe, inclusive classroom and collaborate with instructors and staff.
• Monitor student progress and adapt content and pacing as needed.

Skills

Dance instruction

Child development

Classroom management

Lesson planning

Communication

Organizational skills

Engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Dance or Dance Education

Job description

City Values

The City of Lakewood is dedicated to upholding City values to include: Performance Excellence, Leadership, Respect and Collaboration. Best fit candidates will demonstrate innovation, customer service, dedication, passion and engagement. All people, citizens and employees, will be treated with respect, relevance, and importance.

HIRING RANGE

$20-$25/hour

Job Summary

The Lakewood Cultural Center is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic and dependable Youth Dance Instructor to teach Creative Movement, Mommy & Me, Pre-Ballet 1 and Pre-Ballet 2 beginning in Fall 2026. The ideal candidate will have strong technical training in ballet and experience teaching young dancers at varying developmental stages. The successful candidate will be comfortable introducing foundational dance concepts in an age-appropriate, engaging and supportive manner, with an emphasis on proper technique, alignment, musicality, coordination and positive skill development. Experience teaching tap and/or modern/contemporary dance is highly desirable. We are looking for an instructor who is motivated, reliable, creative and engaging, and who can create a positive classroom environment where young dancers feel supported, encouraged and excited to learn. The instructor will be responsible for developing lesson plans, adapting instruction to meet the needs of individual students, maintaining a safe and organized classroom and contributing to a collaborative teaching team. Fall classes are scheduled to begin September 10, 2026. We are seeking to fill this position as soon as possible; however, the start date may be adjusted for the right candidate. The selection process will include a teaching audition and/or submission of a recent teaching video. Candidates may be asked to demonstrate age-appropriate instruction, classroom management and dance technique.

Position Benefits

• Paid planning time
• Paid sick time
• Opportunity to choreograph for performing group
• Free recreation center membership
• Free pass to Bear Creek Lake Park

About Community Resources

Community Resources is committed to providing high-quality park, recreation, family and cultural services and facilities that inspire enjoyment, learning and wellness in the lives of those who live, work, and play in Lakewood. We value leadership, integrity, communication and connection, diversity and adaptability. The City of Lakewood is currently recruiting variable employees for this position. A variable employee is an at-will employee who works in a seasonal or temporary capacity. Their work schedule is based on business need. This position would be a part-time, non-benefitted position.

Major Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities

This job description does not intend to list every function of the position.

Essential Job Functions

• Develop and deliver engaging, age-appropriate dance lessons that support program goals and student development.
• Create lesson plans that incorporate appropriate dance technique, creative movement, musicality, coordination and age-appropriate skill development.
• Instruct, encourage and support students in a positive environment that fosters self-expression, confidence, creativity and personal growth.
• Provide instruction appropriate to students' developmental stages, abilities and previous dance experience.
• Monitor student progress and adjust class content, pacing and instruction as needed.
• Maintain a safe, inclusive and welcoming classroom environment.
• Demonstrate strong classroom management skills and maintain appropriate boundaries with students.
• Maintain awareness of student whereabouts and activities at all times to ensure safety.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with students, parents, caregivers, coworkers and supervisors.
• Record and maintain accurate attendance records.
• Set up the studio prior to class and return the space to a clean, organized and safe condition following class.
• Report and document injuries using required procedures and forms.
• Promptly notify a supervisor of broken equipment, facility concerns or unsafe conditions.
• Follow all City, Community Resources and Lakewood Cultural Center policies and procedures.

Important Functions

• Work collaboratively with other instructors and staff while supporting the overall goals of the dance program.
• Take initiative in identifying opportunities to improve the student experience and contribute to the program.
• Attend required staff meetings, training and planning meetings.
• Participate in auditions, demonstrations, performances or special programming as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Organizational Relationships

Supervision Received: Receives supervision from the Cultural Programs Coordinator.

Essential Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with children and youth.
• Demonstrated experience teaching dance, movement or related arts programming.
• Strong technical training and knowledge of ballet.
• Experience teaching young children and/or youth at varying developmental stages.
• Ability to develop and deliver engaging, inclusive and age-appropriate lesson plans.
• Ability to manage groups of varying sizes, ages, abilities and skill levels.
• Strong classroom management skills.
• Ability to motivate, encourage and inspire students both individually and in groups.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, students, parents and caregivers.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Awareness of classroom, studio and equipment safety practices.
• Ability to reliably fulfill scheduled teaching assignments and required meetings.
• Must successfully pass a background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience teaching Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet or parent/child dance classes.
• Additional training or teaching experience in tap and/or modern/contemporary dance.
• Experience working with early childhood populations.
• Experience teaching in a studio, school, community arts or recreation setting.
• Experience developing or adapting dance curriculum.

Education/Experience

Bachelor's degree in Dance, Dance Education, or a related field; or A minimum of five years beyond high school as a dance instructor or teaching dance artist in a studio, school, community, or comparable setting. Equivalent combinations of education, professional dance training, and relevant teaching experience may be considered.

Pay Range

Pay Range $15.16-$57.58

Background and reference checks will be conducted for all regular and some variable/seasonal positions.

City Overview

Lakewood is full of possibilities for businesses, residents and visitors with innovative approaches, community collaboration, a strong financial foundation and healthy local economy. The city serves as a gateway to outdoor adventures while also providing a 10-minute commute to the heart of the metropolitan area. Much of Lakewood’s charm derives from neighborhoods as varied as horse properties, live/work units for artists, urban-style lofts and traditional homes. Lakewood has dedicated one-quarter of the land in the city to parks and open space, providing for a healthy, active lifestyle. The city also provides a comprehensive array of services, and we are home to global and national companies while also having a robust array of small businesses.

We’re an All-America City connected to the metro area with the latest technology and multiple transportation options.

Disability Accommodation

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page: Access Lakewood

Additional Benefits

• Medical Cigna HDHP with Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Kaiser Permanente DHMO with Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Dental Delta Dental PPO plus Premier Plan
• Vision Vision Service Plan (VSP)
• Life Insurance Employees are covered for 1.5 times their annual base salary in life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment, up to a maximum of $500,000 (the minimum benefit is $50,000). The city pays the cost of this coverage.
• Pension Our pension fund is a social security replacement, money purchase plan. Mandatory employee contribution is 11% of gross base salary; city contribution is 13% of gross base salary.
• Sick Leave Full-time employees earn 8 hours per month. Part-time employees earn 6 hours per month.
• Vacation Full-time employees with less than five years of service earn 8 hours per month. Part-time employees with less than five years of service earn 6 hours per month.
• City Holidays Holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Deferred Compensation
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Injury Leave
• Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
• Military Leave
• Jury Duty
• Tuition Assistance
• Credit Union
• Recreation Facilities Employees are eligible for free general admission into the city’s recreation centers, swimming pools and Bear Creek Lake Park.
• Wellness Programs
• Value-Added Benefits