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, Denver. 

What We Offer 

This is a part time position which will work no more than 39 hours per week and is not eligible for benefits. The starting pay for this position is $21.54 per hour and is eligible to enroll in the City and County of Denver’s 457b retirement plan. Part time positions may have routine or variable work schedules. In addition to class time, instructors receive additional paid hours for planning, set-up, and break down time.  

Denver Parks & Recreation offers progressive community based Adaptive Recreation programming for people with disabilities at any age.  Our team of devoted professionals enrich the lives of people with disabilities by developing physical, mental, emotional, social and leisure skills necessary to participate in a continuum of activities that will enhance their well-being.   Adaptive Recreation programming utilizes the Denver Parks & Recreation department's expansive network of facilities, parks and amenities to provide a wide variety of adaptive programming and year-round training in Special Olympics sports. 

To learn more about the Adaptive Recreation programming offered by Denver Parks & Recreation, please visit the Adaptive Recreation webpage.

To learn more about Denver Parks & Recreation with the City & County of Denver, please visit DPR’s webpage. 

Location 

In this position you can expect to work on site at multiple recreation centers and other locations around the City and County of Denver. This position includes working day, evening, and weekend hours.

What You’ll Do 

We are looking for Certified Adaptive Recreation Leaders to help ensure the highest quality programming for our participants. Certified Leaders play an important role in ensuring that Denver's recreation programs are inclusive and enriching to all participants and that our Adaptive Recreation Instructors receive the highest level of coaching, instruction, and support.  

Job duties include, but are not limited to:  

• Work with full-time staff to plan and implement goal-based adaptive recreation programs aimed at enriching physical, mental, emotional, social and leisure skills 
• Provide coaching and guidance to Adaptive Recreation Staff to ensure program quality 
• Maintain a safe, fun, and trusting program environment for all participants 
• Work directly with and oversee volunteers to aid in facilitation of programs 
• Develops instructional plan to achieve established objectives 
• Executes instructional plans using prescribed and accepted teaching methods, including coaching and, group and individual instruction 
• Evaluates and communicates student/participant progress to all appropriate staff 
• Reviews completed program participant evaluation tools, using findings to increase program and instructional effectiveness 
• Assists in the organization and administration of special events 
• By position, performs various tasks to maintain a facility and/or provide program administrative support 
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested 
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours

What You’ll Bring 

We value diversity of ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, sexual identity, gender, religion, language, ability, and experience and exemplify this through the makeup of our team at all levels. You'll be right at home here if you cultivate strong relationships and push yourself, your work, the people around you and Denver to the next level. 

Our ideal candidate has some or all the following experience, skills, and characteristics:  

• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) certification 
• 2 or more years of experience in planning and implementing adaptive recreation programs for people with disabilities 
• Special training, education, or certifications specific to fitness, aquatics and/or working with people with disabilities 
• Instructional experience working with a variety of populations, ability levels and age groups 
• Experience leading and coaching direct reports 
• Possesses a valid Colorado Driver’s License

Don’t have a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) certification? Consider applying for our Non-Certified Adaptive Recreation Instructor position posted now!

Required Minimum Qualifications 

We realize your time is valuable so please do not apply if you do not have at least the following required minimum qualifications: 

Education requirement: Graduation from high school or the possession of a GED, HiSET or TASC Certificate.
Experience Requirement: Two (2) years of experience (paid or volunteer) as an instructor in an organized specialized recreation program with certification in specialized area as required.
Education/Experience Equivalency: Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.
License/Certifications: Certification in the specialized field as required.

Requires certification in CPR/First Aid prior to completion of probation period.

Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.

Application Deadline 

Applications for this position are accepted on a rolling basis. Please submit your application as soon as possible to ensure consideration.  

About Everything Else

Job Profile

RG2109 Activities Leader Certified

To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.

Position Type

Oncall

Position Salary Range

$22.62 - $30.99

Target Pay

$21.54/hour

Agency

Parks and Recreation

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 Jobs@Denvergov.org 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, click here for English or here for Spanish.