## Recreation Instructor - Outdoor Recreation The City and County of Denver's Department of Parks and Recreation is looking for passionate outdoor enthusiasts to join our Outdoor Recreation team. If you love getting people excited about Colorado's incredible outdoor spaces—from mountain peaks to urban parks—and you're ready to lead everything from rock climbing expeditions to water sports adventures, this could be your role. ### About the Position This is an on-call, part-time hourly position that won't exceed 39 hours per week. You'll earn $19.80/hour and have the opportunity to enroll in the City and County of Denver's 457b retirement plan. The salary range for this position is $19.29 - $26.43/hour, with your target pay at $19.80/hour. Staffing needs vary season to season, with spring through fall being the busiest time of year for programming. You'll work at various on-site locations throughout Denver's park system, often in some of Colorado's most sought-after outdoor spaces—the Denver Mountain Parks, Denver Urban Parks, the Genesee Challenge Course, and other parks and open spaces across the state. Programs run on weekdays and weekends, so you'll need flexibility with your schedule. ### What You'll Be Doing You'll facilitate and support a diverse range of outdoor recreation programs for families, youth, adults, and active older adults. These programs include stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, backcountry rock climbing, team building exercises, low and high elements instruction at the Genesee Challenge Course, learn-to-ski and snowboard programs in collaboration with Winter Park, plus hiking, ice skating, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing adventures. Day-to-day, you'll deliver exceptional customer service to all program participants while maintaining rigorous attention to safety during activities. You're responsible for creating a positive group atmosphere where every participant feels welcomed, included, and supported. You'll handle program registration, documentation (end-of-day trip reports, incident/accident reports, equipment logs), monitor weather conditions and adjust plans when needed, and identify and minimize environmental risks while following departmental policies and procedures. You'll also drive department vehicles—including trucks with trailers and 15-passenger mini-buses with participants. When the situation calls for it, you're prepared to respond to emergencies, provide appropriate patient care, and know how to summon help or initiate rescue in backcountry environments where cell reception doesn't exist. The good news? Our department provides intensive training for staff in areas where they don't have direct professional experience, so you'll grow while you work. ### What We're Looking For You're a well-rounded outdoor or recreation enthusiast with extensive personal and/or professional experience in areas like challenge course instruction, backpacking, camping, water sports, rock climbing and belaying, skateboarding, biking, or similar activities. You need one year of experience assisting in the operation and instruction of organized recreation activities. Reliable transportation and availability to lead activities throughout our extensive program service area are essential. You'll participate in activity-specific in-house trainings throughout the season. Ideal candidates bring: - Experience leading outdoor programming - Experience working with youth and adults in recreation settings - Experience guiding rock climbing, facilitating challenge courses, or leading other urban outdoor sports - Availability during our peak spring-fall season - Experience driving passenger vans, light-duty trucks, and trailers - CPR and First Aid Certification (required within 6 months of hire) - Valid driver's license at time of application - Bilingual language skills (preferred; bilingual staff may earn additional stipends when using a second language on the job) - Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder Certification (preferred but not required) ### Education and Licensing Requirements You'll need a high school diploma or the equivalent (GED, Hi. SET, or TASC Certificate). Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum one year of experience. CPR and First Aid Certification must be obtained within 6 months of your hire date. A valid driver's license is required at the time of application. Employees may be eligible to drive department and city vehicles and will be subject to motor vehicle record checks and required to pass a city-sponsored driver safety training course. All licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of continued employment. ### Why Join Denver Parks and Recreation 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. You'll join a diverse, inclusive workforce of more than 11,000 team members at the heart of what makes Denver special. The city values diversity of ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, sexual identity, gender, religion, language, ability, and experience, and you'll see this reflected throughout the team at all levels. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and this posting may close at any time, so apply as soon as possible to ensure consideration.