Youth Program Leader

Salary: $16.19 - $22.90 Hourly
Location : City of Thornton; Community Center, CO
Job Type: Temporary Part-Time
Job Number: 26084
Department: Parks, Recreation, & Community Programs
Division: Recreation and Golf Temporary
Opening Date: 03/18/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
WORK HOURS: HOURS VARY
PROBATION: None, not career service
STATUS 2: FLSA NON-EXEMPT

This position supports licensed and drop-in programs for Southern Stars, Carpenter Recreation Center Summer Camp & Thornton Community Center Summer Camp.

This position will remain open until filled.
Under specified supervision, assists with various licensed or non-licensed youth programs.
Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from Youth Program Leader I or, when filled from the outside, require previous and directly related experience.
Youth Program Leader I:

This is the entry-level class in the Youth Program Leader series. Incumbents entering this class have limited related work experience.
Youth Program Leader II:

This is the journey-level class in the Youth Program Leader series.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)
Assists with the supervision of participants.
Assists with providing age-appropriate activities.
Sets up, tears down activities.
Enforces safety standards and regulations throughout the program to ensure compliance with local, state and federal laws. Ensures all possible safety measures are observed. Responds to emergency situations as required and maintains accurate accident and incident reports.
Provides outreach to youth and teens in the community.
Develops and builds relationships with youth and their families.
Provides excellent customer service, including interacting with parents to answer questions and resolve problems.
Reports parental issues and concerns to supervisor.
Complies with, communicates, and enforces City, departmental, facility, and program rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
May assist in planning and implementing program curriculum and activities.
May assist in the promotion of scheduled activities.
Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Experience:

Youth Program Leader I:

Must be at least 16 years of age. Experience working with children ages 5-15 years of age.
Youth Program Leader II:

Non-licensed programs: Must be at least 17 years of age; and have at least one year (270 hours) of experience working with children ages 5-15 years of age.
State requirements for Licensed Programs: Must be at least 18 years of age; and have at least 460 hours of verifiable experience working with school-age children.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Licensing/Certification Requirements:

Requires Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid certifications or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
May need the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as the job requires.
Licensed Programs:

In addition to the previous requirements:

Requires Standard Precautions and/or Medication Administration certifications or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire. Current health statement (physical) required.


Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of the policies, procedures and goals of the City of Thornton and the department.

Knowledge of basic child care principles.

Skill in performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), First Aid and Standard Precautions activities.

Skill in the safe and healthy operation of a structured program.

Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with the public.

Ability to effectively lead and coordinate children's activities.

Ability to read, interpret and apply operating policies and procedures.

Ability to react quickly and accurately in emergency situations.

Ability to listen well and communicate effectively with children ages 5-15 years of age and with parents.

Ability to promote and provide a quality program.

Ability to maintain composure during mentally, physically and emotionally stressful situations.

Ability to react quickly and accurately to changing elements.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, finger, grasp, feel, talk, hear, and make repetitive motions. This job requires medium work: exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. The employee must demonstrate the ability to remain calm during routine and stressful conditions. The employee is required to have visual acuity to operate motor vehicles. The employee may be subject to both indoor and outdoor environmental conditions including being in extreme heat. The noise level in the environment is usually moderate to high.

TESTING PROCEDURES
Examinations may include but are not limited to application screening beyond minimum qualifications; written, oral, practical exercise or any combination thereof or other job related assessment deemed appropriate by Human Resources.


Your application will be used as a screening tool. Completeness and accuracy are important! Any false or untrue statements or material omissions in the application and related paperwork or during the selection process could disqualify you from consideration.


As a condition of employment, the city of Thornton conducts background investigations for all positions which may also include a review of credit report and/or driving record. A drug screen, physical, and/or psychological examination administered by a city-designated provider will be required for pre-determined positions.
The City of Thornton offers employees an outstanding benefits package. Benefit eligibility is based on the status of the position. Please email View email address on click.appcast.io to receive a copy of our current Benefits Guide.

Benefits offered may include the following depending on the job type/status of the position:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life, Dependent Life & Supplemental Life Insurance Options
• Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment Policy
• Flexible Spending Plan
• Post Employment Health Plan
• Retirement & Deferred Compensation Plans
• Short & Long-term Disability Plans
• Paid Holidays
• Vacation & Sick Leave
• Multilingual Incentive Pay
• Recreation Pass
• Wellness Program
• In-House Training Opportunities
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program

01


Please select your current age range:

• Under 16 years old
• 16 - 17 years old
• 18 or older

02


Do you have experience working with children ages 5 to 15 years old?

• Yes
• No

03


Please select the appropriate range of your experience working with children 5 to 15 years of age. Your application/resume must reflect this experience.

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1-2 years
• 2-3 years
• 4 years or more

04


Please describe your experience working with children/teens.
05


Do you have a current CPR and/or First Aid certification? Check all that apply.

• CPR
• First Aid
• None

Required Question