What are the responsibilities and job description for the Head Daycare Leader position at City of Durango?
Description
Step into a leadership role in our Gametime afterschool program as a Head Daycare Leader, where you’ll guide a team of three to five Gametime Program Leaders, support daily operations, and help create a consistent, welcoming environment for 25-30 children.
We offer flexible scheduling and are hiring for both seasonal and part-time positions and are looking for leaders willing to work between 7:30 a.m. and 6:15 p.m.
The purpose of the Durango Parks and Recreation Gametime Program is to provide children the opportunity to form new relationships and try new things while participating in various activities in a well-supervised, safe, and supportive environment.
Our Philosophy
Our main objective is to provide a safe, healthy, and fun environment for the children, while allowing parents to feel comfortable knowing that their children will be cared for in a professional and positive way. We believe that each child is unique and will bring their own personalities and interests to the program. The goal of each leader is to coordinate group dynamics so that each child feels comfortable participating to the best of their abilities. We follow each week’s schedule of activities, and allow children ample time to explore, imagine and create their own fun, while meeting new friends and practicing appropriate socialization skills.
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:
Essential Job Duties
What You’ll Do in This Role:
To qualify for this position, you must have verifiable education or training in working with school-age children (e.g., recreation, education, scouting, 4-H) and meet one of the following:
What We Can Offer You: The following perks are available for part-time and seasonal employees.
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
Step into a leadership role in our Gametime afterschool program as a Head Daycare Leader, where you’ll guide a team of three to five Gametime Program Leaders, support daily operations, and help create a consistent, welcoming environment for 25-30 children.
We offer flexible scheduling and are hiring for both seasonal and part-time positions and are looking for leaders willing to work between 7:30 a.m. and 6:15 p.m.
- Seasonal (six months): Runs from spring to fall, scheduled Monday–Friday with up to 40 hours per week
- Part-Time (year-round): Flexible schedule, up to 20–27 hours per week
The purpose of the Durango Parks and Recreation Gametime Program is to provide children the opportunity to form new relationships and try new things while participating in various activities in a well-supervised, safe, and supportive environment.
Our Philosophy
Our main objective is to provide a safe, healthy, and fun environment for the children, while allowing parents to feel comfortable knowing that their children will be cared for in a professional and positive way. We believe that each child is unique and will bring their own personalities and interests to the program. The goal of each leader is to coordinate group dynamics so that each child feels comfortable participating to the best of their abilities. We follow each week’s schedule of activities, and allow children ample time to explore, imagine and create their own fun, while meeting new friends and practicing appropriate socialization skills.
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.
Essential Job Duties
What You’ll Do in This Role:
- Attend pre-season staff/director meetings and all required training sessions
- Assist the Program Supervisor with registration and program paperwork
- Maintain organized and up-to-date program files (emergency information, parent packets, incident and discipline reports, staff information, etc.)
- Assist with hiring and separation of staff
- Oversee Leader performance and ensure clear understanding of rules and expectations
- Ensure Leaders follow all policies and procedures related to first aid, discipline, transportation, and conduct
- Develop and manage staff schedules
- Arrange substitute coverage when Leaders are absent
- Schedule and facilitate staff meetings
- Help obtain and maintain supplies for program sites
- Ensure the assigned site remains clean, organized, and compliant with state regulations for school-age programs
- Maintain appropriate professional appearance for all activities
- Report to work on time and maintain reliable attendance
- Serve as a primary point of contact for families and represent the Gametime program in a professional manner
- Create and implement weekly activity schedules
- Coordinate and assist with transportation from local elementary schools to the Durango Community Recreation Center
- Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned
To qualify for this position, you must have verifiable education or training in working with school-age children (e.g., recreation, education, scouting, 4-H) and meet one of the following:
- Bachelor’s degree in recreation, education (with a specialty in art, elementary, or early childhood education), or a related field;
- OR two years of college coursework and at least six months of verifiable full-time (or part-time equivalent) experience after the age of 18 providing care and supervision for four (4) or more children;
- OR three years of verifiable full-time (or part-time equivalent) experience after the age of 18 providing care and supervision for four (4) or more children. If qualifying through experience, you must complete 6 semester hours, 9 quarter hours, or 40 clock hours of coursework applicable to school-age children within the first 9 months of employment.
- Ability to read and write at a level necessary for successful job performance
- Valid driver’s license (or ability to obtain) to transport children if assigned.
- Have experience leading or supporting a team in a youth program setting
- Stay organized and communicate clearly with staff, families, and supervisors
- Are comfortable managing schedules, logistics, and day-to-day problem solving
- Support a positive team culture and hold staff accountable to expectations
- Bring energy, patience, and a genuine interest in working with kids
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
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