Youth Soccer Referee

Love soccer and want to make a difference in your community? City of Durango Parks and Recreation is hiring Youth Soccer Referees. We’re looking for reliable individuals who value fair play and can provide clear, patient guidance for young athletes. Whether you're an experienced official or looking for a flexible, outdoors role, help us create a safe and fun environment by modeling respect and sportsmanship.

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.

We're looking for team members who share our core values of teamwork, dependability, professionalism, service, respect, innovation, and wellbeing — and who are excited to make a difference in the community we serve.

What You’ll Do in This Role: 

• Officiate youth soccer games for leagues and tournament play, ensuring rules and sportsmanship are consistently enforced 
• Arrive on time, prepared, and ready to manage games from start to finish 
• Inspect the field, equipment, and player gear to ensure safe playing conditions 
• Communicate with coaches or team captains before games to review rules, expectations, and any field conditions 
• Maintain a professional, neutral presence and avoid engagement with spectators during games
• Monitor player and spectator behavior, addressing concerns and reporting issues to the site supervisor 
• Assist with field set-up and take-down as needed 
• Attend preseason training and stay up to date on rules and officiating practices 
• Support game-day operations, including weather-related cancellations when necessary 
• Return issued equipment and represent the City of Durango in a respectful and professional manner at all times

You Have:

• Knowledge of soccer rules, gameplay, and basic officiating principles 
• Ability to communicate clearly and interact respectfully with participants, coaches, and staff

You Will Succeed in This Role If You:

• Remain calm, fair, and consistent when making decisions during games 
• Are dependable and show up prepared and on time for scheduled assignments 
• Can manage fast-paced situations while maintaining awareness of safety and sportsmanship 
• Work well independently and collaborate effectively with co-officials and staff

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.