Contract Classes

What is a Contract Instructor?

A Contract Instructor is an independent contractor (not a City of Burbank employee) who provides recreational programs and services to the community through the City’s Contract Class program. Contract Instructors must meet the City’s eligibility criteria and be willing to enter into and comply with Burbank’s standard Instructional Services Agreement.

Instructors have the flexibility to design and propose classes in various formats—such as weekly sessions, one-day workshops, or week-long camps during the summer. Classes can be offered at City facilities (subject to availability) or at an approved private facility located in the City of Burbank during the winter, spring, summer, and fall seasons.

All classes are reviewed on a seasonal basis, and there is no guarantee of contract renewal. Compensation is based on a revenue-sharing model, which varies depending on the class location. Instructors using a City facility receive 65% of the collected revenue (with 35% going to the City), while those using their own facility generally receive 70% of the revenue (with 30% going to the City).

The City of Burbank promotes Contract Classes through its quarterly Recreation Guide and online platforms. The City also handles all class registrations and fee collection. Instructors submit a payment request after the completion of services to receive their share of the revenue.

How to Get Started

Step 1: Interested instructors must complete and submit an Instructor Interest Form to be considered for the program. Forms will be kept on file for up to one year. Any form that includes class proposals not meeting the established criteria (see Contract Class Criteria section below) will be disqualified. Please note that submitting an Instructor Interest Form does not guarantee acceptance into the Contract Instructor Program.

Instructor Interest Form Deadlines:

Step 2: The Contract Class Program Supervisor will review all submitted forms and contact qualified applicants to schedule a meeting. This meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss class proposals in more detail and review program expectations and requirements (see Contract Instructor Requirements section).

Step 3: If selected to move forward, applicants must attend a New Instructor Orientation, which provides an in-depth overview of the Contract Instructor Program. Applicants not selected will be notified accordingly.

Step 4: Approved instructors will receive a Jotform link to submit class proposals for the upcoming session. Please note that submitting a class proposal does not guarantee approval. If there are scheduling or space conflicts, City staff will reach out to coordinate alternative options.
 

Contract Class Criteria

When reviewing Contract Class proposals, the City of Burbank evaluates each submission based on the following criteria. The City reserves the right to interpret proposals in a fair and consistent manner aligned with the mission, values, and strategic goals of the Contract Class Program.

A proposal must meet the following standards:

• Community Relevance: The class should be engaging, of interest to the community, and clearly align with City services and priorities.

• Instructor Qualifications: The instructor must be at least 18 years old and possess relevant experience, training, and/or education that demonstrates subject matter expertise.

• Quality and Service: The instructor must show the ability to deliver high-quality programming and exceptional customer service.

• Reasonable Fee Structure: Class fees should be reasonable for participants and allow the City to recover any related operational costs.

• Program Uniqueness: The proposed class should not duplicate existing programs that already meet community demand or were previously discontinued due to low enrollment.

• Safety: Class activities must not present any unreasonable safety risk to participants.

• Legal and Policy Compliance: All curriculum and activities must comply with applicable Federal, State, County, and City laws, ordinances, rules, and policies.

• Facility Use: Proposals are subject to space availability if the instructor requests to use a City facility.

• Off-site Facilities: If a class is held at the instructor’s own location, the site must be clean, safe, accessible, and in compliance with relevant regulations.

• No Financial Solicitation: Classes may not involve the sale of products or services, solicitations, investment advice, or any content that could pose a financial risk to participants.

• Content Restrictions: Proposals must not promote alcohol, tobacco, drugs, firearms, weapons, gambling, or any adult-themed or sexually explicit content.

• Religious Neutrality: Classes may not include or promote religious instruction, practices, rituals, or ideologies.