How to Become a Contract Instructor

 The City of Dublin works with Independent Contract Instructors to provide recreational services to our community. The Parks and Community Services Department is always looking for new and exciting classes to offer.  

The Department currently offers classes for Preschoolers (Ages: Infant-4); Elementary (Ages: 5-12); Teens (Ages: 13-17); Adults (Ages 18+); and Older Adults (Ages: 55+).


The Department programs classes in three different seasons as outlined below.  Please reference the Contract Instructor Manual for more information.


Season Runs Proposals Due
Spring February - May July/August
Summer Camps/Aquatics May - August August/September
Fall/Winter September - January February/March

Description of a Contract Instructor

The Contract Instructor, their employees, subcontractors, volunteers, or agents shall be independent contractors and not employees of the City of Dublin. Furthermore, the Contract Instructor and their employees and agents shall have no authority, express or implied, to bind the City of Dublin to any obligation whatsoever.

Notwithstanding any other City, State, or federal policy, rule, regulation, law, or ordinance to the contrary, Contract Instructor and their employees, subcontractors, volunteers, or agents providing services shall not qualify for or become entitled to California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) benefits.

To qualify as an Independent Contractor with the City of Dublin you must agree and represent that:

(i)          Contractor has the right to control and direct the means, manner, and method by which the Services required by this Agreement will be performed;

(ii)         Contractor maintains all necessary licenses, registrations, permits, and certifications required to perform the Services under this Agreement;

(iii)        Contractor sets its hours and maintains a business location that is separate from the business or work location of the City;

(iv)        Contractor is customarily engaged in an independently established business providing the same or similar services as provided by this Agreement;

(v)         Contractor can contract with other businesses to provide the same or similar services as provided by this Agreement, without restriction from the City; 

(vi)       Contractor holds itself out to the public as available to provide the same or similar services;

(vii)       Contractor provides its tools, equipment, software, programs, and any other supplies necessary to perform the Services;

(viii)      Contractor can negotiate its rates;

(ix)       Contractor has the right to hire assistants, retain subcontractors, or utilize employees to provide the services required under this Agreement;

(x)        Contractor shall be solely responsible for the payment of payroll taxes and any unemployment compensation on behalf of their employees and personnel; 

(xi)      The Contractor shall be responsible for providing all workers’ compensation insurance on behalf of their employees and, if the Contractor hires employees to perform any work under this Agreement, the Contractor agrees to grant workers’ compensation coverage to the extent required by law.

 Please reference the Contract Instructor Manual for more information.

Step 1: Submitting a Contract Instructor Course Proposal Form

If you have a new, unique, and fun idea for a class, please submit an online Course Proposal Form for Staff consideration.  Course Proposals can be submitted at any time and, if approved, will be programmed accordingly. Please note that an Instructor Services Agreement and all other required documents (outlined below) must be secured following approval of your proposal and before the advertisement of your programs. Before submitting your Course Proposal, you will need to confirm that the above criteria have been met. Additionally, you need to ensure all sections of the proposal form have been completed.  

 Once you have submitted your Proposal online, Staff will review the information submitted and contact you regarding your status. 

Step 2: Contract Instructor Services Agreement Submission
If your proposal is accepted, you will need to obtain and provide the below requirements to enter into an Instructor Services Agreement with the City of Dublin. For detailed information on these requirements, please refer to the Contract Instructor Manual.

  1. City of Dublin Business License (click here to apply for a business license online)
  2. Fingerprinting/Live Scan (required when teaching youth under the age of 18 years)
  3. Form W-9 “Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification”
  4. Commercial General Liability Insurance with an "occurrence" basis, with limits of no less than $1,000,000 per occurrence. Click here to see an example of an accepted Certificate of Insurance (COI)
  5. Additional Insured Endorsement Certificate naming the City of Dublin and its elected officials, officers, employees, agents, and volunteers as additional insured. Click here to see an example of an accepted Additional Insured Endorsement Example
  6. Sexual Abuse and Misconduct (SAM) Liability is to be included as part of your Commercial General Liability Insurance with limits of no less than $1,000,000 if you have more than five (5) employees, and limits of no less than $300,000 if you have four (4) or fewer employees. Alternative Option: Complete a 1-2 hour online training course by a provider approved by the City.
  7. Proof of Automobile Insurance (personal or business)
  8. Workers’ Compensation (required when Contract Instructor has employees). If Contract Instructor does not have employees, then the City will provide you with a No Employees Declaration Form to sign
  9. Mandated Reporting Acknowledgement Form (provided by city)
  10. Tuberculosis Test valid within the last two years (required when teaching youth under the age of 18 years)

Contract Instructor Course Pricing
All Contract Instructors set their prices. Federal IRS rules regarding contracting for services prohibit the City from setting your course fees. You may use the following steps to help you establish your pricing:

  1. Decide on your class minimum. For example, you plan to teach a class once a week for six weeks. You decide your minimum is 6 participants.
  2. Set your course fee per participant. For example, you charge $100 per participant for the six-week session. The calculation is 6 participants x $100 = $600 total revenue
  3. Apply the City's revenue split. Onsite or at school facilities, instructors receive 60% of the resident rates collected. Offsite or virtual programming (using your own/rented facility or Zoom platform), instructors receive 70%. Example: $600 × 0.6 = $360 (onsite), or $600 × 0.7 = $420 (offsite/virtual).

All fees (except materials fees) are collected by the City and the Contract Instructor is paid at class completion.