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Event Volunteer Role
Head Referee
As a Head Referee, you’ll lead the referee team in applying game rules with fairness and consistency while helping to create a safe, positive, and competitive environment. This high-impact leadership role is perfect for experienced volunteers who are passionate about supporting teams and ensuring smooth, accurate, and spirited match play.
Volunteer as a Head Referee
The Head Referee is responsible for overseeing the application of game rules and ensuring fair play across the competition field. This volunteer leads and supports the referee team, provides pre-event and day-of-event training, and ensures accurate scoring and consistent rulings throughout the event. Head Referees work closely with event staff to maintain the pace and flow of match play, promote safety and Gracious Professionalism®, and help create a positive experience for all participants. This role requires strong communication skills, impartiality, and a deep understanding of the current season’s game rules and updates.
Minimum Age: varies by program (see below)
Experience: Both FIRST and related field experience preferred
Training: Advanced pre-event training required
Role Details / Responsibilities:
- Facilitate a positive and fair competition environment for all participants
- Observe matches, "call" rule infractions
- Lead score deliberations, if necessary, and make final decisions regarding match scores or contested penalties
- Monitor and promote safe practices on and around the playing field leading by example
- Work with the Volunteer Coordinator prior to event to ensure the referee roles are filled and certified
- Volunteers should focus on the role they are filling at that event. This includes:
- Helping avoid the appearance of bias by not cheering for one specific team when wearing official event apparel (volunteer shirt or FIRST/Partner staff clothing). Instead, we encourage volunteers to cheer for all teams equally.
- Refrain from accessing sensitive event areas unless they are necessary to fulfill your volunteer role for this event. This can include playing field access, scoring table and judging rooms.
- Wearing volunteer specific apparel (e.g. FTA shirt, Robot Inspector hat, etc) only when filling that specific role
- Sign and comply with Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Statement if applicable
- Must read and comply with the Volunteer Handbook
Reports to: Varies by program (see below)
Want to prepare to be a Head Referee? Referee is a great introductory role to start volunteering around the field.
Volunteer as a Head Referee in three distinct FIRST programs
Learn more about volunteering as a Head Referee in each program.
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FIRST LEGO League Challenge
Program Role DetailsHead Referee with FIRST LEGO League Challenge
- Helps recruit, train, and oversee all tournament referees.
- Has comprehensive knowledge of the season field setup, missions, rules, and challenge updates.
- Responsible for tracking and timing robot performance rounds and coordinating referees with the Emcee, Scorekeeper, and the Field Manager.
- Performs quality assurance on tournament Challenge Sets and all competition and practice fields before the event.
- Ensures Judge Advisor has final Robot Game scores to be used in final judging deliberations
- Advanced knowledge of the competition game and rules of play.
- Previous FIRST LEGO League experience required.
Minimum Age: 21 years old
Reports to: Tournament Director
Role Training:
- Requires completion of the training module in FIRST Training (accessible via your FIRST dashboard)
- FIRST Data Protection training required
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FIRST Tech Challenge
Program Role DetailsHead Referee with FIRST Tech Challenge
- Head referees play a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play and keeping the pace of the event.
- 2 prior years of FIRST Tech Challenge referee experience (exceptions may be granted by FIRST)
- Ability to balance the nature of the position as one of ensuring fair play, while acting as a mentor and role model to students participating in FIRST Tech Challenge required
- Thorough knowledge of the competition game and rules of play required, including staying up-to-date with Team Updates
- Supervise Referees
- Participate in deliberations with the FTA, Field Supervisor, and Lead Robot Inspector regarding robot-related issues as required
- Secure and distribute referee supplies as needed
Minimum Age: 21, 23+ preferred
- Exceptions may be granted by event Volunteer Coordinators after review and approval by the local Program Delivery Partner
Role Training:
The following trainings are required through FIRST Training:
- Data Privacy and Protection Training
- Referee Training
- Head Referee Training
Role Resources:
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FIRST Robotics Competition
program role detailsHead Referee with FIRST Robotics Competition
- 4 prior years of FIRST Robotics Competition referee experience (exceptions may be granted by FIRST)
- Head Referees are limited to 3 events per season in the Head Referee role (exceptions may be granted by FIRST)
- Ability to balance the nature of the position as one of ensuring fair play, while acting as a mentor and role model to students participating in FIRST Robotics Competition required
- Thorough knowledge of the competition game and rules of play required, including staying up-to-date with Team Updates
- Supervise Referees and Official Scorers (as applicable), starting with a conference call for the event’s Referee crew approx. 1 week before the event begins
- Participate in deliberations with the FTA, Field Supervisor, and Lead Robot Inspector regarding robot-related issues as required
- Secure and distribute referee supplies, manage referee radio sets (ensuring they are charged in advance and returned at the end of the day), and pack Referee case at the conclusion of the event
- Attend the daily morning meeting as directed by the Event Manager
Minimum Age: 23 years old
- Exceptions may be granted by event Volunteer Coordinators after review and approval by the local Program Delivery Partner
- Pre-event season training
- Must successfully complete online Head Referee & Referee certifications by the deadline set by FIRST
- Minimum 2 full day commitment (Districts)
- Minimum 3 full day commitment (Regionals)
Reports to: Co-Global Head Referees, and designated FIRST contact
Role Training:
The following trainings are required through FIRST Training:
- Data Privacy and Protection Training
- Referee Training
- Head Referee Training
Role Resources:
-
FIRST Championship
Championship Role DetailsHead Referee at FIRST Championship
This role is available in the following programs at Championship with the additional requirements below:
FIRST LEGO League Challenge:
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment: Tuesday – Saturday, full day. Pre-event participation required
- Number of Volunteers in Role: 2
FIRST Tech Challenge:
- Head Referees for the Championship events must be a Head Referee at a minimum of one official FIRST Tech Challenge event during the current competition season.
- Head Referees for the Championship events will be selected from assigned referees and approved by FIRST Staff and the Global Head Referees. We select the most experienced volunteers first when assigning.
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Must attend training Thursday morning
- Volunteers are needed Thursday Morning – Saturday Afternoon
- Preferred – Attend the Drivers’ Meeting Wednesday afternoon
- Detailed scheduling information will be provided in advance of the event.
- Reports to: Global Head Referees and FIRST Staff
FIRST Robotics Competition:
- Head Referees for the Championship events must be a Head Referee at a minimum of one official FIRST Robotics Competition event during the current competition season.
- Head Referees for the Championship events will be selected from assigned referees and approved by FIRST Staff and the Global Head Referees. We select the most experienced volunteer first when assigning.
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Must attend training Thursday morning
- Volunteers are needed Thursday Morning – Saturday Afternoon
- Preferred – Attend the Drivers’ Meeting Wednesday afternoon
- Detailed scheduling information will be provided in advance of the event.
- Reports to: Global Head Referees and FIRST Staff
Program Role Details
Head Referee with FIRST LEGO League Challenge
- Helps recruit, train, and oversee all tournament referees.
- Has comprehensive knowledge of the season field setup, missions, rules, and challenge updates.
- Responsible for tracking and timing robot performance rounds and coordinating referees with the Emcee, Scorekeeper, and the Field Manager.
- Performs quality assurance on tournament Challenge Sets and all competition and practice fields before the event.
- Ensures Judge Advisor has final Robot Game scores to be used in final judging deliberations
- Advanced knowledge of the competition game and rules of play.
- Previous FIRST LEGO League experience required.
Minimum Age: 21 years old
Reports to: Tournament Director
Role Training:
- Requires completion of the training module in FIRST Training (accessible via your FIRST dashboard)
- FIRST Data Protection training required
Program Role Details
Head Referee with FIRST Tech Challenge
- Head referees play a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play and keeping the pace of the event.
- 2 prior years of FIRST Tech Challenge referee experience (exceptions may be granted by FIRST)
- Ability to balance the nature of the position as one of ensuring fair play, while acting as a mentor and role model to students participating in FIRST Tech Challenge required
- Thorough knowledge of the competition game and rules of play required, including staying up-to-date with Team Updates
- Supervise Referees
- Participate in deliberations with the FTA, Field Supervisor, and Lead Robot Inspector regarding robot-related issues as required
- Secure and distribute referee supplies as needed
Minimum Age: 21, 23+ preferred
- Exceptions may be granted by event Volunteer Coordinators after review and approval by the local Program Delivery Partner
Role Training:
The following trainings are required through FIRST Training:
- Data Privacy and Protection Training
- Referee Training
- Head Referee Training
Role Resources:
program role details
Head Referee with FIRST Robotics Competition
- 4 prior years of FIRST Robotics Competition referee experience (exceptions may be granted by FIRST)
- Head Referees are limited to 3 events per season in the Head Referee role (exceptions may be granted by FIRST)
- Ability to balance the nature of the position as one of ensuring fair play, while acting as a mentor and role model to students participating in FIRST Robotics Competition required
- Thorough knowledge of the competition game and rules of play required, including staying up-to-date with Team Updates
- Supervise Referees and Official Scorers (as applicable), starting with a conference call for the event’s Referee crew approx. 1 week before the event begins
- Participate in deliberations with the FTA, Field Supervisor, and Lead Robot Inspector regarding robot-related issues as required
- Secure and distribute referee supplies, manage referee radio sets (ensuring they are charged in advance and returned at the end of the day), and pack Referee case at the conclusion of the event
- Attend the daily morning meeting as directed by the Event Manager
Minimum Age: 23 years old
- Exceptions may be granted by event Volunteer Coordinators after review and approval by the local Program Delivery Partner
- Pre-event season training
- Must successfully complete online Head Referee & Referee certifications by the deadline set by FIRST
- Minimum 2 full day commitment (Districts)
- Minimum 3 full day commitment (Regionals)
Reports to: Co-Global Head Referees, and designated FIRST contact
Role Training:
The following trainings are required through FIRST Training:
- Data Privacy and Protection Training
- Referee Training
- Head Referee Training
Role Resources:
Championship Role Details
Head Referee at FIRST Championship
This role is available in the following programs at Championship with the additional requirements below:
FIRST LEGO League Challenge:
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment: Tuesday – Saturday, full day. Pre-event participation required
- Number of Volunteers in Role: 2
FIRST Tech Challenge:
- Head Referees for the Championship events must be a Head Referee at a minimum of one official FIRST Tech Challenge event during the current competition season.
- Head Referees for the Championship events will be selected from assigned referees and approved by FIRST Staff and the Global Head Referees. We select the most experienced volunteers first when assigning.
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Must attend training Thursday morning
- Volunteers are needed Thursday Morning – Saturday Afternoon
- Preferred – Attend the Drivers’ Meeting Wednesday afternoon
- Detailed scheduling information will be provided in advance of the event.
- Reports to: Global Head Referees and FIRST Staff
FIRST Robotics Competition:
- Head Referees for the Championship events must be a Head Referee at a minimum of one official FIRST Robotics Competition event during the current competition season.
- Head Referees for the Championship events will be selected from assigned referees and approved by FIRST Staff and the Global Head Referees. We select the most experienced volunteer first when assigning.
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Must attend training Thursday morning
- Volunteers are needed Thursday Morning – Saturday Afternoon
- Preferred – Attend the Drivers’ Meeting Wednesday afternoon
- Detailed scheduling information will be provided in advance of the event.
- Reports to: Global Head Referees and FIRST Staff
Event Volunteer Roles