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Event Volunteer Role
Judge Advisor
As a Judge Advisor, you’ll lead the judging process by training and supporting the Judge Panel, ensuring consistency, fairness, and alignment with FIRST standards throughout the event. This rewarding leadership role is ideal for experienced volunteers who enjoy mentoring others and are passionate about creating a positive, inspiring experience for all teams.
Volunteer as a Judge Advisor
The Judge Advisor is responsible for overseeing and facilitating the judging process at events. Rather than selecting award recipients, Judge Advisors train, support, and guide the judge panel, ensuring adherence to award criteria, consistency in judging standards, and alignment with FIRST policies. This role requires strong organization, communication, and critical thinking skills, as well as the ability to lead a team and model the FIRST Core Values. Judge Advisors are expected to complete pre-event training and certification, manage judging logistics and deliberations, and help create a respectful, fair, and inspiring environment for teams and volunteers alike.
Minimum Age: varies by program (see below)
Experience: Both FIRST and related field experience required
Training: Advanced pre-event training required
Role Details / Responsibilities:
- Maintain confidentiality of volunteer information in accordance with FIRST Privacy Policy.
- This position requires a high level of organization and interpersonal skills
- Judge Advisors do not participate in selecting awards but rather facilitate that process
- 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
Want to prepare to be a Judge Advisor? Judge is a great introductory role to start volunteering around the field.
Volunteer as a Judge Advisor in three distinct FIRST programs
Learn more about volunteering as a Judge Advisor in each program.
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FIRST LEGO League Challenge
Program Role DetailsJudge Advisor with FIRST LEGO League Challenge
- Rather than judge teams, the judge advisor oversees the judging process and judging quality for the event.
- Ensures that FIRST LEGO League Challenge standards for judging and awards are followed and FIRST LEGO League event rubrics are used.
- Responsible for overseeing all Judges for the event, including any necessary pre-event communication and training.
- Ensures paperwork is provided for the Judges (including rubrics, session flowchart, judge questions, session script and awards list) for each pod.
- Requires familiarity with the advancement policy and training to use the Official Judging Spreadsheet.
- Judge advisors should always uphold and model the FIRST Core Values: Discovery, Inclusion, Innovation, Impact, Teamwork and Fun.
- Detailed knowledge of the Official Judging Spreadsheet and FIRST LEGO League Challenge awards allocation needed for their specific events and the FIRST LEGO League Challenge advancement policy.
- Previous FIRST LEGO League experience required.
Minimum Age: 21 years old
Role Training:
- Requires completion of the training module in FIRST Training.
- FIRST Data Protection training required.
Role Resources:
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FIRST Tech Challenge
Program Role DetailsJudge Advisor with FIRST Tech Challenge
The judge advisor coordinates the judging process, which includes facilitating group deliberation sessions, ensuring the award decisions are made, and the awards script is written. Sometimes the judge advisor trains judges and can help in scheduling the judging interviews. The judges, judge advisor assistant, and judge match observers look to the judge advisor for training materials, schedules, and other general questions throughout the event.
- Review expectations for the day and the schedule with the judges and judge advisor assistants.
- Receive list of teams registered for the event and any that have received the Inspire award.
- Responsible for overseeing all Judges for the event, including any necessary pre-event communication and training.
- Ensures paperwork is provided for the Judges (including rubrics, session flowchart, judge questions, session script and awards list) for each panel.
- Participate in all required Judge Advisor training provided by FIRST and the Global Judge Advisors, including reading the Judge manual and other materials yearly
- Judge Advisors may be asked to recruit or help recruit Judges. Judge Advisors should work with their Planning Committee and Volunteer Coordinator to understand who will be doing the Judge recruiting.
- Must understand and advise judges regarding any relationships with FIRST Tech Challenge teams at the event (Conflict of Interest Management)
- Excellent organizational and communication skills required
- Ensure the judging panel has completed the required training pre-event
- Lead the judge panel on-site
- Facilitate award decisions, clarify award guidelines, and ensure the overall consistency of the awards process in accordance with FIRST policy and guidelines noted in the Judge Manual
Minimum Age: 23 years old
- Exceptions may be granted by FIRST
Experience: Minimum of 3 years as a Judge at a FIRST Tech Challenge event
- Exceptions may be granted by FIRST
Role Training:
- Pre-event certification provided by FIRST prior to start of competition season. Judge Advisors are responsible for reviewing materials, slack messages, and email blasts throughout the season
- The following trainings are required through FIRST Training:
- Judge Advisor Certification
- Data Privacy and Protection Training
Reports to: Judge Advisors work in partnership with FIRST staff and Program Delivery Partners (PDPs) and Event Director to deliver a high-quality event experience to teams. JAs collaborate closely with event staff, the Volunteer Coordinator (VC), FIRST staff, and PDPs to ensure a successful event. JAs may also consult with the Global Key JAs or FIRST staff on aspects related to their role responsibilities.
Role Resources:
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FIRST Robotics Competition
program role detailsJudge Advisor with FIRST Robotics Competition
- Participate in all required Judge Advisor training provided by FIRST and the Global Judge Advisors, including reading the Judge manual and other materials yearly
- Must communicate with their group of Judges prior to their event. This may include email or phone communication starting at least one month before and leading up to the event.
- Judge Advisors may be asked to recruit or help recruit Judges. Judge Advisors should work with their Planning Committee and Volunteer Coordinator to understand who will be doing the Judge recruiting.
- Must understand and advise judges regarding any relationships with FIRST Robotics Competition teams at the event
- Attend the daily morning meeting if directed by the Event Manager
- Excellent organizational and communication skills required
- Ensure the judging panel has completed the required training pre-event
- Lead the judge panel on-site
- Facilitate award decisions, clarify award guidelines, and ensure the overall consistency of the awards process in accordance with FIRST policy and guidelines noted in the Judge Manual
Minimum Age: 23 years old
- Exceptions may be granted by FIRST
- Exceptions may be granted by FIRST
Nomination: The Judge Advisor is submitted by the Planning Committee via the Program Delivery Partner. Once submitted, the individual must be approved through FIRST and the Global Judge Advisors. Once approved the candidate will be contacted and assigned by FIRST.
Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Pre-event Commitment:
- November – December: Review training materials and help recruit judges (approx. 5 - 10 hours)
- January – April: Review training materials, Complete JA certification, Recruit judges, Prepare materials for event (approx. 15 hours)
- During Event Commitment:
- Minimum 2 full day commitment at event
Role Training:
- Pre-event certification provided by FIRST prior to start of competition season. Judge Advisors are responsible for reviewing materials, slack messages, and email blasts throughout the season
- The following trainings are required through FIRST Training:
- Judge Advisor Certification
- Data Privacy and Protection Training
Reports to: Judge Advisors work in partnership with FIRST staff and Program Delivery Partners (PDPs) to deliver a high-quality event experience to teams. JAs collaborate closely with event staff, the Volunteer Coordinator (VC), FIRST staff, and PDPs to ensure a successful event. JAs may also consult with the Co-Global JAs or FIRST staff on aspects related to their role responsibilities.
Role Resources:
- Judge Manual
- Judge Covenants
- Award Workbook
- Technical Judging Tip Sheet
- Dean’s List Award Judging Guidelines
- FIRST Impact Award Judging Guidelines
- FIRST Impact Award Definitions
- *An invitation to join the Box.com folder will be sent via email by the Trainer/FIRST.
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FIRST Championship
Championship Role DetailsJudge Advisor at FIRST Championship
This role is available in the following programs at Championship with the additional requirements below:
FIRST LEGO League Challenge:
- This role is identified and assigned by the Event Manager.
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Wednesday – Saturday, full day. Pre-event participation required.
- Number of Volunteers in Role: 1-2
FIRST Tech Challenge:
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Minimum 3 full days (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) commitment
- Optional but preferred: Saturday Morning for awards presentations
- More information with times will be sent before the event.
- Reports to: Global Key Judge Advisors and FIRST Staff
FIRST Robotics Competition:
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Minimum 2 full day (Thursday and Friday) commitment
- Optional but preferred: Wednesday to help with setup and Saturday Morning for awards presentations
- More information with times will be sent before the event.
- Reports to: Global Judge Advisors and FIRST Staff
Program Role Details
Judge Advisor with FIRST LEGO League Challenge
- Rather than judge teams, the judge advisor oversees the judging process and judging quality for the event.
- Ensures that FIRST LEGO League Challenge standards for judging and awards are followed and FIRST LEGO League event rubrics are used.
- Responsible for overseeing all Judges for the event, including any necessary pre-event communication and training.
- Ensures paperwork is provided for the Judges (including rubrics, session flowchart, judge questions, session script and awards list) for each pod.
- Requires familiarity with the advancement policy and training to use the Official Judging Spreadsheet.
- Judge advisors should always uphold and model the FIRST Core Values: Discovery, Inclusion, Innovation, Impact, Teamwork and Fun.
- Detailed knowledge of the Official Judging Spreadsheet and FIRST LEGO League Challenge awards allocation needed for their specific events and the FIRST LEGO League Challenge advancement policy.
- Previous FIRST LEGO League experience required.
Minimum Age: 21 years old
Role Training:
- Requires completion of the training module in FIRST Training.
- FIRST Data Protection training required.
Role Resources:
Program Role Details
Judge Advisor with FIRST Tech Challenge
The judge advisor coordinates the judging process, which includes facilitating group deliberation sessions, ensuring the award decisions are made, and the awards script is written. Sometimes the judge advisor trains judges and can help in scheduling the judging interviews. The judges, judge advisor assistant, and judge match observers look to the judge advisor for training materials, schedules, and other general questions throughout the event.- Review expectations for the day and the schedule with the judges and judge advisor assistants.
- Receive list of teams registered for the event and any that have received the Inspire award.
- Responsible for overseeing all Judges for the event, including any necessary pre-event communication and training.
- Ensures paperwork is provided for the Judges (including rubrics, session flowchart, judge questions, session script and awards list) for each panel.
- Participate in all required Judge Advisor training provided by FIRST and the Global Judge Advisors, including reading the Judge manual and other materials yearly
- Judge Advisors may be asked to recruit or help recruit Judges. Judge Advisors should work with their Planning Committee and Volunteer Coordinator to understand who will be doing the Judge recruiting.
- Must understand and advise judges regarding any relationships with FIRST Tech Challenge teams at the event (Conflict of Interest Management)
- Excellent organizational and communication skills required
- Ensure the judging panel has completed the required training pre-event
- Lead the judge panel on-site
- Facilitate award decisions, clarify award guidelines, and ensure the overall consistency of the awards process in accordance with FIRST policy and guidelines noted in the Judge Manual
Minimum Age: 23 years old
- Exceptions may be granted by FIRST
Experience: Minimum of 3 years as a Judge at a FIRST Tech Challenge event
- Exceptions may be granted by FIRST
Role Training:
- Pre-event certification provided by FIRST prior to start of competition season. Judge Advisors are responsible for reviewing materials, slack messages, and email blasts throughout the season
- The following trainings are required through FIRST Training:
- Judge Advisor Certification
- Data Privacy and Protection Training
Reports to: Judge Advisors work in partnership with FIRST staff and Program Delivery Partners (PDPs) and Event Director to deliver a high-quality event experience to teams. JAs collaborate closely with event staff, the Volunteer Coordinator (VC), FIRST staff, and PDPs to ensure a successful event. JAs may also consult with the Global Key JAs or FIRST staff on aspects related to their role responsibilities.
Role Resources:
program role details
Judge Advisor with FIRST Robotics Competition
- Participate in all required Judge Advisor training provided by FIRST and the Global Judge Advisors, including reading the Judge manual and other materials yearly
- Must communicate with their group of Judges prior to their event. This may include email or phone communication starting at least one month before and leading up to the event.
- Judge Advisors may be asked to recruit or help recruit Judges. Judge Advisors should work with their Planning Committee and Volunteer Coordinator to understand who will be doing the Judge recruiting.
- Must understand and advise judges regarding any relationships with FIRST Robotics Competition teams at the event
- Attend the daily morning meeting if directed by the Event Manager
- Excellent organizational and communication skills required
- Ensure the judging panel has completed the required training pre-event
- Lead the judge panel on-site
- Facilitate award decisions, clarify award guidelines, and ensure the overall consistency of the awards process in accordance with FIRST policy and guidelines noted in the Judge Manual
Minimum Age: 23 years old
- Exceptions may be granted by FIRST
- Exceptions may be granted by FIRST
Nomination: The Judge Advisor is submitted by the Planning Committee via the Program Delivery Partner. Once submitted, the individual must be approved through FIRST and the Global Judge Advisors. Once approved the candidate will be contacted and assigned by FIRST.
Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Pre-event Commitment:
- November – December: Review training materials and help recruit judges (approx. 5 - 10 hours)
- January – April: Review training materials, Complete JA certification, Recruit judges, Prepare materials for event (approx. 15 hours)
- During Event Commitment:
- Minimum 2 full day commitment at event
Role Training:
- Pre-event certification provided by FIRST prior to start of competition season. Judge Advisors are responsible for reviewing materials, slack messages, and email blasts throughout the season
- The following trainings are required through FIRST Training:
- Judge Advisor Certification
- Data Privacy and Protection Training
Reports to: Judge Advisors work in partnership with FIRST staff and Program Delivery Partners (PDPs) to deliver a high-quality event experience to teams. JAs collaborate closely with event staff, the Volunteer Coordinator (VC), FIRST staff, and PDPs to ensure a successful event. JAs may also consult with the Co-Global JAs or FIRST staff on aspects related to their role responsibilities.
Role Resources:
- Judge Manual
- Judge Covenants
- Award Workbook
- Technical Judging Tip Sheet
- Dean’s List Award Judging Guidelines
- FIRST Impact Award Judging Guidelines
- FIRST Impact Award Definitions
- *An invitation to join the Box.com folder will be sent via email by the Trainer/FIRST.
Championship Role Details
Judge Advisor at FIRST Championship
This role is available in the following programs at Championship with the additional requirements below:
FIRST LEGO League Challenge:
- This role is identified and assigned by the Event Manager.
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Wednesday – Saturday, full day. Pre-event participation required.
- Number of Volunteers in Role: 1-2
FIRST Tech Challenge:
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Minimum 3 full days (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) commitment
- Optional but preferred: Saturday Morning for awards presentations
- More information with times will be sent before the event.
- Reports to: Global Key Judge Advisors and FIRST Staff
FIRST Robotics Competition:
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Minimum 2 full day (Thursday and Friday) commitment
- Optional but preferred: Wednesday to help with setup and Saturday Morning for awards presentations
- More information with times will be sent before the event.
- Reports to: Global Judge Advisors and FIRST Staff
Event Volunteer Roles