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Event Volunteer Role
Judge Advisor Assistant
As a Judge Advisor Assistant, you’ll play a key behind-the-scenes role in keeping judging on track by helping with logistics, managing team flow, and supporting the judging panel throughout the day. This is a great opportunity for organized, dependable volunteers to ensure a smooth and successful judging experience while upholding the values of FIRST.
Volunteer as a Judge Advisor Assistant
The Judge Advisor Assistant (JAA) supports the Judge Advisor by helping ensure the judging process runs smoothly, efficiently, and on schedule at FIRST events. While this role does not involve interviewing teams or participating in award deliberations, the JAA plays an essential behind-the-scenes role in managing logistics, preparing judging spaces, and supporting the judge panel.
This vital role ensures judges have the support they need to focus on celebrating and evaluating team accomplishments in alignment with the values and goals of FIRST.
Minimum Age: 18 years old (must be post-high school or equivalent)
- Exceptions may be granted by event Volunteer Coordinators after review and approval by the local Program Delivery Partner
Experience: no FIRST or related field experience required
Training: No pre-event training required
Role Details / Responsibilities:
- Comfortable using basic computer tools and maintaining sensitive information discreetly
- Support Judge Advisor in managing event schedule and logistics
- Set up, maintain, and break down judge rooms; ensure materials and supplies are organized and available
- Provide administrative support such as typing award scripts or organizing paperwork
- Track and communicate any schedule updates or changes
- Support additional duties such as coordinating refreshments, distributing awards, or serving as a runner for judging rooms
- 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
- Must read and comply with the Volunteer Handbook
Reports to: Varies by program (see below)
Volunteer as a Judge Advisor Assistant in three distinct FIRST programs
Learn more about volunteering as a Judge Advisor Assistant in each program.
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FIRST LEGO League Challenge
Program Role DetailsJudge Advisor Assistant with FIRST LEGO League Challenge
- Manages team traffic before and after judging sessions
- Assist with team flow to and from judging sessions and help manage waiting areas
- Responsible for keeping judging sessions on schedule, keeping waiting teams quiet, assuring teams are sent to correct judging location, and helping to prepare and break-down judging rooms
- FIRST experience preferred, but not required.
Reports to: Judge Advisor
Role Training:
- Judge training helpful
Role Resources:
-
FIRST Tech Challenge
Program Role DetailsJudge Advisor Assistant with FIRST Tech Challenge
The Judge Advisor Assistant is not a judge, does not interview teams, or take part in awards recipient selection process.
- Assist judge advisor to keep judge panel on schedule and performs other duties as assigned by the judge advisor
- Provide clerical support, for example, type awards scripts on laptop.
- Organize and ensure all materials and supplies needed are available, and correctly placed on tables.
- Breakdown of judge room at end of competition, repack FIRST materials, return materials to volunteer coordinator.
Role Training:
- The Judge Advisor Assistant is provided with a checklist of responsibilities before or at the event. The Judge Advisor provides guidance during the event.
Reports to: Judge Advisor and/or Event Manager
Role Resources:
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FIRST Robotics Competition
program role detailsJudge Advisor Assistant with FIRST Robotics Competition
- Sign and comply with Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Statement if applicable
- Serve as a FIRST Impact Award/Dean’s List Award Interview Room Runner (if applicable)
- May be asked to assist with distribution of awards to teams during the Awards Ceremony
- Perform other duties as assigned by Judge Advisor
- Basic computer skills required
Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Pre-event Set-up (1/2 day)
- Minimum 2 full day commitment at event
Role Training:
- The Judge Advisor Assistant is provided with a checklist of responsibilities before or at the event. The Judge Advisor provides guidance during the event.
Reports to: Judge Advisor and/or Event Manager
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FIRST Championship
Championship Role DetailsJudge Advisor Assistant at FIRST Championship
This role is available in the following programs at Championship with the additional requirements below:
FIRST LEGO League Challenge:
- Minimum Age: 18 years old
- The Challenge Judge Advisor Assistant (JAA) assists Judge Advisors and Judges throughout the event.
- Manages team traffic before and after judging sessions
- Responsible for keeping judging sessions on schedule, keeping waiting teams quiet, assuring teams are sent to correct judging location, and helping to prepare and break-down judging rooms.
- FIRST experience preferred but not required. Judge training helpful.
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Wednesday – Saturday, full day. Pre-event participation may be requested.
- Number of Volunteers in Role: 1
- Reports to: Judge Advisor
FIRST Tech Challenge:
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Wednesday morning – Room Setup
- All day Thursday and Friday
- More information with times will be sent before the event.
- Reports to: Global Key Judge Advisors
FIRST Robotics Competition:
- Additional duties at Championship could include helping with the FIRST Impact Award rooms, tracking down judges to keep on schedule, unpacking and packing the road cases, and other tasks to be defined during the event.
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Wednesday Afternoon – Room Setup
- All day Thursday and Friday
- More information with times will be sent before the event.
- Reports to: Global Judge Advisors
Program Role Details
Judge Advisor Assistant with FIRST LEGO League Challenge
- Manages team traffic before and after judging sessions
- Assist with team flow to and from judging sessions and help manage waiting areas
- Responsible for keeping judging sessions on schedule, keeping waiting teams quiet, assuring teams are sent to correct judging location, and helping to prepare and break-down judging rooms
- FIRST experience preferred, but not required.
Reports to: Judge Advisor
Role Training:
- Judge training helpful
Role Resources:
Program Role Details
Judge Advisor Assistant with FIRST Tech Challenge
The Judge Advisor Assistant is not a judge, does not interview teams, or take part in awards recipient selection process.
- Assist judge advisor to keep judge panel on schedule and performs other duties as assigned by the judge advisor
- Provide clerical support, for example, type awards scripts on laptop.
- Organize and ensure all materials and supplies needed are available, and correctly placed on tables.
- Breakdown of judge room at end of competition, repack FIRST materials, return materials to volunteer coordinator.
Role Training:
- The Judge Advisor Assistant is provided with a checklist of responsibilities before or at the event. The Judge Advisor provides guidance during the event.
Reports to: Judge Advisor and/or Event Manager
Role Resources:
program role details
Judge Advisor Assistant with FIRST Robotics Competition
- Sign and comply with Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Statement if applicable
- Serve as a FIRST Impact Award/Dean’s List Award Interview Room Runner (if applicable)
- May be asked to assist with distribution of awards to teams during the Awards Ceremony
- Perform other duties as assigned by Judge Advisor
- Basic computer skills required
Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Pre-event Set-up (1/2 day)
- Minimum 2 full day commitment at event
Role Training:
- The Judge Advisor Assistant is provided with a checklist of responsibilities before or at the event. The Judge Advisor provides guidance during the event.
Reports to: Judge Advisor and/or Event Manager
Championship Role Details
Judge Advisor Assistant at FIRST Championship
This role is available in the following programs at Championship with the additional requirements below:
FIRST LEGO League Challenge:
- Minimum Age: 18 years old
- The Challenge Judge Advisor Assistant (JAA) assists Judge Advisors and Judges throughout the event.
- Manages team traffic before and after judging sessions
- Responsible for keeping judging sessions on schedule, keeping waiting teams quiet, assuring teams are sent to correct judging location, and helping to prepare and break-down judging rooms.
- FIRST experience preferred but not required. Judge training helpful.
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Wednesday – Saturday, full day. Pre-event participation may be requested.
- Number of Volunteers in Role: 1
- Reports to: Judge Advisor
FIRST Tech Challenge:
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Wednesday morning – Room Setup
- All day Thursday and Friday
- More information with times will be sent before the event.
- Reports to: Global Key Judge Advisors
FIRST Robotics Competition:
- Additional duties at Championship could include helping with the FIRST Impact Award rooms, tracking down judges to keep on schedule, unpacking and packing the road cases, and other tasks to be defined during the event.
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Wednesday Afternoon – Room Setup
- All day Thursday and Friday
- More information with times will be sent before the event.
- Reports to: Global Judge Advisors
Event Volunteer Roles