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Event Volunteer Role
Judge
As a Judge, you'll play a key role in recognizing and celebrating team achievements by engaging directly with students through interviews and observations, offering encouragement and constructive feedback along the way. This rewarding role is perfect for anyone who enjoys working with youth and want to help inspire the next generation of STEM leaders—all while upholding fairness, equity, and the FIRST Core Values.
Volunteer as a Judge
Judges play a central role in celebrating and recognizing team accomplishments by interviewing and observing teams, evaluating them against official award criteria, and participating in collaborative deliberations to determine award recipients. Working in panels, Judges serve as role models and mentors, providing constructive feedback while upholding the values of fairness, equity, and the FIRST Core Values. Judges engage with teams in a variety of settings—judging rooms, pits, and fields—and help write award scripts and assist with award presentations. This role is ideal for anyone who enjoys working with youth, value teamwork, and bring strong communication, critical thinking, and assessment skills.
Judging is a meaningful way to directly engage with teams, celebrate their efforts, and inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.
Minimum Age: varies by program (see below)
Experience: No FIRST or related field experience required
- Relevant professional or technical experience is helpful
Training: Some pre-event training required
Role Details / Responsibilities:
- Interview and observe teams in judging rooms, pits, and/or on the field
- Evaluate teams using program-specific guidelines and award criteria
- Participate in award deliberations and selection
- Write award scripts and assist with ceremonies
- Serve as a role model and provide encouragement
- Maintain confidentiality and follow FIRST standards for bias-free judging
- 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: Judge Advisor
Want to prepare to be a Judge? Judge Advisor Assistant is a great introductory role to start volunteering.
Currently a Judge and looking for a challenge? Judge Advisor might be a great role for you!
Volunteer as a Judge in three distinct FIRST programs
Learn more about volunteering as a Judge in each program.
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FIRST LEGO League Challenge
Program Role DetailsJudge with FIRST LEGO League Challenge
- Interview and observe teams together with other judges in the same judging group, also known as the judging pod, using the FIRST LEGO League Challenge event rubrics.
- Serve as a mentor and role model for the team members, motivating them with useful feedback
- Participates in deliberation process and as needed, in writing short awards scripts extolling merits of winning teams.
- Assists with closing ceremony in recognition of and award presentations to the teams.
Minimum Age: 15 years old (18 preferred)
Role Training:
- Requires completion of the training module in FIRST Training (accessible via your FIRST dashboard).
- FIRST Data Protection training required.
Role Resources:
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FIRST Tech Challenge
Program Role DetailsJudge with FIRST Tech Challenge
- Interview and watch teams in the judging rooms, the pit, and on the playing field.
- Take part on judge panel to decide team award recipients.
- Learn and understand award criteria and selection process
- Wear any provided judge shirt as well as closed toed shoes and safety glasses
- Interview, take notes and observe teams in the Pit, on the playing field, and other areas
- Review information given by teams while at the event
- Ability to balance the nature of the position as one of ensuring fair judging, while acting as a mentor and role model to students participating in the FIRST Tech Challenge required
Minimum Age: 18 years old (must be post-high school or equivalent) (21+ years old preferred)
- Exceptions may be granted by event Volunteer Coordinators after review and approval by the local Program Delivery Partner
Role Training: Training available on FIRST Training accessible from your FIRST dashboard.
Role Resources:
- FTC Volunteer Resources
- Judge Process Manual (coming soon)
-
FIRST Robotics Competition
program role detailsJudge with FIRST Robotics Competition
- There are separate volunteer roles within the system called “Judge – FIRST Impact Award” and “Judge – Dean’s List Award”. These volunteers focus on those specific awards but much of this role description still applies to those roles.
- Learn and understand award criteria and selection process
- Read the Judge Manual
- Wear provided judge shirt, closed toed shoes, and safety glasses
- Interview, take notes and observe teams in the Pit, on the playing field, and other areas
- Review information given by teams while at the event
- Participate on judge panel to help decide team/student awards recipients
- Ability to balance the nature of the position as one of ensuring fair judging, while acting as a mentor and role model to students participating in the FIRST Robotics Competition required
Minimum Age: 18 years old (must be post-high school or equivalent) (21+ years old preferred)
- Exceptions may be granted by event Volunteer Coordinators after review and approval by the local Program Delivery Partner
- Must pass Judge Training a minimum of one week prior to the event
- May include some pre-event online reading (required for FIRST Impact Award & Dean’s List Judges)
- Minimum 2 full day commitment at event
Role Training:
The following trainings are required through FIRST Training:
- General Judge Training (required for all judges)
- FIRST Impact Award Judge Training (required for FIRST Impact Award judges)
- Dean’s List Award Judge Training (required for Dean’s List Award judges)
- Data Privacy and Protection Training (required for Dean’s List Award judges)
Role Resources:
-
FIRST Championship
Championship Role DetailsJudge 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
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Wednesday – Saturday, 8:30 AM – 4 PM. Wednesday Training. Must be available for both Thursday and Friday.
- Virtual pre-event participation may be requested
- Number of Volunteers in Role: 40
FIRST Tech Challenge:
- Preference is given to Judges who have completed the FIRST Tech Challenge Judge role in the past.
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Minimum 3 full day (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) commitment
- Optional – Saturday Morning for awards presentations
- More information with times will be sent before the event.
- Reports to: Global Judge Advisors and Judge Advisors for each field
FIRST Robotics Competition:
- Preference is given to Judges who have completed the FIRST Robotics Competition Judge role in the past.
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Minimum 2 full day (Thursday and Friday) commitment
- Optional – Saturday Morning for awards presentations
- More information with times will be sent before the event.
- Reports to: Global Judge Advisors and Judge Advisors for each field
Program Role Details
Judge with FIRST LEGO League Challenge
- Interview and observe teams together with other judges in the same judging group, also known as the judging pod, using the FIRST LEGO League Challenge event rubrics.
- Serve as a mentor and role model for the team members, motivating them with useful feedback
- Participates in deliberation process and as needed, in writing short awards scripts extolling merits of winning teams.
- Assists with closing ceremony in recognition of and award presentations to the teams.
Minimum Age: 15 years old (18 preferred)
Role Training:
- Requires completion of the training module in FIRST Training (accessible via your FIRST dashboard).
- FIRST Data Protection training required.
Role Resources:
Program Role Details
Judge with FIRST Tech Challenge
- Interview and watch teams in the judging rooms, the pit, and on the playing field.
- Take part on judge panel to decide team award recipients.
- Learn and understand award criteria and selection process
- Wear any provided judge shirt as well as closed toed shoes and safety glasses
- Interview, take notes and observe teams in the Pit, on the playing field, and other areas
- Review information given by teams while at the event
- Ability to balance the nature of the position as one of ensuring fair judging, while acting as a mentor and role model to students participating in the FIRST Tech Challenge required
Minimum Age: 18 years old (must be post-high school or equivalent) (21+ years old preferred)
- Exceptions may be granted by event Volunteer Coordinators after review and approval by the local Program Delivery Partner
Role Training: Training available on FIRST Training accessible from your FIRST dashboard.
Role Resources:
- FTC Volunteer Resources
- Judge Process Manual (coming soon)
program role details
Judge with FIRST Robotics Competition
- There are separate volunteer roles within the system called “Judge – FIRST Impact Award” and “Judge – Dean’s List Award”. These volunteers focus on those specific awards but much of this role description still applies to those roles.
- Learn and understand award criteria and selection process
- Read the Judge Manual
- Wear provided judge shirt, closed toed shoes, and safety glasses
- Interview, take notes and observe teams in the Pit, on the playing field, and other areas
- Review information given by teams while at the event
- Participate on judge panel to help decide team/student awards recipients
- Ability to balance the nature of the position as one of ensuring fair judging, while acting as a mentor and role model to students participating in the FIRST Robotics Competition required
Minimum Age: 18 years old (must be post-high school or equivalent) (21+ years old preferred)
- Exceptions may be granted by event Volunteer Coordinators after review and approval by the local Program Delivery Partner
- Must pass Judge Training a minimum of one week prior to the event
- May include some pre-event online reading (required for FIRST Impact Award & Dean’s List Judges)
- Minimum 2 full day commitment at event
Role Training:
The following trainings are required through FIRST Training:- General Judge Training (required for all judges)
- FIRST Impact Award Judge Training (required for FIRST Impact Award judges)
- Dean’s List Award Judge Training (required for Dean’s List Award judges)
- Data Privacy and Protection Training (required for Dean’s List Award judges)
Role Resources:
Championship Role Details
Judge 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
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Wednesday – Saturday, 8:30 AM – 4 PM. Wednesday Training. Must be available for both Thursday and Friday.
- Virtual pre-event participation may be requested
- Number of Volunteers in Role: 40
FIRST Tech Challenge:
- Preference is given to Judges who have completed the FIRST Tech Challenge Judge role in the past.
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Minimum 3 full day (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) commitment
- Optional – Saturday Morning for awards presentations
- More information with times will be sent before the event.
- Reports to: Global Judge Advisors and Judge Advisors for each field
FIRST Robotics Competition:
- Preference is given to Judges who have completed the FIRST Robotics Competition Judge role in the past.
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Minimum 2 full day (Thursday and Friday) commitment
- Optional – Saturday Morning for awards presentations
- More information with times will be sent before the event.
- Reports to: Global Judge Advisors and Judge Advisors for each field
Event Volunteer Roles