Youth Sports Official

Boys And Girls Clubs Of•Orlando, FL

17h•$25 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

The Youth Sports Official (Referee) officiates Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida youth sports practices and games, including basketball, soccer, flag football, and volleyball. The official applies and enforces the rules of play, protects participant safety, and maintains a fair, positive, and well-managed game environment for players, coaches, and spectators. The role models sportsmanship, composure, and impartiality; communicates respectfully; and supports the developmental purpose of Club athletics, emphasizing participation, skill-building, and character over competitive outcomes. Officials age 18 and over may be assigned to mentor minor youth officials ages 16–17 by modeling game mechanics and providing on-site support during their ramp-up period. This mentoring assignment is separate from serving as the trained adult game-day supervisor, which requires additional training and designation. The position is part-time and seasonal or ongoing according to league schedules. Work takes place at assigned Club gymnasiums, fields, and league sites across Central Florida, primarily on weekday evenings and weekends, with flexible scheduling and travel between sites as needed. The role reports to the Director of Sports & Athletics.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be enrolled in high school or hold a high school diploma or GED.
Demonstrated working knowledge of the rules of play and game-management fundamentals for at least one assigned sport.
Prior experience officiating, coaching, playing at an organized level, or working with youth in a sports, recreation, or educational setting.
Experience communicating with coaches, parents, and participants in a live, high-energy environment.
Complete BGCCF or league sport-specific officiating certification or rules training for each assigned sport before the first assigned game.
Obtain CPR/AED and First Aid certification within 60 days of hire and maintain certification thereafter.
Maintain current concussion-recognition and emergency-response awareness training.
Complete all BGCCF-assigned online policy modules, including child safety, mandated reporting, code of conduct, and electronic communication.
Officials designated as trained adult game-day supervisors for minor youth officials must complete the Spillett Leadership University learning journey “Ensuring Safe Work Experiences for Youth Workers – Supervisors” before assuming that assignment.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to communicate calmly and effectively with participants, coaches, and parents.
Knowledge of youth developmental stages and ability to apply age-appropriate expectations to game management and rules enforcement.
Sound, decisive judgment under pressure and the ability to remain impartial and composed when challenged.
Ability to serve as a consistent, positive role model for young people.
Basic recordkeeping accuracy for score sheets, game reports, and timekeeping entries.
Successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening and Florida DCF Level 2 background screening, including fingerprint submission to FDLE and the FBI, and complete an Affidavit of Good Moral Character.
Meet ongoing drug-screening requirements and maintain DCF employment eligibility.
Provide references before hire; required for positions involving direct, repetitive interaction with youth.
Operate a motor vehicle to travel to assigned game sites.
Be able to read, understand, and apply sport rule books, safety rules, emergency procedures, and policy manuals.
Be able to stand, walk, jog, and run for extended periods; change direction; stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, push, pull, and grasp throughout a game.
Be able to lift and move up to 50 pounds occasionally and up to 20 pounds frequently.
Have visual acuity and depth perception sufficient to judge play, and auditory acuity sufficient to hear whistles, communication, and safety signals, with or without correction.
Be able to project the voice and use hand signals clearly across a playing area.
Remain focused, composed, and decisive in a busy, noisy, and occasionally confrontational environment; make rapid independent judgments and manage multiple game responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

Certification through a recognized officiating association such as FHSAA, USSF, USA Volleyball, NFHS, or a comparable association.
Ability to officiate more than one sport.
Experience mentoring, training, or evaluating newer officials.

Responsibilities

Officiate assigned games as referee, umpire, or judge, consistently and impartially applying the rules for assigned sports and age divisions.
Make decisive calls, stop play immediately for safety, and maintain control and composure during games.
Explain pre-game officiating expectations and communicate calls to coaches and players briefly and professionally.
Lead or facilitate the youth sports pledge and start games on time.
Enforce BGCCF program rules and policies while monitoring the playing area and participants.
Promote a positive, developmentally appropriate environment that reinforces sportsmanship and effort.
Arrive on time in the assigned uniform with required equipment; inspect equipment, fields, and courts for safety and report unsafe conditions.
Confirm appropriate goal and basket heights and the proper ball size and type for each age division.
Complete score sheets, game reports, and incident reports accurately and submit required reports the same day.
Assist with setup, teardown, daily equipment checks, and assigned cleaning tasks.
Protect participant safety; summon the game-day supervisor for injuries; follow concussion and weather protocols; support heat-safety measures; and provide CPR or first aid when needed and within current certification scope.
Report suspected child abuse or neglect immediately according to Florida mandated reporter requirements and BGCCF procedures.
Address coach and spectator conduct professionally, apply BGCCF’s zero-tolerance standard for abuse or intimidation, and escalate concerns to the supervisor or Director of Sports & Athletics.
Protect minor youth officials from adult confrontation and immediately involve the game-day supervisor when needed.
When assigned, mentor minor youth officials by modeling officiating mechanics, providing developmentally appropriate feedback, and reporting readiness observations.
Maintain professional boundaries with minor employees, including no one-to-one contact, personal contact exchanges, or one-to-one transportation.
Accurately record all hours worked, including training, preparation, post-game duties, and travel between game sites during a shift.
Build positive relationships with participants, coaches, and parents and model welcoming, connecting, motivating, and affirming behaviors.
Complete mandatory training and participate in officials’ meetings, pre-season clinics, and rules updates.
Participate in special events, tournaments, and league play as assigned.
Communicate availability and respond promptly to assignments; provide notice when unable to fulfill an assignment.
Represent BGCCF professionally on personal social media and do not post content about Club games, participants, calls, or incidents.