Youth Sports Official

Boys And Girls Clubs Of•Eatonville, FL

20h•$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 rules, protects participant safety, and maintains a fair, positive, and well-managed environment for players, coaches, and spectators. The position models sportsmanship, composure, and impartiality and supports the developmental purpose of Club athletics, where participation, skill-building, and character are prioritized 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 mentorship role is distinct from serving as the trained adult game-day supervisor, which requires additional training and designation by the Director of Sports & Athletics. The position is a part-time, seasonal role scheduled according to league needs. Work takes place at assigned Club gymnasiums, fields, and league sites across Central Florida, including the Joe R. Lee Branch in Eatonville. Games are primarily scheduled on weekday evenings and weekends, with schedules subject to change. The official reports to the Director of Sports & Athletics.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be enrolled in high school or have a high school diploma or GED.
Demonstrated working knowledge of 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.
Current concussion-recognition and emergency-response awareness training.
Complete BGCCF-assigned online policy modules, including child safety, mandated reporting, code of conduct, and electronic communication.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills, including calm and effective communication 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 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 Department of Children and Families Level 2 background screening, including fingerprint submission to FDLE and the FBI, and complete an Affidavit of Good Moral Character.
Meet ongoing drug-screening and Florida DCF employment-eligibility requirements; reference checks are required before hire.
Ability to read, understand, and apply sport rule books, safety rules, emergency procedures, and policy manuals.
Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include evenings, weekends, and holidays, and travel between assigned Club and league sites.
Ability to perform CPR or first aid if needed.
Ability to stand, walk, jog, and run for extended periods; change direction; stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, push, pull, and grasp throughout a game.
Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds occasionally and up to 20 pounds frequently.
Close visual acuity and depth perception to judge play, auditory acuity to hear whistles and safety signals, and ability to project the voice and use hand signals clearly.
Ability to remain focused, composed, and decisive in busy, noisy, and occasionally confrontational environments and make rapid independent decisions while managing multiple responsibilities.
For officials separately designated as trained adult game-day supervisors of minor youth officials, completion of the Spillett Leadership University learning journey “Ensuring Safe Work Experiences for Youth Workers – Supervisors” before taking on that assignment.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Officiate assigned games as referee, umpire, or judge, applying and enforcing the rules consistently and impartially.
Make decisive calls, stop play immediately when safety is at risk, and maintain control and composure during games.
Explain expectations and calls to coaches and players professionally and concisely; lead or facilitate the youth sports pledge and start games on time.
Enforce BGCCF program rules and policies through ongoing observation of the playing area and participants.
Promote a positive, developmentally appropriate environment that emphasizes sportsmanship and effort.
Arrive on time in the required uniform and with required equipment; inspect equipment, fields, and courts for safety before play and report hazards.
Confirm that equipment, goal and basket heights, and ball sizes are appropriate for the age division.
Complete score sheets, game reports, and incident reports accurately and submit reports the same day.
Assist with setup, teardown, equipment checks, and assigned cleaning tasks.
Stop play for suspected injuries or unsafe conditions, summon the game-day supervisor for injuries, follow concussion and weather protocols, and support heat-safety measures and water breaks.
Provide CPR or first aid when needed and within the scope of current certification.
Immediately report suspected child abuse or neglect under Florida mandated reporter requirements and BGCCF protocol.
Address coach and spectator conduct calmly within officiating authority, escalate concerns appropriately, and protect minor youth officials from adult confrontation.
When assigned, mentor minor youth officials by modeling positioning, signals, and game management; provide constructive feedback and communicate readiness observations to the Director of Sports & Athletics.
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with minor employees, including avoiding one-to-one contact, personal contact exchanges, and one-to-one transportation.
Record all hours worked, including training, preparation, post-game duties, and travel between sites during a shift, in the designated timekeeping system.
Build positive relationships with participants, coaches, and parents and represent BGCCF professionally, including on personal social media.
Complete mandatory training and attend officials’ meetings, pre-season clinics, and rules updates.
Participate in assigned events, tournaments, and league play; communicate availability and assignment decisions promptly.
Operate a motor vehicle to travel to assigned game sites.