Football Referee is a seasonal position. Season dates are September 3 - October 10, 2026. Games are held Thursdays 6-8PM and Saturdays 9AM-4PM. Games are typically 1 hour long and refs are paid per game. K-4 Grade Flag Football rate is $20/game and refs need not be certified. 5-6 Grade Tackle Football rate is $35/game if a certified ref, otherwise it is $20/game.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the direction of the Sports Director, the Sports Referee is responsible for officiating youth, teen or adult sporting events including, but not limited to basketball, tackle football, flag football, volleyball, etc. This position requires individuals to monitor play, make appropriate calls for age group, and ensure safety of all coaches and participants.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Assist in the preparation of fields/courts prior to games, including any set up, examination of game equipment, clear all debris, etc.
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Monitor and regulate games/matches to ensure conformance with rules and regulations of the sport, as well as any rules specific to the YMCA. Officiating games in a manner of safety, fairness, equality, and inclusion.
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Provide direct supervision of participants in a safe, enjoyable, positive, and inclusive environment that welcomes participants of all skill and activity level.
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Stop play when necessary and explain violations consistently and fairly.
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Know, demonstrate, and interpret YMCA and sport rules, regulations, and general guidelines to players, parents, and coaches.
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Submit records and scores to supervisor.
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Exhibits professionalism in interactions with members, participants, and YMCA employees.
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Greet and assist all members, potential members, volunteers, and staff in a courteous, professional, and friendly manner. Be enthusiastic towards members by learning their names and expressing an interest in their YMCA activities. Strive to enrich their YMCA experience by introducing them to new programs, staff, members, and volunteer activities.
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Respond to members' needs. Contact appropriate personnel when necessary. Handle complaints in a courteous manner. Effectively negotiate and resolve customer service problems.
- Maintain a working knowledge of the YMCA rules, policies, and emergency procedures and assist as the control center for the sports area during emergency situations.
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Shares sports program information with members, using available tools and resources (e.g., handouts, schedules).
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Maintain working knowledge of wellness and sports trends to provide effective information and support to members.
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Assist in tear down and clean-up of post-game of benches, chairs, score table and scoreboard, other equipment and cleaning up site (towels and trash on floors and bleachers).
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In the absence of a Site Supervisor, the Sports Referee will assume full responsibility of the site and be the main point of contact for the players, coaches, and parents participating in the sporting event.
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Assist other staff as needed and perform other duties as assigned.
YMCA COMPETENCIES:
Mission Advancement: Accepts and demonstrates the Y’s values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fundraising.
Collaboration: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.
Operational Effectiveness: Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.
Personal Growth: Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths, and limitations and how they impact relationships. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must be at least 15 years of age.
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Previous officiating experience or NDHSAA officiating certification preferred, but not required.
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If officiating Adult Sports, High school diploma required or equivalent combination of related education and experience.
- Certifications required within 30 days of hire: CPR/AED, and First Aid.
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Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
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Must have willingness, desire, and ability to work with children and adults and to manage large groups.
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Availability for weeknights and weekends depending upon programming.
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Travel may be required throughout Ward County.
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Must demonstrate the ability to control all aspects of the game that you are officiating.
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Working knowledge of sport rules and regulations or ability to research, retain, enforce, and apply related refereeing information.
- Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
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This individual must familiarize themselves with YMCA rules and policies within 30 days of employment. Since this position is dealing directly with members, program participants, volunteers, and staff in a position of authority, above-average verbal communication skills are required.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
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The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
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The employee is frequently required to stand, run, walk, use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk and hear.
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Sufficient strength, agility, and mobility to perform essential functions and to supervise program activities in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor locations.
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The employee must occasionally lift and/or move at least 30 pounds.
- The employee may be required to run for extended periods of time.
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May frequently be exposed wet, cold, and/or humid environments.
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Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
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Acute hearing skills are required. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate – high that may cause the worker to shout to be heard above ambient noise level.
