Event Volunteering Information

Volunteer Roles:

Judge

Referee

Queuing

Robot Inspection

Field Inspector

FIRST Technical Advisor

Field Reset

Field Monitor

Setup Crew

Teardown Crew

Scorekeeper

Check-In

Volunteer job descriptions:

Judges: Only for the league tournament on 12/10.  The primary role of a Judge is to interview teams, and to decide which teams deserve an award based on team interviews, the robot, match play, and the engineering portfolio. Judges are paired in groups of 2 - 3 to interview a set number of teams before the
competition begins as well as interviews in the pit area.

• Interview and watch teams in the judging rooms, the pit, and on the playing field.

• Take part on the judge panel to decide team award recipients.

• Moderate preparation is required for this role.

Field Inspector: The field inspection is in place to ensure that every robot can successfully connect and compete in a match. The Field Inspector must also go through the field inspection checklist which includes verifying settings on the team’s Android device and to remind the teams to stay on time for each match. Moderate preparation is required for this role.

Referee: Referees have two main role distinctions; watching matches to call penalties and tracking the status of the match. Referees report to the Head Referee. Play a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play and keeping the pace of the event. 

• Penalties

  • Watches team matches, identifies rule violations, and "calls" them.

  • Helps the competitors to avoid breaking the rules of the game.

  • Take part in deliberations about contested calls, working directly through the Head Referee.

  • Significant preparation is required for this role.

• Scoring Referees watch the status of the game and scoring elements during match play. There will be one Referee assigned to the blue alliance side of the field, and the other to the red alliance side of the field. They may track the status of the field on paper or using scoresheets. The Referee will use an application installed on either a tablet to track the status of the field.

• • 1. • • Watch matches, helps teams to avoid rule violations

         • "Call" rule violations when necessary; decide penalties.

         • Communicates penalties and rule violations to the penalty Referee throughout the match.

         • Take part in deliberations about contested calls.

         • Watch and promote safe practices on and around the playing field.

         • Moderate preparation is required for this role.

Queuer: Responsible for managing team traffic to and from the playing field. Stage and position teams in preparation for the start of matches. Play a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play and keeping the pace of the event.

• Escorts teams from the pit to the queuing area.

• Stage and position teams for matches.

• Restrict access to the field for unauthorized individuals.

• Maintain an uninterrupted flow of teams to the playing field.

• Direct teams to fields, and from the field.

• Very Little/No preparation is required for this role.

Robot Inspector: Robot Inspectors are responsible to ensure every robot follows the guidelines outlined in FIRST Tech Challenge Competition Manual and are ready to compete on the field. The inspection process involves filling out a checklist for every robot and placing a label or other unique tag on the robot after it passes inspection.

• Go through the inspection sheet with the team.

• Assess the team’s robot and identify anything that is not in compliance with the rules.

• Identify potential areas of entanglement (loose cables).

• Help the team to be successful.

• Be fair and apply the same thoroughness to every team.

• Moderate preparation is required for this role.

Scorekeeper: Manage and operate the scoring system. Play a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play and keeping the pace of the event.

• Set up the scoring system; ensure equipment works properly

• Manage scoring system displays, post-match scores to audience and teams.

• Help with breakdown of the scoring system.

• Moderate preparation is required for this role

FIRST Technical Advisor: The FIRST Technical Advisor (FTA) and field supervisor work together to keep the areas in and around the robot playing fields running smoothly. The FTA concentrates on the technical issues (robots, scoring software, etc.) and the Field Supervisor is responsible for operational activities (team queuing, playing field reset, etc.) Significant preparation/knowledge is required for this role.

Field Reset: Reset the playing field after each match. Plays a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play and maintaining pace of the event.

• Reset field after each match.

• Check the field for debris after the match, remove.

• Check the field for damage; report damage to the Referee.

• Very Little/No preparation is required for this role.

Field Monitor: Take part in field set-up and maintenance, directing activity on the field to ensure smooth execution of the matches. Plays a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play and keeping the pace of the event.

• Field setup in collaboration with the technical advisor and tournament director.

• Direct field resetters.

• Helps direct Queuer volunteers to ensure teams are arriving to the field on time

• Help keep matches running on time.

• Collaborate with the emcee and Tournament Director to watch and adjust game pace, as needed.

• Watch and record team interactions, team behavior, and behavior that is questionable.

• Little preparation is required for this role.

Setup Crew: These volunteers are responsible for setting up the event before the competition. Very Little/No preparation is required for this role.

Teardown Crew: These volunteers are responsible for tearing down the event after the competition. Very Little/No preparation is required for this role.

Team Registration/Check-in: Team Registration volunteers are responsible for checking teams in at the start of the event, ensuring they have presented a complete team roster, and providing the teams with their event day registration materials