How to Become a Volunteer
To register and read the official FIRST steps to volunteering at an event, click here.
To read the detailed FIRST Volunteer Registration User Guide, click here.
To watch a short video on how to apply as a volunteer, click here.
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Volunteer Positions
The specific type of help we need for leagues is listed below. The commitment is four hours on four weekends (either Saturday or Sunday) between early November through the end of January. The locations are Orange County, Riverside/Inland Empire, Inglewood, Monrovia, Santa Clarita, Claremont and Los Angeles. Select one of the events and pick a position you would like to support.
Below are the descriptions for the volunteer positions:
| JOB TITLE | JOB DESCRIPTION | TIME COMMITMENT – League Meet (appx 4 hrs, AM or PM) | TIME COMMITMENT – Tournament (appx 7am-5pm) | ||
| Set Up | Set up field perimeter, mat game elements, inspection tables, pit area tables, electronics for scorekeeping, queuing area, and audio. For Tournaments, includes moving totes and equipment from a POD. Ability to lift medium weight totes. No training needed. Layout map provided for Tournaments. League Event layouts are directed by Host. | 1 hour, appx – Standing, bending, lifting. (Need 3-5 people) | 2-3 hours, appx – Standing, bending, lifting. (Need 10-15 people) | ||
| Registration Check-In | Check teams off the roster provided by the Host as they arrive for the day’s event. Collect permission slips, check for safety glasses, call any teams who are late to see if they are still coming. Notify the scorekeeper and Host of any no-shows. Provide collected forms to the Host. General organization skills are helpful. No training needed. | 1 hour, appx – Sitting position, behind the Registration Table. (Need 1-2 people) | 2 hours, appx – Sitting position, behind the Registration Table. (Need 3-4 people) | ||
| Volunteer Check-In | Check off volunteers from the roster provided by the Host as they arrive for the day’s event. Point the volunteers to the direction of their assignments. Collect release forms for Walk-On volunteers. General organization skills are helpful. No training needed. | 1 hour, appx – Sitting position, behind the Volunteer Check-In Table. (Need 1 person) | 4 hours, appx – Sitting position, behind the Volunteer Check-In Table. (Need 1-2 people) | ||
| Robot Inspector | Conduct hardware checks of the robots to verify that they conform to the rules, specifications, and requirements of the competition. Knowledge of basic wiring skills is helpful. Read the training document and complete the training quiz. | 1 hour, appx – Mainly a standing position in the pit area. (Need 1-2 people) | 2 hours, appx – Mainly a standing position in the pit area. (Need 3-4 people) | ||
| Field Inspector | Conduct software checks of the robots to verify the phone software connects to the robot and conforms to the rules of the competition. Software background and understanding of the programming software is helpful. Read the training document and complete training quiz. | 1 hour, appx – Mainly a standing position in the pit area. (Need 1-2 people) | 2 hours, appx – Mainly a standing position in the pit area. (Need 3-4 people) | ||
| Querer | Pulls teams from pit area to the queuing table as the “next in line to play.” Critical role to assure event stays on time. Assertiveness and time management skills are helpful. No training needed. | 3 hours, appx – Mainly a standing position on the competition field. (Need 2-3 people) | 5 hours, appx – Mainly a standing position on the competition field. (Need 4-5 people) | ||
| Field Reset | After each match and once scores are counted, reset field elements to original positions. Field diagram is provided. Reset every 5-10 minutes. General organization skills are helpful. No training needed. | 3 hours, appx – Mainly a sitting position on the competition field, only stand when resetting elements. (Need 1-2 people) | 5 hours, appx – Mainly a sitting position on the competition field, only stand when resetting elements. (Need 4 people) | ||
| Scorekeeper | Manage and operate the scoring and field control systems via preloaded software on a laptop. Communicate scores. Play an important role with Head Referee and Event Organizer in ensuring smooth flow of match play and maintaining the pace of the event. Knowledge of basic computer skills are helpful. Read the training document and complete the training quiz. | 3 hours, appx – Sitting position, behind the Scorekeeping Table. (Need 1 person) | 6 hours, appx – Sitting position, behind the Scorekeeping Table. (Need 2-3 people) | ||
| Referee | Observe team matches, identify rule violations, and “call” them. Calculate the official score of the matches and participate in deliberations regarding contested calls. Work under the direction of the Head Referee. Play a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play and maintaining the pace of the event. Knowledge of the game rules and review of the game forum for latest rules changes is needed. Read the training document and complete the training quiz. Age Requirement: 18 years old | 3 hours, appx – Mainly a standing position on the competition field. (Need 4 people) | 6-8 hours, appx – Mainly a standing position on the competition field. (Need 8 people) | ||
| Head Referee | Run the match play. Assure referees are ready each match and start each match. Final say for deliberations regarding contested calls. Play a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play and maintaining the pace of the event. Previous experience as a Referee required. Time management, ability to make a decision and give feedback in a developmental / student friendly way. Knowledge of the game rules and review of the game forum for latest rules changes needed. Read the training document and complete the training quiz. Age Requirement: 21 years old | 3 hours, appx – Mainly a standing position on the competition field. (Need 1 person) | 6-8 hours, appx – Mainly a standing position on the competition field. (Need 1-2 people) | ||
| Field Manager | Ensure the event stays on time. Participate in field set-up and maintenance during the day. Direct activity on the field to ensure smooth execution of the matches. Look ahead on the agenda throughout the day to assure the next activity is ready. For tournaments, manage pace for match play, alliance selection, and playoffs. Play a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play and maintaining the pace of the event with Head Referee and Event Manager. Previous experience in any other field position is recommended. Organizational skills, time management, ability to keep to the schedule. Read the training document and follow the call sheet for the day, but no quiz is required. | 3 hours, appx – Mainly a standing position on the competition field. (Need 1 person) | 6-8 hours, appx – Mainly a standing position on the competition field. (Need 1 person) | ||
| Field Tech Advisor (FTA) | Debugs technical / electrical issues with the competition area or with robot software during the event. Oversee all technical aspects of the tournament area. Software background, understanding of the programming software is needed. Read the training document and complete the training quiz. | 3 hours, appx – Mainly a standing position on the competition field. (Need 1 person) | 6-8 hours, appx – Mainly a standing position on the competition field. (Need 1-2 people) | ||
| Pit Manager | The pit consists of a table for each team to stage before each match and repair the robot. The Pit Manager announces the inspection and match play times to teams and – with the help of pit runners – assures teams make the time assigned. Assures safety in the area. Organizational skills, time management, and ability to keep to the schedule is needed. Read the training document, but no quiz is required. | Not Part of League Play | 6 hours, appx – Standing and sitting position in the pit area. (Need 1-2 people) | ||
| Pit Runner | Escorts teams from the pit area to the inspection tables or to the queuing area based on the Match play schedule. Organizational skills, time management, and ability to keep to the schedule is needed. No training required | Not Part of League Play | 4-5 hours, appx – Standing and sitting position in the pit area. (Need 3-4 people) | ||
| Judge | Select team award recipients through interaction with teams. Documentation regarding team background information is provided to familiarize judges with teams. Ability to give positive feedback to students. Organizational skills, time management, and ability to keep to the schedule is needed. Also need strong collaboration skills to reach decisions with other judges in a minimal amount of time. Read the training document and complete the training quiz. Age Requirement: 21 years old | Not Part of League Play | 8 hours, appx – Mainly a sitting position in the judging room, but also standing in the pits and on the competition field. (Need 10-15 people) | ||
| Control Award Judge (REMOTE) | Review a team’s submitted pre-programmed autonomous mode and the video showing performance to that programming to determine the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards. Read the training document and complete the training quiz. Must understand the requirements of the Control Award. | 2-3 hrs, appx – Performed at home, includes Zoom time with other judges to deliberate on rankings of award winners. (Need 2-4 people) | |||
| Judge Advisor | Facilitate a group of 10-15 judges to select the team winners and runners-up for all awards. Ability to give positive feedback to students. Experience as a Judge is required. Organizational skills, time management, and ability to keep to the schedule is needed. Strong Facilitation skills to dive decisions in minimal time is needed. Read the training document and complete the training quiz. | Not Part of League Play | 8 hours, appx – Mainly a sitting position in the judging room, but also standing in the pits and on the competition field. (Need 1 person) | ||
| Judge Assistant | Stage 5-6 teams at the judging room 5 minutes prior to interviews, and in 15-minute increments until all interviews are complete. Ability to round teams from the pits to the judging rooms on time. Time management and ability to keep to the schedule is needed. No training required. | Not Part of League Play | 2.5 hours, appx – Mainly a standing position on the competition field. (Need 3-4 people) | ||
| Emcee | Primary individual responsible for setting the tone of the competition. Create and sustain an exciting and fun atmosphere throughout the event. Most visible presence at the event; embodies the spirit of FIRST and is the consummate FIRST ambassador. Play a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play and maintaining the pace of the event. Energetic, ability to be on stage in front of many people, engaging, ability to project voice in a gym, time management skills, and ability to keep to the schedule is needed. Scripts are provided for each section of the event. | Not Part of League Play | 8 hours, appx – Mainly a standing position on the competition field. (Need 1-2 people) | ||
| Game Announcer | Works together with the Emcee. Provides play by play announcing for each of the matches. Keeps the audience engaged. Energetic, engaging, and ability to describe the play-by-play of each match is needed. No training required. | Not Part of League Play | 8 hours, appx – Mainly a standing position on the competition field. (Need 1-2 people) | ||
| DJ | Responsible for managing music and general sounds of tournament areas. Watch Emcee and Event Manager to know when to take the sound up and down. No training required. | Not Part of League Play | 8 hours, appx – Mainly a sitting position on the competition field. (1 person) | ||
| Hospitality | Staff the break room for the volunteers, making sure the breakfast and lunches are set up. Make sure coffee is ready first thing. Keep the area tidy. May include meeting delivery trucks at the event parking lot to pick up food. No training required. | Not Part of League Play | 8 hours, appx – Mainly a sitting position on the competition field. (1 person) | ||
| Break down | Dissemble field perimeter/ mat game elements and store in proper bags. Take down inspection tables, pit area tables. Store electronics in totes. For Tournaments, includes moving totes and equipment back to the POD. Ability to lift medium weight totes. No training needed. Equipment Manager will give directions on how to load the POD safely | 1 hour, appx – Standing, bending, lifting. (Need 3-5 people) | 2-3 hours, appx – Standing, bending, lifting. (Need 10-15 people) | ||
| Dean’s List Award Interviewer (REMOTE) | Dean’s Award determines the student who best embodies the ideals of FIRST. As a Dean’s List Interviewer, you review a written evaluation of a student, conduct a 5-minute interview of each student and provide your online assessment. Ability to ask questions in a short period of time to assess a person’s skills. Set a friendly stage. Read the training document, complete the training quiz. Need laptop or phone with a camera. | Not Part of League Play | 1.5 hours, appx – Sitting for 6 interviews, but can do more than 1 session. (8 people) |