REFEREE

City of Poulsbo; Poulsbo (WA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Poulsbo is seeking referees to officiate youth sports, ensuring safety, fairness, and fun. Position requires weekend and evening availability and upholds high standards of professionalism on and off the court or field.

As part of the Parks & Recreation Department, you will manage game situations, enforce rules, and work with fellow officials and scorekeepers to ensure smooth operations and accurate reporting.

Qualifications

• Must understand sport rules and apply them impartially.
• Ability to communicate calls clearly to players/coaches/scorekeepers.
• Ability to stay composed and manage high-pressure situations.
• Strong attention to safety and fair play across games.

Responsibilities

• Officiate games according to established rules and regulations.
• Enforce sport rules; make quick, fair decisions and maintain safety.
• Conduct pre-game equipment and safety checks; review ground rules with coaches.
• Communicate calls using signals and explanations; manage game flow and substitutions.
• Submit game reports if disciplinary action is required; de-escalate conflicts.
• Collaborate with officials and scorekeepers for accurate game administration.
• Uphold professional standards including punctuality, dress code, and ethics.

Skills

Rule knowledge

Decision making

Communication

Conflict resolution

Staying composed under pressure

Safety awareness

Officiating mechanics

Education

CPR/AED First Aid training

Tools

Scorekeeping

Job description

A City of Poulsbo referee ensures youth sports are safe, fair, and fun by enforcing rules, maintaining professionalism, and managing game situations. Key duties include managing, officiating, and monitoring player/coach conduct. Positions require weekend and evening availability.

Applications are reviewed periodically as needs arise within the Parks & Recreation Department.

Job Duties:

• Officiate games in accordance with established rules and regulations.
• Enforces the specific sport's rules and regulations, makes quick, fair decisions, and maintains safety on the field/court.
• Conduct pre-game inspection of equipment, playing areas, and player readiness or other safety hazards.
• Interacts positively with participants, coaches, and parents; reviews ground rules with coaches before games.
• Communicate calls clearly using standardized signals and verbal explanations.
• Manage game flow, including starting/stopping play, administering free throws/penalties and handling substitutions.
• Ensures teams maintain time and score; submits game reports if disciplinary action is required.
• Address and de-escalate conflicts involving players, coaches, or spectators.
• Collaborate with fellow officials and scorekeepers to ensure accurate game administration.
• Uphold professional standards, including punctuality, dress code, and ethical conduct.
• Stay current on rule updates and officiating mechanics through ongoing training.
• Maintains professionalism and high levels of impartiality and sportsmanship, representing the City well.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Knowledge of rules regulations of the sport is fundamental and enforce the rules accurately.
• Knowledge of safety regulations to protect players and ensure a safe playing environment.
• Knowledge of game mechanics such as positioning, signaling, and court/field coverage responsibilities.
• Knowledge and awareness of injury risks and safe play enforcement.
• Knowledge of game flow and timing (shot clock, game clock, substitutions, stoppages, etc.)
• Knowledge and ability to enforce sportsmanship, fair play principles, and code of conduct.
• Ability to communicate and explain calls to players, coaches, and scorekeepers.
• Ability to observe and track players and off-ball actions.
• Ability to handle stress and remain composed under pressure, often facing criticism and high-stakes situations during games.
• Ability to be assertive to prevent manipulation by players and coaches to maintain authority of the games.
• Ability to ensure fair play and contribute positively to the sporting experience for all participants.
• Ability to apply rules without bias.
• Ability to adapt to different levels of play, styles, and game intensity.
• Ability to anticipate plays and position yourself effectively.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:

• Must be able to physically keep up with the pace of the game which includes continuous running up and down the court or field for extended periods (often 1-2+ hours with minimal rest breaks).
• This position involves running, agility, and endurance, as the incumbent will need to cover as much ground as the players.
• Ability to accelerate, stop, pivot, and change direction quickly to keep proper positioning.
• Strong near and distance vision to track ball movement, player contact, and boundary lines.
• Detect whistles, player contact/language, and communication from partners or scorekeepers.
• Maintain stability while moving and signaling simultaneously.
• Ability to withstand frequent games and sometimes on consecutive days.
• Working conditions include gyms, courts, fields which may vary in temperature, lighting, and ventilation with elevated noise due to crowds, music, or players.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be at least 16 years old; and
• Knowledge and competent understanding of the sport's rules and game play; and
• Strong communication skills, decision-making, and conflict-resolution skills (often under pressure); and
• Ability to handle confrontations with professionalism and confidence; and
• Must be punctual and have consistent attendance for scheduled and assigned games.

Other Qualifications:

• CPR, AED, and First Aid training or have the ability to obtain this training within 6 months of hire (City will provide training).

Criminal Background Screening:

• This position may involve access to facilities, worksites, or environments where vulnerable adults and/or minors are present. To help ensure the safety of those individuals, employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.
• Background screenings will be conducted only after a conditional offer of employment has been made and will comply with applicable laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act.
• Applicants must provide consent for the background check before it is conducted.

Position Levels:

There are four (4) levels for Referees (Referee in Training, Referee, Lead Referee, Solo Referee) and pay is based on the following:

• Experience
• Availability of service
• Acceptance of all parts of the basketball program while officiating
• Number of people officiating the game
• Ability and skills to train lower-level Referee positions.