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Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials

Officiate at competitive athletic or sporting events. Detect infractions of rules and decide penalties according to established regulations. Includes all sporting officials, referees, and competition judges.
  • Summary

  • Details

  • Work Activities

    • Inspect game sites for compliance with regulations or safety requirements.
    • Teach and explain the rules and regulations governing a specific sport.
    • Verify scoring calculations before competition winners are announced.
    • Research and study players and teams to anticipate issues that might arise in future engagements.
    • Direct participants to assigned areas, such as starting blocks or penalty areas.
    • Report to regulating organizations regarding sporting activities, complaints made, and actions taken or needed, such as fines or other disciplinary actions.
    • Inspect game sites for compliance with regulations or safety requirements.
    • Judge performances in sporting competitions to award points, impose scoring penalties, and determine results.
    • Resolve claims of rule infractions or complaints by participants and assess any necessary penalties, according to regulations.
    • Confer with other sporting officials, coaches, players, and facility managers to provide information, coordinate activities, and discuss problems.
    • Inspect sporting equipment or examine participants to ensure compliance with event and safety regulations.
    • Inspect sporting equipment or examine participants to ensure compliance with event and safety regulations.
    • Signal participants or other officials to make them aware of infractions or to otherwise regulate play or competition.
    • Officiate at sporting events, games, or competitions, to maintain standards of play and to ensure that game rules are observed.
    • Research and study players and teams to anticipate issues that might arise in future engagements.
    • Keep track of event times, including race times and elapsed time during game segments, starting or stopping play when necessary.
    • Verify credentials of participants in sporting events, and make other qualifying determinations, such as starting order or handicap number.
    • Report to regulating organizations regarding sporting activities, complaints made, and actions taken or needed, such as fines or other disciplinary actions.
    • Compile scores and other athletic records.
    • Start races and competitions.

    Skills

    • Quality Control Analysis
      • Testing how well a product or service works.
    • Active Learning
      • Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
    • Complex Problem Solving
      • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
    • Technology Design
      • Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
    • Monitoring
      • Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
    • Operation and Control
      • Using equipment or systems.
    • Equipment Selection
      • Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.
    • Troubleshooting
      • Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.
    • Coordination
      • Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
    • Operations Monitoring
      • Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
    • Management of Financial Resources
      • Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
    • Management of Material Resources
      • Managing equipment and materials.
    • Persuasion
      • Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
    • Judgment and Decision Making
      • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
    • Social Perceptiveness
      • Understanding people's reactions.
    • Critical Thinking
      • Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
    • Negotiation
      • Bringing people together to solve differences.
    • Active Listening
      • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
    • Learning Strategies
      • Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
    • Systems Evaluation
      • Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
    • Reading Comprehension
      • Reading work-related information.
    • Instructing
      • Teaching people how to do something.
    • Service Orientation
      • Looking for ways to help people.
    • Science
      • Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
    • Repairing
      • Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.
    • Operations Analysis
      • Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
    • Programming
      • Writing computer programs.
    • Writing
      • Writing things for co-workers or customers.
    • Speaking
      • Talking to others.
    • Installation
      • Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.
    • Equipment Maintenance
      • Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.
    • Mathematics
      • Using math to solve problems.
    • Systems Analysis
      • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
    • Time Management
      • Managing your time and the time of other people.
    • Management of Personnel Resources
      • Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.

    Abilities

    • Number Facility
      • Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
    • Speed of Closure
      • Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
    • Perceptual Speed
      • Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
    • Mathematical Reasoning
      • Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
    • Fluency of Ideas
      • Coming up with lots of ideas.
    • Response Orientation
      • Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.
    • Gross Body Coordination
      • Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.
    • Auditory Attention
      • Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
    • Speech Recognition
      • Recognizing spoken words.
    • Deductive Reasoning
      • Using rules to solve problems.
    • Explosive Strength
      • Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.
    • Static Strength
      • Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
    • Spatial Orientation
      • Knowing where things are around you.
    • Dynamic Flexibility
      • Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
    • Oral Expression
      • Communicating by speaking.
    • Multilimb Coordination
      • Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
    • Dynamic Strength
      • Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
    • Trunk Strength
      • Using your lower back and stomach.
    • Visual Color Discrimination
      • Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
    • Reaction Time
      • Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
    • Extent Flexibility
      • Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.
    • Night Vision
      • Seeing at night or under low light.
    • Depth Perception
      • Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
    • Time Sharing
      • Doing two or more things at the same time.
    • Category Flexibility
      • Grouping things in different ways.
    • Finger Dexterity
      • Putting together small parts with your fingers.
    • Sound Localization
      • Noticing the direction that a sound came from.
    • Written Expression
      • Communicating by writing.
    • Stamina
      • Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.
    • Speech Clarity
      • Speaking clearly.
    • Memorization
      • Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
    • Flexibility of Closure
      • Seeing hidden patterns.
    • Visualization
      • Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
    • Selective Attention
      • Paying attention to something without being distracted.
    • Inductive Reasoning
      • Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
    • Manual Dexterity
      • Holding or moving items with your hands.
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
      • Keeping your arm or hand steady.
    • Originality
      • Creating new and original ideas.
    • Problem Sensitivity
      • Noticing when problems happen.
    • Written Comprehension
      • Reading and understanding what is written.
    • Control Precision
      • Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
    • Near Vision
      • Seeing details up close.
    • Wrist-Finger Speed
      • Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
    • Rate Control
      • Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
    • Far Vision
      • Seeing details that are far away.
    • Oral Comprehension
      • Listening and understanding what people say.
    • Gross Body Equilibrium
      • Keeping your balance or staying upright.
    • Speed of Limb Movement
      • Quickly moving your arms and legs.
    • Peripheral Vision
      • Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.
    • Glare Sensitivity
      • Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.
    • Hearing Sensitivity
      • Telling the difference between sounds.
    • Information Ordering
      • Ordering or arranging things.

    Knowledge

    • Philosophy and Theology
      • Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
    • History and Archeology
      • Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
    • Sociology and Anthropology
      • Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
    • English Language
      • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
    • Physics
      • Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
    • Geography
      • Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
    • Administrative
      • Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
    • Production and Processing
      • Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
    • Therapy and Counseling
      • Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
    • Education and Training
      • Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
    • Chemistry
      • Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
    • Sales and Marketing
      • Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
    • Computers and Electronics
      • Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
    • Mathematics
      • Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
    • Personnel and Human Resources
      • Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
    • Building and Construction
      • Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
    • Medicine and Dentistry
      • Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
    • Fine Arts
      • Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
    • Economics and Accounting
      • Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
    • Food Production
      • Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
    • Engineering and Technology
      • Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
    • Biology
      • Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
    • Mechanical
      • Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
    • Psychology
      • Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
    • Customer and Personal Service
      • Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
    • Administration and Management
      • Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
    • Design
      • Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
    • Communications and Media
      • Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
    • Transportation
      • Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
    • Telecommunications
      • Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
    • Foreign Language
      • Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
    • Law and Government
      • Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
    • Public Safety and Security
      • Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

    Education

    Education
    High school diploma or equivalent
    Work Experience
    No work experience
    Training
    1 to 12 months on-the-job training

    Pay

    Washington Annual Salary
    40040/yr

    Washington Employment Trends

    Currently Employed
    1,230
    Yearly Projected Openings
    310

    Personality

    Enterprising: People interested in this work like activities that include leading, making decisions, and business. They do well at jobs that need:
    • Self-Confidence
    • Stress Tolerance
    • Self-Control
    • Integrity
    • Attention to Detail
    • Dependability

    Tools

    • Ball pump
    • Bench scales
    • Cross trainers
    • Digital video disk players or recorders
    • Exercise balls
    • Fitness weights
    • Flags or accessories
    • Game accessories
    • Ice skates
    • Notebook computers
    • Personal computers
    • Phone headsets
    • Pressure indicators
    • Public address systems
    • Sport safety equipment other than headgear
    • Sport safety headgear
    • Sport scoreboards
    • Sports timer
    • Stationary bicycles
    • Tablet computers
    • Tape measures
    • Treadmills
    • Whistle

    Technology

    • Data base user interface and query software
    • Document management software
    • Electronic mail software
    • Internet browser software
    • Office suite software
    • Presentation software
    • Spreadsheet software
    • Video creation and editing software
    • Word processing software