Swim Meet Job Descriptions
When you sign up your swimmers for a meet, you'll need to provide one volunteer from the family to cover a swim meet job. Most jobs last half of the meet. Not all jobs listed here are needed for every meet. Some of the specific job descriptions for the all league meet can be found on that sign up page. See the Family Participation Policy for a more complete description of the requirements.
Clerks of Course (2 per shift)- Gather swimmers with the help of swim area managers for each meet event (freestyle, backstroke, etc.) and take them to the appropriate lanes or staging area for the swim event. Once the event is ready, the clerks ensures that each swimmer is placed in the appropriate lane for the event. Notify the runners, referee, starter and computer manager if events need to be combined to shorten the meet. Shift transition times are approximate: shift 1 ends after Backstroke, Shift 2 starts with Breaststroke.
Computer Assistants (2)– Help the Computer Manager in preparation for and management of computer responsibilities at meets. This includes table, tent and computer setup before the meet, and takedown after the meet
Concessions Workers (3 per shift)– Help run the concessions stand. First shift arrives early (5pm or 7am) to help set up table, tents, food, drinks, etc. The second shift stays after the meet to clean up and put equipment, tables, tents and remaining items away. Volunteers pick up 10 bags of ice around 7:00 am, donuts from Shoppers Food Warehouse around 7:30 am, and pizzas from Paisanos around 10am. Volunteers take orders, receive payment, serve food, and make snow cones. Shift transition times are approximate. Shift 1 ends after Backstroke. Shift 2 starts with Breaststroke.
Head Timer – Brief Timers on their duties, organize Timers into the appropriate lanes and ensure that each lane gets its heat sheet before the meet. Time each race as a backup in case one of the timers misses the start. Monitor Timers in case they need assistance.
Parking Marshal - In conjunction with Meet Director and Board President, determine if field is too water logged to allow for parking. Mark off dirt infield of baseball field to ensure no vehicles park there. Ensure no vehicles park in staff & clubhouse spots as well as reserved spots for the concessions buyer. Direct parking on field to ensure that access to and exit from farther parts of the field are not blocked off. Ensure no vehicles are blocking sidewalks.
Photographer - Take pictures of the swim meet and upload them to the team website.
Referee - Open and Close each heat as head official of the meet. Requires training, preferably from certified organization.
Runner (1-2)– Collect time sheets from lane timers after each race and bring them to the computer table. Collect any Disqualification (DQ) cards from Stroke & Turn judges and take them to the referee for review and then to the computer table. There are two runners who work together (one from each team if in person meet).
Starter - Starts each event, announcing the age, stroke and the words "Swimmers, take your mark." Pauses to make sure that all swimmers are motionless and then gives an electronic sound or blast of a whistle. Is the sole judge of False Starts. This job requires prior training.
Stroke & Turn Judges (4-5) - Observe strokes, turns, and finishes to see that swimmers comply with requirements for that stroke. Rule on infractions on assigned side of the pool. Shift transition times are approximate. Shift 1 ends after Backstroke. Shift 2 starts with Breaststroke. Requires training from a certified organization.
Substitutes (2 each shift)- Help in any job where there is a need.
Swimmer Area Managers (2 each shift) - Monitor team area to insure swimmers stay with the team and are ready for their event. Work with the clerks of course to find swimmers for each race. Shift transition times are approximate. Shift 1 ends after Backstroke. Shift 2 starts with Breaststroke.
Timers (9 each shift for most meets; 18 each shift for time trials and virtual meets)– Track swimmer's time with a stop watch that is provided by the team. One of the three timers in each lane records the swimmer’s time on the time sheets. At home meets, 1st shift timers arrive early (5pm or 7am) to help set up the pool. 2nd shift timers stay after to help clean up. Shift transition times are approximate. Shift 1 ends after Backstroke. Shift 2 starts with Breaststroke.
Volunteer Coordinator Assistant: Help the Volunteer Coordinator address any volunteer issues that come up before and during the meet. Help the VC check in and find volunteers, pass out name tags, and fill in anywhere as needed.
