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Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials

  • Bright Outlook
  • Rapid Growth

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.

What you’d do

  • Officiate at sporting events, games, or competitions, to maintain standards of play and to ensure that game rules are observed.
  • Inspect game sites for compliance with regulations or safety requirements.
  • Resolve claims of rule infractions or complaints by participants and assess any necessary penalties, according to regulations.
  • Signal participants or other officials to make them aware of infractions or to otherwise regulate play or competition.
  • Teach and explain the rules and regulations governing a specific sport.
  • Inspect sporting equipment or examine participants to ensure compliance with event and safety regulations.
  • Report to regulating organizations regarding sporting activities, complaints made, and actions taken or needed, such as fines or other disciplinary actions.
  • Confer with other sporting officials, coaches, players, and facility managers to provide information, coordinate activities, and discuss problems.

Skills that matter

  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Monitoring
  • Active Learning

How to get there

Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

Also called

  • Horse Show Judge
  • Major League Baseball Umpire (MLB Umpire)
  • Referee
  • Sports Official
  • Basketball Referee
  • Diving Judge

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