Volunteer Job Descriptions
Swim Meet Positions
These positions need to be filled for
every meet. If you are brand new to the summer swim
league, the jobs of timer, runner, set up, take down, bullpen,
ribbons, and concessions are good places to start. Positions in blue are considered officials positions that require classroom (or online) training class.
BULLPEN: Supervises the swimmer waiting area during meets, marks arms of swimmers with event/heat/lane, distributes event cards for relays, keeps track of swimmers - as best as they reasonably can - between events, and gets swimmers to the ready bench on time with caps and goggles. For most age groups, several parents will share this job. This position is obviously more important for the younger swimmers and (8 & under and 9-10) is especially critical to the timely start of the meet. Requires standing half of the meet. Training by Head Clerk of Course is required for this position. No certification needed.
CHIEF TIMER: Organizes and briefs the Lane Timers on their duties prior to the meet and is in charge of the lane timers throughout the meet. The head timer has the authority to remove and replace any lane timer, with the approval of the home meet director. Requires standing for at least half of meet. Online certification required for this position.
CLERK OF COURSE: They are the key to keeping a meet on schedule. Responsible for lining up the swimmers by event, heat and lane and getting them to the starting blocks in the correct order and on time. Requires some standing and sitting for at least half of meet. May require some pre-meet work. This position is not recommended for parents new to swim team. Classroom training and online certification is required for this position.
COMPUTERS: Responsible for entering data from time cards and verifying data entered. Marks the official time for each swimmer, records the order of finishes and verifies the computer results. Sitting position (sometimes indoors, sometimes outdoors). Classroom training or one-on-one training with experienced operator is required for this position. Online certification required for this position.
CONCESSIONS: Sells concessions. Helps set up and tear down concession stand. Assigned to work for one half of the meet. Air conditioned indoor position (sometimes) or possibly under tent. No certification needed.
MEET UPDATES: Stationed near starter on pool deck; feeds event updates continuously onto Swimtopia app. Must have access to reliable cell phone and must stay alert and undistracted during volunteer time. May be sitting or standing. No certification needed.
RECORDS & RIBBONS: Determines the winner of each individual event heat and places labels on ribbons; sorts and files ribbons into swimmer file folder. Assigned to work for one half of the meet. This job keeps you sitting down and out of the sun but may require you to keep working for a short while after the meet is over. Online certification required for this position.
REFEREE: The Referee will be primarily responsible for the deck to include strokes and turns and starts. He/she must see that all rules are enforced and applied appropriately and must decide all questions arising during the course of the meet, the final settlement of which is not otherwise covered by the rules. Requires standing possibly the full meet and lots of quick walking back and forth. Experience, classroom training, and online certification is required for this position.
RUNNER: Responsible for bringing the lane time sheets to the computer table quarterly. Gather DQ forms for each race from the timers and judges. This job keeps you moving around at the poolside. Online certification required for this position.
SET UP: Sets up the pool area for the swim meet. Moves deck chairs, starting blocks, sets up canopies, announcer stand and ready bench. This position requires time on Thursday afternoons/early evenings prior to home meets. No certification needed.
STARTER: Starts each event with the announcement of the age and stroke and the words "SWIMMERS TAKE YOUR MARK", pauses to make sure that all swimmers are motionless, and then gives an electronic sound or a blast of a whistle. He/She shall be the sole judge of FALSE STARTS and all false starts shall be restarted. Requires standing at least half of meet. Experience and classroom training is required for this position.
STROKE & TURN JUDGE: Work on each side of the pool during the meet watching the technique of the swimmers. Judges only rule on infractions on their side of the pool. They observe strokes, turns, and finishes to see that swimmers comply with requirements for that stroke. Requires standing at least half of meet. Classroom training and online certification is required for this position.
TIMER: Clocks the swimmer’s time. Each timer is provided a stopwatch and assigned a lane; there are three timers for each lane. All three times are recorded and the average time becomes the official time. One volunteer in each lane will record all of the times. Requires standing for half of meet. Online certification required for this position.
