Each FIRST Robotics Competition season culminates with district and regional events where qualifying teams compete for awards and a spot at the FIRST Championship. Events offer students an amazing experience as they celebrate their hard work, have fun, make new friendships, and are exposed to ideas and ideology that will enhance their lives for decades to come.
To learn more about the FIRST Robotics Community, please visit FIRST | For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (firstinspires.org)
FIRST Events are staffed by volunteers and there many technical and non-technical roles available.
Judges for FIRST Robotics Competition select team award recipients with the help of a Judge Advisor through interaction with teams. They review team information and serve as role models for the students. Judges have the ability to positively impact the quality of event and have an opportunity to coach students on career paths.
There are separate volunteer roles within the system called “Judge – FIRST Impact Award” and “Judge – Dean’s List Award”. These volunteers focus on those specific awards but much of this role description still applies to those roles.
*Must sign a Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Statement prior to start of service.
Responsibilities
- Attend and complete required judge training
- Learn and understand award criteria and selection process
- Read the judge Manual
- Wear provided judge shirt, closed toed shoes, and safety glasses
- Interview, take notes and observe teams in the Pit, on the playing field, and other areas
- Review all information given by teams while at the event
- Participate on judge panel to help decide team/student awards recipients
- Write short awards scripts extolling merits of winning teams
- Assist with award presentations to teams
- Must disclose all relationships with FIRST Robotics Competition teams at the event and must follow the directions given to you by the Judge Advisor
Experience and Skills Needed
- FIRST experience or technical expertise not required
- Must be post-high school or equivalent. Post-college or equivalent preferred (23 years old or older)
- Strong assessment skills
- Strong critical thinking skills
- Strong interpersonal/communication skills
- Ability to collaborate with others, work as a member of a team
- Ability to balance the nature of the position as one of ensuring fair judging, while acting as a mentor and role model to students participating in the FIRST Robotics Competition
- Ability to move about the facility
To register for this role:
- Visit https://www.firstinspires.org/ways-to-help/volunteer
- Click Volunteer Registration
- Start Registration: Log in or Create Account
- Once you have an account, fill out the Youth Protection Screening along with the About You and Expertise sections.
- From your dashboard, click Event Volunteering and find your event—First Robotics Competition; Wisconsin; Seven Rivers, La Crosse, WI.
- Choose the days, times and roles that interest you, click next and then submit! Thank you!!
Please contact the Volunteer Coordinators (7rrvolunteers@gmail.com) or the Judge Advisor (kflickinger.robotics@gmail.com) with any questions.
