Youth Sports Referee

Why Your Role Matters  

At the Greater Austin YMCA, youth sports are about more than just the game—they’re about building character, teamwork, and confidence in every child. As a Youth Sports Referee, you play a crucial role in creating a safe, fair, and fun environment across multiple sports, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, and flag football. Your ability to enforce rules, encourage sportsmanship and ensure player safety helps shape a positive experience for young athletes. 

How You Make an Impact   

• Create a safe and welcoming environment where all players, families, and coaches feel included and valued. 
• Ensure fair play for everyone by officiating games with consistency, integrity, and respect. 
• Promote teamwork and sportsmanship by modeling positive behavior and encouraging players to support one another. 
• Keep the game safe and fun by identifying and addressing potential risks before each match begins. 
• Stay calm and confident when making calls, ensuring that every participant feels heard and respected.  
• Communicate effectively and with empathy, engaging with players, coaches, and families in a positive and professional manner. 
• Support smooth game-day operations by assisting with equipment setup and takedown as needed. 
• Respond to injuries or emergencies with care and efficiency, ensuring all incidents are properly reported. 
• Continue to learn and grow by attending trainings and meetings to enhance your officiating skills. 
• Demonstrate the YMCA’s values in every interaction, fostering a positive culture and serving as an ambassador of our work to inspire others and strengthen our purpose within the community. 
• Complete all duties as assigned to support the success of the sports program. 

What You Bring to the Y  

• Minimum age of 16. 
• At least one year of experience in officiating, playing sports, or a similar role, with a willingness to learn new sports. 
• CPR and First Aid certification (must be obtained within 30 days of employment). 
• Official certification is a plus but not required. 
• Strong decision-making skills with the ability to remain calm under pressure. 
• Growth Mindset: Learn and improve to better serve members and the mission. 
• Team Player: Work collaboratively with others and support a positive team environment. 
• Communicates Effectively: Listen actively and communicate clearly with members and peers. 
• Customer Focused: Anticipates needs and ensures quality, member-centered service. 
• Fosters Belonging: Ensure everyone feels welcomed, respected, and included. 

Physical Requirements: 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, talk and occasionally lift and/or move items including equipment, furniture and/or children. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

Work Location

5315 Ed Bluestein Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78723, United States

About Us

The Greater Austin YMCA is a dynamic force elevating quality of life in Greater Austin by boldly expanding access for all children, adults, families and seniors in our rapidly growing community. For nearly 75 years, the Greater Austin YMCA has evolved to address each community's greatest needs, touching every phase of life and nurturing happier, healthier people, a stronger community and a better world.

We believe everyone deserves access to high-quality programs that keep our community strong. As a proud 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we provide financial assistance to expand access so community members can learn, grow, and thrive through our early learning academies, fitness and wellness centers, youth programs, workforce development, adult programming, mental health counseling, and more.

Each year, the Y serves nearly 140,000 people across Travis and Hays counties through seven fitness and wellness centers, more than 55 licensed campuses in four school districts, two YMCA Tomorrow Academy™ locations, and Camp Moody, our outdoor Adventure camp.

Globally, the YMCA is one of the oldest and largest youth-serving organizations in the world, united by our commitment to a better future -- for all.

Additional Information:

The organization has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

The Greater Austin YMCA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Greater Austin YMCA complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which we have employees. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

We Take Care of Our People

• Benefit from a free household YMCA membership, enriching both your life and the lives of others.
• Access retirement planning options to secure your future.
• Enhance your skills through participation in learning and development workshops.
• Exclusive cell phone plan discounts for AT&T and T-Mobile/Sprint users.
• Discounts on programs and services to make your YMCA experience even more rewarding.

Pay Range

$15.00 - $19.00 per hour, Depending on experience