PSC Parent Volunteer Positions and Descriptions

Timers – There is no experience required for this position.  It involves using a hand-held timer and plunger, along with a little bit of writing.  Two timers are required for each lane.  Each timer will start their stopwatch at the start of the race.  At the end of the race when the swimmer is coming into the finish, timers will watch for contact with the wall and push the stop button on their stopwatch.  One timer typically also will have the plunger, which is connected to the electronic timing system.  Plunger will be pushed on swimmer’s finish.  Each pair of timers will have a clipboard with paper and pencil where they will record the times on each watch.  There is always a timer’s meeting before the start of the meet to review expectations and rules.  This position does require that you stand for the length of the meet, staying on the pool deck when required.  Positions can be split if there are two volunteers who want to split the meet.

Runner – There is no experience required for this position.  The runners are responsible for gathering all the paper time sheets from the timers at the end of each event and getting them to the official’s table.  They may also be required to communicate between the officials at the table and the timers at the lane.  Depending on the session, runners are also responsible for taking event/heat results to the posting area for spectators and guests, which involves going up and down stairs multiple times.  This position involves standing for much of the time, staying on the pool deck and being available when needed for the duration of the meet.  Each position can be split if there are two volunteers  who want to split the meet.

Colorado Operator – This position does require experience and training on the use of the Colorado system.  The Colorado Operator is required to be present for the entire length of the meet, with some before and after time needed as necessary.

Announcer – This position does not require experience.  The announcer will be required to make any necessary announcements via the natatorium sound system.  The announcer will also be required to introduce all swimmers in each heat.  The announcer is required to arrive 30 minutes before the meet and stay the length of the meet.  This position can be split between volunteers if wanting to split the time required for each volunteer.

Safety Marshall – There is no required experience for this position, but there is recommended online training that can be found here: https://www.usaswimming.org/about-usas/top-resources/operational-risk This position requires that volunteers arrive 15 minutes before warm-ups begin and remain on the pool deck for the meet in its entirety, providing supervision to ensure safety.  There is a meeting with the ORD (Operational Risk Director) before the meet that will entail reviewing safety procedures.

Volunteer Check-In – There is no experience required for this position.  Information will be available to the volunteer for review regarding official’s check-in and good standing.  This position is required to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to warm-up.  If volunteers do not show up, this position is required to inform officials so that help can be found.  Volunteering is complete when all officials and volunteers have been checked-in, so there is a good chance this volunteer will be able to watch the entire meet.

Admissions – There is no experience needed for this position.  This position does require that you arrive early, typically at least 15 minutes before the start of warm-ups.  This position is responsible for handling money and admissions with all incoming spectators.  The Admissions volunteer is expected to stay at the admissions table until the midpoint of the meet.  At the end of the shift, the Admissions volunteer is responsible for taking the cash box to the snack bar. 

Hospitality – There is no experience required for this position.  This position is required to arrive about 30 minutes before the start of the meet and stay for the length of the meet.  This volunteer is responsible for keeping drinks and ice filled for officials on deck and for maintaining the hospitality room.

Snack Bar Positions – There is no experience required for these positions.  These volunteers are required to arrive at varying times before and during the meet, depending on volunteer slot.  They are responsible for set up/clean up, handling money and sanitary food distribution to guests.  Volunteers will be able to watch meet when customers are slow and coverage is available.  Volunteer positions are broken up so that volunteers can watch at least half of the meet.

Score Poster/Ribbon Writer – There is no experience required for this position.  This position allows volunteers to view the meet in its entirety from the stands.  The Score Poster/Ribbon Writer will obtain the event/heat results from the official’s table on the pool deck (typically handed directly from the table up to the stands) and post the results in the hallway outside the natatorium for spectators.  This volunteer is also responsible for preparing ribbons for swimmers and separating ribbons per team.