SWIM MEET VOLUNTEER JOBS
Swim meet volunteers are encouraged to review job descriptions for which they sign up. Please contact the Wave Admin with questions prior to the hosted meet, and the Volunteer Check-in Station can provide additional instruction during hosted meets.
All volunteers at Wave events are asked to wear a Wave T-shirt if possible. When arriving for your shift(s), please check in at the Volunteer Station to get credit and to receive a name tag to wear throughout your shift(s).
Example volunteer positions and responsibilities:
8 & Under Staging:
- Arrive 30 minutes prior to start of session
- Stationed near starting blocks
- Assist younger swimmers get to their event and lane on time
- Check event title
- Stage (line up) swimmers according to event and heat
- Ensure swimmers are in the correct pool lane for their event and heat
- Escort swimmers to their lane as required
Announcer:
- Arrive prior to warm-ups; stationed near computer table
- Read the announcer "standard text" provided on table
- Coordinate with Meet Director, officials, volunteers, chief timer, and others to ensure appropriate meet announcements are made
- Ensure microphone is working
- Familiarize yourself with team names, event sequences, listed breaks
- Coordinate meet start with Starter official and Meet Director
- Make event, break, and concessions announcements
- Return mic to pool office at end of day
Awards:
- Station varies: get direction from Volunteer Station
- Put labels on ribbons (runner will bring labels from computer table)
- Sort ribbons by team
- Post event results at designated location (runner will bring result sheets)
Back Up/Head Timer:
- Arrive 30 minutes prior to start of session
- The Chief Timer helps to organize timing volunteers and runners at starting end of pool, distribute stopwatches, time sheets, clipboards
- Attend timers’ meeting prior to start of meet
- Use stopwatch to record all event start/end times
- Relieve lane timers as needed
- As back-up, assist lane timers if a stopwatch malfunctions
- Ensure all stopwatches are accounted for at end of session
Colorado & Computer Operators:
- Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to warm-ups
- Assist Meet Director/Officials with computer system (computer and Colorado).
- Coordinate with other computer operators, announcer, runners, and officials
- Coordinate touch pad testing
- Run the computer or Colorado timing system during the meet
- Tear down computer system at end of day
- Help fix system issues during the meet as needed
Colorado & Computer Operator Trainees:
- With the Meet Director and Meet Computer Operators, learn how to use the Colorado Timing equipment and the Meet Computer
Concessions:
- If opening first day, assist with any morning-of setup, organization
- Arrive prior to start of warm-ups
- Prepare and sell food to customers
- Issue correct change, confirm customers have paid via cash app options
- Supply Hospitality Room attendant with backfill supplies as needed
- Keep area tidy
- Assist with clean up at end of shift (at end of meet, store any open plates, napkins, cups, etc. in provided storage baggies)
Event Setup/Cleanup:
- Assist with carrying in/out supplies (before/after meet)
- Assist with putting up/taking down signage (all signage originates at and returns to Volunteer Station)
- Assist with Concessions setup and preparation/clean up and tear down
Heat Winner Distribution:
- Stationed behind blocks/starting end of pool
- Give heat winner(s) award(s) after each heat of each event
Hospitality Room:
- Very important role for an organized, tidy, and meticulous person!
- Generally remains in room but might leave as needed to restock supplies or to restock pool deck water (assistance available for coverage/help)
- Arrive prior to warm-ups
- Prepare and organize hospitality room for coaches and officials
- Assist with morning deliveries
- Work with Concessions as needed to restock offerings
- Monitor food/drink stock and temperature
- Ensure tidiness at all times
- Ensure pool deck water cooler is stocked at all times
Locker Room Attendant:
- Very important role for someone who is alert and not timid!
- Must remain at station and secure coverage if stepping away from post
- Ensure safety and enforce rules (no adults in locker room, enforce same rules as Meet Marshal)
Meet Marshal:
- Very important role for someone who is alert and not timid!
- Ensure safety and enforce rules (no adults on deck other than coaches, officials, volunteers; shoes required outside of pool deck, no running, no photos behind blocks, etc.)
Officials Assistant:
- Arrive 30 minutes prior to start of session
- Meet at computer tables and report to officials for direction
- Ensure the officials have DQ slips (located at computer table) and assist with DQ slip running
- Delivers award labels to Awards table
- Delivers or posts results (depends on meet location)
- Partners with Runner
Runner:
- Arrive 30 minutes prior to start of session
- Meet with Chief Timer and Meet Director
- Attend timer meeting before meet start
- Collect timer sheets and deliver to computer table
- Ensure lane timers have timer sheets in event order and have necessary supplies (pencils, clipboards)
- Partners with Officials Assistant
Timer:
- Arrive 30 minutes prior to start of session
- Attend timer meeting prior to start of meet
- Use stopwatch and/or lane plunger to record official athlete times. Accuracy and attention are very important. Runner will pick up the time slip from you.
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for getting splashed!
- Return stopwatch to Head Timer at end of session
Volunteer Station:
- Check in volunteers for their shifts, distribute nametags, provide additional direction as needed and given to you (based on job, meet, etc.)
- Track arrival of meet-critical roles (such as timers) and alert Meet Director/Meet Marshal if there are no-shows
- Contact anyone late for their shift
- Greet spectators and provide guidance as needed
- Might double up as awards table depending on meet and location
