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Referee Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Rappahannock Area YMCA

REFEREE

Falmouth, VA · On-site

Referees will support the work of the YMCA, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening the community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

YMCA

REFEREE

Falmouth, VA · On-site

Referees will support the work of the YMCA, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening the community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

YMCA of Greater Richmond

Basketball Referee

Chester, VA · On-site

$15 - $16/hr

The Chester Family YMCA is seeking a youth basketball referee to officiate in our basketball programs. This part time position has a pay range between $15-$16 per hour. DUTIES of RefereeCandidates ...

Piedmont YMCA

Sports Referee

Charlottesville, VA · On-site

$16 - $20/hr

Referees will support the work of the YMCA, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening the community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Liberty

Intramural Sports Referee

Lynchburg, VA · On-site

$12.77/hr

The Intramural Sports Referee is responsible to fairly officiate Intramural Sports events, maintaining standards of play and ensuring that rules are adhered to. They are responsible for performing ...

Town of Blacksburg, VA

Sports Official

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Football Referee - $45/game * Basketball Official - $40/game * Volleyball Official - $25/game Shifts: Nights and Weekends, 3-10 hours/week The Town of Blacksburg is an EEO Employer M/F/D/V Essential ...

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How much do referee jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for referee in Virginia is $20.75, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.92 and $21.92 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a referee?

A referee is an official who monitors a sport, such as football games, on the field of play to enforce rules, determine scores, and ensure fair play. Referees can be found at all levels of competition, beginning at the youth recreational level all the way up to the college and professional leagues. As a referee, your job duties also include monitoring player safety, assessing penalties for rules infractions, and keeping up with the amount of game time left to play in the match. You often work with a team of other officials to cover the entire field of play.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a referee, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Referee, you need a deep understanding of the sport’s rules, quick decision-making abilities, and often certification from a recognized officiating body. Familiarity with scorekeeping systems, video review technology, and communication devices is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, assertiveness, and composure under pressure help referees manage players, coaches, and high-stakes situations. These competencies are crucial for ensuring fair play, maintaining order, and upholding the integrity of the game.

What are some common challenges referees face during high-stakes games, and how can they handle them effectively?

Referees often encounter intense pressure during high-stakes games, including dealing with passionate players, coaches, and fans, as well as making split-second decisions that can impact the outcome. Maintaining composure and clear communication is essential to manage on-field conflicts and ensure fair play. Referees can handle these challenges by staying up-to-date with rule changes, participating in regular training, and developing strong conflict resolution skills. Building rapport with teams and relying on support from officiating colleagues also helps manage stressful situations more effectively.

What is the difference between Referee vs Umpire?

AspectRefereeUmpire
CredentialsOften requires certification or training specific to the sportTypically requires sport-specific training and certification
Work EnvironmentOn-field, active participation in sports eventsOn-field or behind-the-scenes, depending on sport
Industry UsageCommonly used in sports like soccer, basketball, and hockeyUsed in sports like baseball, cricket, and tennis
Search & ComparisonOften searched by those interested in sports officiating rolesCompared for different sports officiating roles

While both referees and umpires officiate sports, referees generally oversee the entire game and make final decisions, whereas umpires focus on specific aspects or areas of play. Understanding these differences helps clarify job roles in various sports industries.

Are referees in high demand?

Referees are generally in steady demand, especially in sports leagues, schools, and recreational organizations. Opportunities can vary based on the sport, level of competition, and region, with certifications often required to qualify for paid positions.

Can you make a living being a referee?

Referees can make a living depending on the level of competition, experience, and the sport. Professional referees in major leagues or tournaments often earn a full-time income, while amateur or youth referees typically supplement their income with other jobs. Certification and consistent scheduling are important for career advancement and earning potential.
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For Referee jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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The top searched job categories for Referee jobs in Virginia are:

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Referee jobs near you
Infographic showing various Referee job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 31% Full Time, 61% Part Time, and 8% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $43,166 per year, or $20.8 per hour.

REFEREE

Rappahannock Area YMCA

Falmouth, VA • On-site

Part-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

Description
POSITION SUMMARY:
The primary responsibilities of a YMCA Referee are to enforce the rules of the respective sport, to create a positive, fun, and safe game atmosphere, and to encourage sportsmanship and equal playing time for all participants. Referees will support the work of the YMCA, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening the community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
  • Perform the role of an official to monitor play, oversee the safety of players, and ensure respective sport and YMCA rules are followed.
  • Arrive at sporting events at least 15 minutes prior to event start time.
  • Ensure games run on time.
  • Maintain records as required (i.e. game scores, player playtime).
  • Build effective, authentic relationships with players, parents, and coaches; help them connect with each other and the YMCA.
  • Encourage parent involvement and identify potential volunteers.
  • Listen to concerns, resolve problems, and correct inappropriate behavior.
  • Document situations and relay them to the Site Supervisor.
  • Follow all YMCA policies, rules, regulations, and procedures, including emergency and safety procedures.
  • Complete incident and accident reports as necessary.
  • Exhibit positive public relations; wear the required YMCA attire to all games.
  • Attend staff meetings and training as scheduled.
  • Adhere to the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:
  • Advancing Our Mission & Cause: Engaging Community, Volunteerism, Philanthropy, Change Leadership
  • Building Relationships: Collaboration, Communication & Influence, Inclusion
  • Leading Operations: Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Fiscal Management, Functional Expertise, Innovation, Program/Project Management
  • Developing & Inspiring People: Developing Self & Others, Emotional Maturity

QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Must be at least 16 years old
  • Any combination of experience and education that provides the knowledge, skills and abilities to officiate either youth volleyball or youth basketball
  • Minimum three (3) months of experience in a recreation or sport setting as an employee, volunteer, or participant.
  • Must be available Saturday
  • Must possess oral, auditory, and written communication skills appropriate for interacting with both adults and children.
  • Must be able to take initiative, have strong time management skills, and work independently in performing the duties of a Referee.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be on their feet and may have to lift/pull equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
The employee is frequently required to sit and reach and be able to move around the work environment.
Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical situations and physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency

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