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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

Flag Football Referee

Henrico, VA · On-site

$15 - $16/hr

Looking for flag football referee who has either played or refereed flag football before. Flag Football Specialist should be available to work Sunday early afternoon to help facilitate games. The pay ...

Piedmont YMCA

Sports Referee

Charlottesville, VA

$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

$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 ...

York County, VA

Soccer Official (Referee)

Yorktown, VA · On-site

$20/hr

No 02 What is the level of your soccer experience? 03 Do you have any refereeing experience? * Yes * No 04 Do you have any experience working with youth? * Yes * No 05 Are you a current York County ...

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$58

How much do referee jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 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 qualifications do I need to become a referee?

To become a referee, you typically need to complete a certification or training course approved by the relevant sports or governing body, which covers rules, safety, and officiating techniques. Some positions may require a minimum age, good physical fitness, and knowledge of the sport's rules, with ongoing education or recertification often necessary to maintain qualification.

How to get hired as a referee?

To get hired as a referee, you typically need to obtain relevant certifications or training from a recognized sports organization, gain experience through volunteering or officiating smaller games, and demonstrate good communication and decision-making skills. Employers often look for a clean background check and a good understanding of the rules of the sport. Applying to local leagues, sports clubs, or officiating agencies is also common.

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.

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 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 referees?

Referees are officials responsible for enforcing the rules and maintaining order during sporting events. They make decisions on plays, resolve disputes between players or teams, and ensure fair play. Referees use their knowledge of the game and quick judgment to keep competitions safe and fair for all participants. Their role is crucial in upholding the integrity of sports.

How much do refs get paid?

Referees' pay varies depending on the level of competition and location. For example, youth sports referees may earn $10 to $30 per game, while high school and college referees can earn $50 to $200 per game or more. Certification and experience often influence pay rates, and referees typically work on a part-time basis with flexible schedules.

What is the highest paying referee job?

The highest paying referee jobs are typically in professional sports leagues, such as the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), or the National Basketball Association (NBA), where referees can earn six-figure salaries. These positions often require extensive experience, certification, and the ability to officiate at the highest competitive levels. Pay varies based on league, experience, and game frequency.
More about Referee jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Referee jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Referee jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Referee jobs in Virginia? For Referee jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Referee jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Referee jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Referee jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Referee job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Referee jobs in VA? For Referee jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Referee jobs near you
Infographic showing various Referee job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 55% Full Time, 39% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote 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

Posted 4 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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