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Summer Referee Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Summer Referee information

See Arizona salary details

$5

$19

$54

How much do summer referee jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for summer referee in Arizona is $19.51, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.20 and $20.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a summer referee?

Summer Referees are individuals who officiate sports games, tournaments, or recreational leagues that take place during the summer months. Their responsibilities include enforcing the rules of the game, ensuring fair play, making judgment calls on plays, and maintaining order on the field or court. Summer Referees may work with various age groups and sports, such as soccer, baseball, basketball, or swimming. They often work part-time or seasonally and may require training or certification depending on the sport and organization.

What does a summer referee do?

As a summer referee, you work in the summer months, typically from June to August, to officiate at sports games. While these are seasonal positions, your responsibilities are no different than at any other time of year. Depending on the sport, your duties may include judging athletes' performance, imposing score penalties, awarding points, signaling to officials and participants about gameplay, inspecting sporting equipment, verifying proper uniforms for athletes, and tracking event times. As a referee, you may work with multiple sports and must be familiar with all rules and regulations. You report to a regulating organization and document complaints, injuries, and other notable activities that happen during a game.

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

To thrive as a Summer Referee, you need a solid understanding of the sport’s rules, good physical fitness, and often a referee certification or relevant training. Familiarity with scorekeeping systems, referee communication devices, and sometimes digital reporting tools is typically required. Strong decision-making, conflict resolution, and clear communication are essential soft skills for managing players, coaches, and spectators. These skills ensure fair play, player safety, and smooth game operations throughout the season.

What are some common challenges faced by summer referees, and how can they effectively handle them?

Summer referees often encounter challenges such as managing heated interactions between players, coaches, or spectators, and making quick, fair decisions in fast-paced games. To handle these situations effectively, referees should remain calm, communicate decisions clearly, and consistently apply the rules. Building strong conflict resolution skills and maintaining professionalism helps ensure a positive experience for all participants. Additionally, staying physically fit and hydrated is important due to the outdoor, often hot work environment.

What is the difference between Summer Referee vs Summer Lifeguard?

AspectSummer RefereeSummer Lifeguard
Required CertificationsReferee certification, CPR, first aidLifeguard certification, CPR, first aid
Work EnvironmentSports fields, outdoor venuesSwimming pools, beaches, aquatic centers
Employer & Industry UsageSports leagues, school sports, tournamentsPublic pools, beaches, water parks
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Both Summer Referees and Summer Lifeguards require CPR and first aid certifications. While referees oversee sports games in outdoor venues, lifeguards focus on water safety at pools and beaches. Their work environments and employer types differ, but both roles are seasonal, outdoor, and involve safety responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Referee jobs in Arizona?

The most popular types of Referee jobs in Arizona are:

What are popular job titles related to Summer Referee jobs in Arizona?

For Summer Referee jobs in Arizona, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Summer Referee jobs in Arizona look for?

The top searched job categories for Summer Referee jobs in Arizona are:

What cities in Arizona are hiring for Summer Referee jobs?

Cities in Arizona with the most Summer Referee job openings:

Infographic showing various Summer Referee job openings in Arizona as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 40% Full Time, 51% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 5% Contract, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,573 per year, or $19.5 per hour.

Recreation Trainee/Aide/Assistant - Part-Time, Non-Benefited (Seasonal and Year-Round)

City of Mesa

Mesa, AZ • On-site

$22.67/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


City Of Mesa rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 31 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

177th of 854 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Description/Duties These classifications have been designated as non-benefited, non-classified, non-merit system, at-will positions. The City of Mesa is currently recruiting for part-time non-benefitted Recreation Trainees, Recreation Aides, and Recreation Assistants for the summer season as well as year-round opportunities. The summer season positions may work 25 - 38 hours per week between May 2026 through August 2026.

Year-round opportunities may work 19 hours per week throughout the year. All applications will be reviewed to determine eligibility for the highest position for which the applicant is qualified. First review of applications will be Monday, January 19, 2026, and weekly thereafter through August 31, 2026.

Recreation Trainee ($19.72 Hourly) A Recreation Trainee performs a variety of routine tasks involving equipment setup, observing, and/or assisting participants in recreation activities, assisting with maintaining order, providing information about building rules and department activities to participants, and maintaining facilities/assisting with custodial activities. Recreation Aide ($20.71 Hourly) As a Recreation Aide, you will set up for program activities and serve as on-site leader, maintain facilities and equipment, observe participants in activities, maintain order, take reservations for facilities, provide information to participants, perform cash handling procedures, maintain records, and maintain facilities for programs. Recreation Assistant ($22.67 Hourly) A Recreation Assistant - Part-Time performs paraprofessional work assisting in organizing and conducting recreation, sports, cultural, and leisure activities

Work may include: assisting with developing, planning, and evaluating activities and events; providing basic skill instruction; providing information and directions to facility and park patrons, performing cash handling procedures, commodities, maintaining records, and directing group activities; and maintaining facilities, equipment, and supplies. Work may include participating in the activities with participants; training staff; assisting with hiring staff; purchasing equipment; and communicating with school officials, partner organizations, staff, park patrons, and family members/caretakers. Work may require use of point-of-sale terminals or cash registers.

May supervise and direct the work of Recreation Trainees, Aides, and volunteers. Incumbents in this class may be rotated or transferred to other facilities, parks, and/or assignments based on department or seasonal needs. Work may include setting up tables, chairs, tents, and various equipment; and working evening, weekend, and holiday hours.

This class performs related duties as required. Assignments may include the following program areas: Adaptive, Adult Sports, Aquatics, Cashier, Fun'n'Fit, Park Attendant, Recreation Centers, Special Events, Tennis Center, and Youth Sports. Adaptive Assignment may also include: Assisting individuals of all ages and abilities; completing individual assessments; adapting activities for participants; and assisting individuals with transfer and personal care of participants.

Adult Sports Assignment may also include: Updating game/sports standings, monitoring sports field schedules, and assisting with referee duties as needed. Aquatics Assignment may also include: Maintaining the Aquatics equipment and storage facility, reviewing/training staff on cash handling procedures, and transporting deposits and forms to a centralized location. Special Events Assignment may also include: Maintaining Special Event equipment and storage facilities; transporting equipment using City vehicles and trailers; implementing event equipment setup/tear down; and conducting site visits and monitoring events on evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Youth Sports Assignment may also include: Training and scheduling sports officials, developing appropriate sports drills, and performing referee functions for youth sports programs and events. Employees work under the general supervision of a Recreation Specialist or other full-time staff member. Employees may work independently once familiar with the routines of the recreation program.

Work is subject to regular inspections and review to ensure maintenance of established standards. Because of the variety of duties performed by this classification, employees must be able to work flexible hours and be available for weekend and evening work. This class is FLSA nonexempt (part-time and grant-funded).

This class is FLSA exempt-recreational establishment (seasonal). Please refer to the links below for the full job descriptions and additional information regarding assignments, preferred qualifications, and essential functions. Qualifications & Requirements Employee Values: All employees of the City of Mesa are expected to uphold and exhibit the City's shared employee values of Knowledge, Respect, and Integrity.

Recreation Trainee Minimum Qualifications Required. Any combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to completion of the 10th grade (sophomore year). Special Requirements.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid certification within 30 days of hire (by assignment). Valid Department of Economic Security fingerprint clearance card level 2 within 30 days of hire (Adaptive Assignment). Department of Economic Security Article 9 certification within 30 days of hire (Adaptive Assignment).

Protective Behaviors certification within 30 days of hire (Adaptive Assignment). Substance Abuse Testing. Due to the safety and/or security sensitive nature of this classification, individuals shall be subject to pre-employment or pre-placement alcohol, drug and/or controlled substance testing as outlined in City policy and procedures.

Preferred/Desirable Qualifications. Some experience related to the assigned program area is preferred. CPR and First Aid certification is desirable.

Experience organizing and conducting activities for individuals with developmental disabilities (Adaptive Assignment). Experience developing and documenting participants' established goals and objectives through an Individual Service Plan (ISP) (Adaptive Assignment). Positive behavior certification (Adaptive Assignment).

Recreation Aide Minimum Qualifications Required. Any combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to completion of the eleventh grade. Experience related to the program assignment (examples: working/volunteering with children; supervising recreation, sports programs, or facilities; community service projects; working with disabled populations; and teaching or serving as a teacher's aide, etc.) or providing customer service

Special Requirements. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/Automated External Defibrillator (CPR/AED) and First Aid certification within 30 days of hire. Valid fingerprint clearance card level 1 issued by Department of Economic Security, Article 9 certification issued by Department of Economic Security, and Protective Behaviors Certification all within 30 days of hire (Adaptive Assignment).

Substance Abuse Testing. Due to the safety and/or security sensitive nature of this classification, individuals shall be subject to pre-employment or pre-placement alcohol, drug and/or controlled substance testing as outlined in City policy and procedures. Preferred/Desirable Qualifications.

Experience organizing and conducting activities for individuals with disabilities, experience developing an Individual Service Plan (ISP), and/or Prevention and Support certification (Adaptive Assignment). Recreation Assistant Minimum Qualifications Required. Any combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.

Some (6 months - 1 year) experience related to a recreation program area or customer service. Special Requirements. Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver's License by hire or promotion date (by assignment).

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR/AED) and First Aid certification within 30 days of hire. Valid Department of Economic Security fingerprint clearance card level 1 within 30 days of hire, Department of Economic Security Article 9 certification, and Protective Behaviors Certification all within 30 days of hire (Adaptive Assignment). Substance Abuse Testing.

Due to the safety and/or security sensitive nature of this classification, individuals shall be subject to pre-employment or pre-placement alcohol, drug and/or controlled substance testing as outlined in City policy and procedures. Preferred/Desirable Qualifications. Experience in recreation, sports, adaptive, or instructional environment is preferred.

English/Spanish bilingual skills are desirable. Experience organizing and conducting activities for individuals with disabilities, experience developing an Individual Service Plan (ISP), and/or Prevention and Support certification (Adaptive Assignment). Link to Job Description Recreation Trainee https://apps.mesaaz.gov/JobDescriptions/Documents/JobDescriptions/cs1202.pdf Recreation Aide https://apps.mesaaz.gov/JobDescriptions/Documents/JobDescriptions/cs2702.pdf Recreation Assistant http://apps.mesaaz.gov/jobdescriptions/Documents/JobDescriptions/cs3333.pdf


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