Tournament Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Job Description

Job Title: Console Tournament Staff

Division: Gaming
Department: Console Gaming
Reports to: Console Tournament Lead
Position Type: Unpaid Volunteer
Location: Remote with occasional in-person meetings (location-dependent), expected to be on-site during convention dates.

Anthro SoCal is a community-driven convention celebrating furry fandom through art, performance, gaming, and social connection. Our success depends on the dedication and enthusiasm of our volunteer team. Anthro SoCal was formally known as Another Furry Con in 2024-2025.

The Console Tournament Staff member is a specialized role responsible for executing the competitive gaming bracket events at the convention. Operating directly under the Console Tournament Lead, your primary focus is to ensure that tournaments run smoothly, fairly, and completely on schedule. This role requires a unique blend of technical hardware setup, bracket administration, rules enforcement, and crowd control. If you have a passion for competitive gaming, love the energy of tournament brackets, and want to represent the convention with professionalism and decorum, this role is your perfect placement.

• Year-round: None
• As convention approaches: Attend online staff meetings and trainings when requested
• Convention weekend: On-site presence is required with flexible hours
• Pre and post-convention: On-site presence may be required to assist with setup and teardown activities the day before and the day after the event

Your shift will center around setup of consoles and other technology, bracket administration, officiating, and public relations:

• Tournament Production & Execution: Directly assist the Console Tournament Lead in the setup, live operation, and teardown of competitive bracket events. This includes setting up gaming consoles, monitors, and capture cards, as well as configuring audio-visual, streaming, or other systems
• Bracket Administration: Manage digital tournament software platforms (such as start.gg) including checking in and seeding players, progressing brackets, updating match scores, and resolving reporting discrepancies in real time
• Officiating & Rules Enforcement: Act as an official referee or tournament judge. You will announce upcoming matches, enforce tournament rulesets, resolve mid-game player disputes, monitor for fair play, and make impartial competitive rulings
• Informed Guest Services & Decorum: Act as a welcoming ambassador for the convention. You will answer reasonable attendee questions with friendly, informed responses, and guide more complex or specialized questions to the appropriate leadership. At all times, you are expected to carry yourself with the high standard of decorum, warmth, and impromptu public speaking ability that befits Anthro SoCal's promise to host an excellent event
• Collaborative Team Support: Actively assist other team members to help manage room crowds, clear spaces, and ensure the entire department runs seamlessly

Required:

• Outstanding Decorum & Hospitality: A genuinely friendly, patient, and personable attitude. You must be eager to interact with competitive players and spectators while maintaining a calm, objective, and authoritative presence under pressure
• Punctuality & Reliability: Strict adherence to tournament schedules and call times. Competitive brackets run on rigid timelines, and events cannot launch without staff present

Preferred:

• Technical Hardware Competency: Familiarity with setting up gaming consoles and managing basic system settings or network menus
• Tournament Software Familiarity: Experience utilizing or navigating modern bracket-management platforms like start.gg or equivalent tournament systems
• Fighting Game and/or Competitive Scene Experience: Familiarity with popular fighting games, including characters, stages, and rulesets. Prior experience acting as a tournament organizer (TO), bracket runner, competitive judge, or high-level player within the competitive gaming or esports scenes
• Live Streaming & Production Knowledge: Basic understanding of streaming software (like OBS), video capture cards, or production setups used to broadcast tournament matches
• Conflict Resolution & Firm De-escalation: Exceptional diplomacy and thick skin to manage intense competitive energy, resolve rule disputes, and keep emotional competitors grounded and respectful

While this is an unpaid volunteer position, we provide:

• Free convention membership and staff perks
• Staff hospitality (meals/snacks during your shifts at-con)
• Exclusive staff events and social opportunities
• Recognition in convention materials
• Experience in event management and team leadership
• A supportive, creative community environment
• References and recommendation letters upon request

Anthro SoCal is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, experiences, and skill levels. All volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.