Race Volunteer Position Descriptions

I takes a big effort with a lot of volunteers to put on a ski race. Take a look to see the volunteer positions that will needed on race day.  Some require a season long commitment, while others can be a one time commitment. 

To learn more please contact the SPAC Volunteer Coordinator ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ). 

SPAC Volunteer Position Descriptions

Chief of Race:  is both a member of the Organizing Committee and the competition Jury. This official directs all preparation for the competition and supervises the activities in the technical area.  The Chief of Race summons meetings for consideration of technical questions and leads the Team Captains' Meetings after consultation with the Technical Delegate. 

Chief of Course: must be familiar with local snow conditions on the concerned terrain and is responsible for the preparation of the courses in accordance with the directives and decisions of the Jury. The Chief of Course supervises course maintenance during the race and supervises all clean-up operations.  Due to the rapidly changing nature of the sport, the sport’s snow preparation requirements as well as the requirements involved in the choice and placement of on-hill protection/security measures, the duties of Chief of Course are best learned through mentorship and on-hill training with an experienced Chief of Course. 

Course Maintenance:  Assists with race course surface preparation and maintenance.  Involves side slipping, both individually and as a group.  May use snow rakes and shovels.  Once the race starts, you may be assigned to monitor and repair a specific part of the course or work as a team as instructed by the Chief of Course.   

Course Setup and Teardown:  This is an early morning and late afternoon position and requires several volunteers.  These volunteers set up the race arena ribbon, start area, banners, and provide assistance to the Chief of Race and Chief of Course as needed.    

Chief Gate Judge:  Organizes and supervises the work of the Gate Judges. This official must make sure that the numbering and, depending on the decision of the Jury, the marking of the gates’ placement is done within the required time. The Chief Gate Judge distributes required materials such as Gate Judge cards, pencils etc. The Chief Gate Judge also instructs the Gate Judges in their duties, designates the gate(s) each Gate Judge will supervise and places each Gate Judge in position. The Chief Gate Judge collects and delivers Gate Judge cards to the Referee at the end of each run and must be prepared to offer assistance either to help keep spectators off the course or to help maintain the course. 

Gate Judge:  The gate judge is responsible for describing any missed gates for the specific gates assigned.  It requires watching every racer, and only when an assigned gate is missed, drawing a very simple example of what happened. A DVD describing gate judging responsibilities will be reviewed the morning of the race. The morning of the race, the head gate judge will assign gates, give out clipboard packages and let you know when you need to be at your respective gates.  If you're planning on working a race as a Gate Judge, please check out the  Gate Judge Video 

Chief of Timing and Calculations:  is responsible for coordinating all timing officials as well as other officials at the start and finish, for deciding the interval between Slalom starts in agreement with the Jury, assuring the synchronization and accuracy of the timing and the accuracy of the Official Results.  The Chief of Timing and Calculations is responsible for supervising, documenting and enforcing the quality control of actual timing and official results. With the exception of lower-level non-scored events, (i.e. YSL), where staffing issues may require it, the Chief of Timing and Calculations is not intended to be the individual operating the electronic timing equipment or the timing/race result software. 

Start Referee:  This person serves as “eyes of the Jury” during the course inspection, training and the race but are not members of the Jury. The term “Jury Advisor” is a USSA term used to recognize two officials who are an integral part of the competition.  This position also may require setup of the start area, including start gate. 

Starter:  The Starter is on headset at the top of the course with the timing shack, and gives the actual countdown or signal for each racer to start.  The Starter may also be asked to act as Start Referee. 

Assistant Starter:  The assistant starter calls the competitors to the start in their start order and assists in getting the racers lined up and into the start area.  Depending on the number of racers, there may be two assistant starters.  This position is often swapped with the starter between runs. 

Finish Referee (including setup of finish area):  Sets up the finish area timing equipment and coordinates with the timing shack to ensure timing is functioning properly.  During the race, records every racer crossing the finish line.  This person serves as “eyes of the Jury” during the course inspection, training and the race but are not members of the Jury. The term “Jury Advisor” is a USSA term used to recognize two officials who are an integral part of the competition. 

Manual/Hand Timekeeper and Manual/Hand Time Recorder (Time of Day):  These individuals record all starts/finishes for use in the case of an electrical timing malfunction.  One person runs a stopwatch, while the other records the time.  Two people are stationed at the start and two at the finish.  The Chief of Timing & Calc will give specific instructions. 

Midway Clearer: These people will have radios and will be in contact with the starter to let him/her know when each racer has passed by their position.  This position is not required at all races.  

 Off Hill Positions: 

Race Administrator:  is responsible for all secretarial work dealing with the technical aspects of the competition. This official is responsible for preparation of the Draw, accuracy of Start Lists, Official Results, minutes of Team Captains' and Jury meetings, preparation of forms required by Timing and Gate Judging crews, receiving official Protests and publishing and duplicating Official Results in a timely manner. 

Registration:  Registration volunteers are stationed at the Pacific Crest lodge the morning of the first race day and hand out bibs to racers after verifying that they have paid all necessary fees.  The Race Administrator will give specific instructions. 

Electronic Time Operator(s):  Is on headset with the starter and runs the electronic timing equipment in the finish shack.  Ensures timing equipment is working properly during the race.  

Public Address Operator:  This person stays in the finish shack and announces the racers name and times as they cross the finish. 

Scoreboard Recorders:  Two people typically share this position.  Before the race begins, this person fills in the score sheets with the racers name and bib. One the race beings he/she stands at the scoreboard and records each racer’s time as the PA Operator announces it.  The scoreboard writer is also responsible for getting the score sheets mounted onto the scoreboard.    

Bib Collector and Washer:  (typically worked in addition to another position)  Need to be at the finish after the first and second runs on the last race.  Also needs to coordinate collection of bibs left at finish by racers competing on the first day only.  Collect bibs into a garbage bag from anyone who did not finish the first run and from all the rest of the racers who finish the second run.  Take bibs home, wash them if needed, stack them in numerical order, let the Race Administrator know which numbers are missing and then get the bibs back to the Race Administrator before the next race and/or before the end of the season.