How to hire a basketball referee

How to hire a basketball referee, step by step

Here's a step-by-step basketball referee hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a basketball referee job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new basketball referee
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your basketball referee job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a basketball referee for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect basketball referee also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of basketball referees and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Basketball Referee	Description	Hourly rate
   Basketball Referee	Umpires, referees, and other sports officials preside over competitive athletic or sporting events to help maintain standards of play. They detect infractions and decide penalties according to the rules of the game.	$11-28
   Referee	A referee is a sports official who is responsible for officiating games, sports events, or competitions. They must ensure that game rules are being followed by all players and make calls when these rules are broken... Show more	$12-61
   Basketball Coach	A basketball coach is responsible for training players for school or basketball tournament leagues. A basketball coach prepares the players by providing them game techniques, developing their maximum potential through a series of practice and games... Show more	$13-32

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CPR
   • Role Model
   • Girls Basketball
   • Leadership
   • League Rules
   • Soccer
   • Grade Boys
   • Game Rules
   • Safety Regulations
   • RAN
   • Basketball Rules
   • Youth Basketball League
   • Pressure Situations
   • Flag Football

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage conflicts and resolutions between other umpires and coaches/parents.
   • Officiate adult slow pitch softball- in accordance with official ASA guidelines.
   • Gain a strong sense of patience, leadership, communication and decision making skills.
   • Umpire multiple championship games under intense pressure from the leagues, parents and coaches.
   • Show effort and are raised from field umpire to plate umpire for championship games.
   • Motivate and encourage youths' individual progress with an emphasis on promoting teamwork and strategic development.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your basketball referee job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A basketball referee salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, basketball referees' average salary in utah is 48% less than in virginia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level basketball referees earn 62% less than senior-level basketball referees.
   • Certifications. A basketball referee with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a basketball referee's salary.

   Average basketball referee salary

   $37,546yearly

   $18.05 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level basketball referee salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a basketball referee job description

   A basketball referee job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a basketball referee job description:

   Basketball referee job description example

   Minimum 16 years of age with some basketball experience as a player or official. Must have knowledge of basketball rules. Must be comfortable working with adult coaches, parents, and spectators.

   ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

   1. Arrive on time for all games when assigned.
   2. Wear appropriate uniform as required to support position as a referee.
   3. Appropriately use a whistle during games.
   4. Make calls that are consistent and correct with the rules of basketball.
   5. Move about the court to keep up with play to make appropriate calls.
   6. Cooperate with other staff and work well with other referees.
   7. Demonstrate that Safe, Fair, and Fun are priorities.
   8. Provide a high quality of customer service in a professional manner to the internal customer that will facilitate team building and exceptional customer service to the external customer.
   9. Follow the Wheaton Park District policies, procedures, and guidelines.
   10. Proactively support the V.A.L.U.E.S. (integrity, fun, commitment, adaptability and growth, kindness, and service) on a daily basis.
   11. Organize, live, demonstrate, and implement the Character Counts program for coaches and parents.
   12. Maintain good safety awareness and follow all safety guidelines and procedures.

   REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, ETC.

   Must have and maintain: CPR/AED certified or obtain within one (1) year of employment. Be a “Mandated Reporter” for the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

   PHYSICAL DEMANDS

   Must be able to: continuously move about the courts for long periods of time while keeping up with the games while in play to make appropriate calls; frequently move various sports equipment weighing up to 10 lbs. and position one’s self to see plays

   ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS

   Must be able to: frequently work indoors and experience varying ranges of lighting and temperatures in the building.

   SALARY

   $12.00 - $15.00 per hour DOE

   HOURS

   3 - 5 hours per week

   Friday nights and Saturday (hours vary)

   Seasonal Position (Fall, Winter, Summer)

   The Wheaton Park District is an equal opportunity employer. EOE/M/F/D/V

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right basketball referee for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your basketball referee job on Zippia to find and recruit basketball referee candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit basketball referees, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new basketball referee

   Once you've decided on a perfect basketball referee candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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