Certification

Certification and What to Expect

There are 3 main classifications of Association membership:

• Probationary: These are first and second-year officials who are just beginning their officiating journey. Probationary officials have all the rights and responsibilities of membership except that they are unable to vote, hold office, be a member of a high school varsity crew, or wear the certified patch of the SDCFOA. Other than these exceptions, Probationary officials are required to follow all Association policies and procedures..
• Transfer: As the name implies, these are experienced officials who have transferred here from somewhere else. Same 4 restrictions apply.
• Certified: Officials are considered for certification by the Board after a Probationary official completes his/her second year, or first year for Transfer officials.. To be eligible for certification, officials must satisfy all meeting and exam requirements and ratings must show progress as an official. When an official becomes Certified, all Probationary exceptions will be lifted.

Assignments

This year you will start by working 2-3 Youth Football games per week. Toward the end of the season, depending on various factors, you MAY get a Freshman or JV game. All game assignment contracts shall be published on the currently used web-based assignment program on pre-established dates.  Games not accepted within 6 days of the day that they are published will be reassigned to another qualified member.  It is recommended that all members electronically check their schedules daily in case of games changes or cancellations, site or time changes, etc.  Members’ telephone answering devices and e-mail should be also be monitored on a daily basis for any changes transmitted telephonic-ally or electronically.

We assure you that assignments are made as fairly as possible based on a variety of factors such as the official’s skill level and geography. You will make friends by accepting all assignments you receive (even if the game is in Fallbrook and you live in Imperial Beach).

If after an assignment meeting you find you cannot work a game, call the appropriate Assignment Secretary ASAP. DO NOT try to reassign the game yourself. Also, DO NOT accept an assignment from another official.

Keep your availability open for the end of November and early December. We use Probationary officials as chain crew members for semi-final and final playoff games. The finals for 3 divisions are played in Qualcomm Stadium.

How Do I Get Paid?

• Youth Football: Most sites ask that you sign in before your first game. Go back at half-time of your last game for payment. Some pay by check and some pay in cash. For most leagues, if you get a check, cash it as soon as possible.
• High School: Some pay by check on the field but most have you sign a chit and you receive a check from the financial secretary of the school within two weeks.

Ratings

We have two types of ratings for Probationary and Transfer officials. For each game you work you will be rated by the Crew Chief, on a 1-7 scale along with comments on your uniform, attitude, mechanics, rules knowledge etc. Those ratings are submitted at the end of the year to the Ratings Chairman and he compiles a numerical list which is submitted to the Board. You will be rated against your own class only since your experience and skill level is limited. Next year in April or May you can call, e-mail or write the Ratings Chairman or if on a crew your Crew Chief to find out what your rating was and where you stand in the class.

In addition to those ratings, you will receive a Game Evaluation Card. At the end of each game you work or the end of the day after multiple games, the Referee will sit down with you and give you a verbal and written critique of that day’s game(s). Please fill out the upper portion of the form prior to giving it to the Referee. You will be given the white copy to take back to your instructors and the Referee will give the yellow copy to the appropriate Assignment Secretary.