Question 1

Jump Setters (bar tenders)

Accepted Answer

These are the folks who sit in a chair in the ring with the dogs. You can bring water in with you, but no food.  We prefer adults for this job, although teenagers make good jump setters too. If the volunteer is under 13, talk to the trial chair - younger children need to have a responsible adult work with them. Your job is to make sure all the obstacles are set to the correct height, and if a dog drops a bar, you need to wait until the dog is done running and then run out and re-set the bar.  Short bursts of jogging required. Jumpers with weaves classes are easier for a beginner, Standard classes require knowledge of the equipment. Please do not stare at the dog when it is running near you or towards you, and if the dog comes to visit you, cross your arms, look away and pretend to ignore him.

Question 2

Leash Runner

Accepted Answer

The leash runner stands patiently inside the in gate, near the dog.  Once the dog and handler have started the course, and they are moving away from the in gate, the leash runner gathers the leash and walks to the exit gate (staying inside the ring), and places the leash on the designated chair.  It is very important to watch the dog.  Many dogs will want that leash that's in your hand! Keep it bunched up and not visible to the dog.  Also, NEVER run with the leash in a way that the dog will want to chase you and be distracted from his job.  Your goal is to get the leash to the exit, and leave it there while you walk back in time for the next dog to start.  This job requires walking, bending and carrying a leash.

Question 3

Scribe runner

Accepted Answer

The scribe runner stands near the scribe table and waits for a few runs, then grabs several scoresheets and takes them to the trial secretary's table.  Then returns to the scribe table for a few more scoresheets.  This job requires some exercise, and standing/moving throughout the class.

Question 4

Gate Steward

Accepted Answer

If you have a loud voice, and you want to meet people, this is the job for you!  The gate steward makes sure dog/handler teams are lined up and ready for their runs.  You have to shout in the direction of the crowd -  "THIS IS DASHER!  UP NEXT IS DANCER, PRANCER, DONNER and BLITZEN!"  This job can be seated, or standing.  But you need to make sure you know where the next 4 or 5 dogs are in the warmup area. You need to remind people to go into the ring on time (some linger and delay).  If someone is missing, you need to call out to find them. And if someone doesn't show up on time, you need to make sure the scribe table knows a dog is missing.  You also need to call out "LAST DOG THIS HEIGHT" and "JUMPS TO 12 INCHES, 12 INCHES PLEASE!" when the last dog of a height runs.  The gate steward also checks the entire ring to make certain equipment is set to the correct jump height on all the obstacles.

Question 5

Scribe

Accepted Answer

This is a more difficult and advanced job.  The scribe makes sure all the score sheets are in the correct order for the entire class.  The scribe makes sure the scoresheet matches the name of the dog that enters the ring.  He/she then watches the judge and translates hand signals into letters on the score sheet.  At the end each dog's run, the timer states the time and the scribe writes the time on the score sheet.  The scribe then hands the scoresheet to the scribe runner.  This job is done at the scribe table next to the ring, sitting the entire time.

Question 6

Timer

Accepted Answer

This job requires some experience.  This person makes sure the timers are functioning, and hits the start button when the judge gives a thumbs up.  This makes the electronic timer say "GO."  The timer watches to make sure the timer is running throughout the dog's run and stops at the end (sometimes electronic timers malfunction).  Some classes require timing adjustments between groups of dogs, so this is not for a newbie.  The timer states the dog's time so the scribe can write it on the scoresheet. This job is done at the scribe table outside the ring.  The timer is seated throughout the class.

Question 7

Course builders

Accepted Answer

After the last dog runs in each class, a team of workers needs to move equipment around under the direction of the Chief Course Builder.  The more the merrier!  This job requires a ten minute burst of moving equipment around, sometimes quite heavy.  And if you aren't strong, you can still help - someone needs to put numbers on each obstacle!

Question 8

Trial Chair

Accepted Answer

The Trial Chair is the overall manager of the entire trial.  This job starts many months before the trial, including making sure the judges are lined up and the judges contracts are completed.  The judges will need information on the equipment and the venue, the classes, the class order, etc. The AKC paperwork must be completed, and the premium needs to be reviewed and edited with the Trial Secretary.  The venue needs to be lined up and under contract, and the proof of insurance needs to be provided.  The equipment must be lined up and under contract.  The hotel rooms need to be reserved for the judges, and Salty Dogz contracts with the hotel in order to have a special trial deal, with low cost rooms and pet fees hopefully waived. Before the trial opens, vouchers need to be prepared and provided to the key workers.  As the trial approaches, the Trial Chair orchestrates the volunteers, making sure all the details are communicated and everyone knows their job.  The Trial Chair works with the manager of the facility during the trial - wifi, microphones, trash cans, toilet paper, etc.  The Trial Chair makes sure the ribbons and MACH/PACH bars are available to competitors and if someone earns a MACH or PACH, the trial chair is usually the person who hands it to the competitor after the final obstacle is cleared. If there is an incident with a dog or competitor, the Trial Chair is the primary person in charge of the AKC requirements related to any filed incident report.  The Trial Chair is a key position - and will be given a voucher to be used towards entry fees by the club.

Question 9

Chief Ring Steward

Accepted Answer

A Chief Ring Steward (Volunteer Coordinator) is one of the key positions at an agility trial  - they are responsible for rounding up workers for each class (gate steward, jump setters, timer, scribe, scribe runner). The Chief Ring Steward also calls the course builders to the rings when a class is complete, and announces when the judges are calling competitors to the briefing and walking the course. This role also includes purchasing and managing raffle prizes, and managing the raffles for "NQ's" and for workers.  This role hands out lunch tickets (if being used) to volunteers. This job involves bringing lots of pens/markers, raffle tickets, raffle buckets, and a big sign up sheet for each ring/day of the trial - expenses will be refunded by the club.  This is an all day job, but you only need to step up when the class is in transition or needed to make announcements. If you are running a dog, you can step away from the duties, but you must have a friend ready to step in for you while you are running with your dog.  The club will provide an entry voucher when you take on this role - it's a pretty sweet deal if you want to earn a voucher to be used towards your entry fees!!!  For a 2 ring trial, there will be 2 designated Chief Ring Stewards, and they will work together to make sure the trial runs smoothly.

Question 10

Chief Course Builder

Accepted Answer

A Chief Course Builder is one of the key positions at an agility trial  - they are responsible for building the courses.  Your role is to take the judge's map, lay out the obstacles and tell other workers what to put where.  This does require working knowledge of how to build an agility course and familiarity with the equipment. This role requires being available throughout the trial, including early in the day to set up, and late in the day to set up for the next morning. The CCB works with the venue's ground crew to ensure the dirt gets worked and watered as needed. The CCB also needs to stick around at the end of the trial to make sure the equipment gets carefully put away.  The club will provide an entry voucher when you take on this role that can be used towards your entry fees - it's a pretty sweet deal for those who are willing to work!!!  For a 2 ring trial, there will be at least 2 designated Chief Ring Stewards, and they will work together to make sure the trial runs smoothly.

Question 11

Hospitality

Accepted Answer

Hospitality is a key position at an agility trial.  This role provides coffee and snacks for workers, lunch for workers, and drinks/food for the judges.  All expenses are reimbursed by the club.  This role works most of the day, but much of the effort is around lunchtime.  Usually, this person has helpers to get the job done! For this position, the club will provide a voucher that can be used towards entry fees.

Volunteer Job Descriptions