Are your pre-teens and teens anxious to earn extra cash while gaining athletic experience?
I know for my 13-year-old, umpiring baseball is very motivating for him to get off the couch and do something constructive. Besides baby-sitting, dog-sitting and yard work, pre-teens don’t have a lot of opportunities to make money. Finding a sports-related job is the perfect opportunity for them to bring home a little bacon while staying active and healthy.
If you are looking for some great opportunities for your kids, check these out!
Umpire
Via The Washington Times.
Depending on your local baseball league, umpires can be as young as 13. If you want to become an official Little League Umpire, you need to register here. Check with your local baseball league to learn more about becoming an umpire.
Most leagues will put candidates into a short training program. This is to ensure the proper knowledge level is reached and all rules and codes of conduct are acknowledged. Background checks are also a necessity to participate.
Average hourly wage: $12–$31
Typical responsibilities:
- Officiating little league baseball games
- Continuous observation of game play
- Making necessary judgement calls during game play
- Enforcing game, league, and park rules
- Communicating/reviewing rules with coaches
- Resolving complaints from teams, players, and coaches
- Inspecting equipment when necessary to make sure it falls within the guidelines of play
- Regulating game time
Referee: Soccer, Basketball, Football
Each of these sports have different age requirements to be a referee. You will need to check with your local league to find out how to begin. You can find detailed information on how youth can become a soccer referee here.
Many of the requirements to be an umpire also apply here. Again, most leagues will put candidates into a short training program or orientation. For example, US Soccer puts candidates through a requirements certification.
Background checks will more than likely be a formality that happens before any hiring takes place. Fun fact: Some leagues allow referees to be as young as 13 or 14.
Average hourly wage: $11–$29
Typical responsibilities:
- Officiating game play
- Continuous observation of game play
- Making necessary judgement calls during game play
- Enforcing game and league rules
- Communicating/reviewing rules with coaches
- Resolving complaints from teams, players, and coaches
- Sanctioning players with red/yellow cards and enforcing consequences
- Providing game report to league
- Inspecting equipment when necessary to make sure it falls within the guidelines of play
- Regulating game time
Camp Counselor
Via Camp Leaders.
Many camps exist nationwide, and they must all be staffed with counselors. Your pre-teen/teen can likely find a camp that is of interest to them.
Usually the park district or local high school will offer camps for specific sports, like soccer, baseball, swimming, lacrosse, tennis, volleyball, or others. If your teen/pre-teen already is active in one of the previously mentioned sports, they have an even better chance of getting hired!
Camp counselor positions are usually for older teens or even college students, as High School diplomas are a common requirement. Becoming AED and CPR certified and participating in first aid training is a necessity as well as providing a background check. Specific camps may also have their own unique requirements for counsellors.
Average hourly wage: $11
Typical responsibilities:
- Planning and implementing camper activities and camp events
- Mentoring campers throughout all phases of the camp season
- Ensuring safety of all campers
- Participating and teaching a wide-range of indoor and outdoor activities
- Communicating effectively with campers, families, and fellow staff
- Continuous monitoring of campers and enforcing rules/regulation of camp life and equipment
Lifeguard / Swim Teacher
Once a teen hits age 15, they are of age to become a lifeguard. They will want to plan ahead to get their certification during the winter months so that they can apply for summer jobs in the spring. It is also possible to work year-round if a local pool is indoors.
Find out how to become a Red Cross Certified LifeGuard here. If you are interested in becoming a swim teacher, you can also check with your local swim club or high school to find out about available opportunities.
When it comes to becoming a lifeguard or swim teacher, training is a necessity as well as CPR certification. The pool, camp, or club you interview at will require you to do these things (as well as any specific orientations required by their particular facility).
Average hourly wage: $11-12
Typical responsibilities:
- Supervising the safety and health of swimmers
- Enforcing rules and regulation of the pool(s)
- Controlling unruly or dangerous behavior
- Recognizing signs of danger
- Watching and stay alert for possible accidents
- Performing water rescues if necessary
After-School Programs
Via Camp Leaders.
Many towns have local organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Club or YMCA, which offer after-school recreational activities and sports. These are also great opportunities for your kids to find jobs related to sports that interest them.
A lot of children’s programs may require CPR and first aid certification. More advanced jobs in these environments may also require experience in school learning environments, and possibly even a teaching certificate—but many entry-level positions are open to high-school-aged kids.
Average hourly wage: Volunteer–$11
Typical responsibilities:
- Creating, planning, and implementing educational activities
- Organizing games and recreational activities
- Caring for children of a variety of ages
- Preparing and serving food/snacks/drinks
- Supervising and monitoring children at all times
- Monitoring and helping with hygiene needs
Assistant Coach
Although this may not be a paid position, many coaches are in need of extra help on the field. If you contact your local sports league (baseball, soccer, football, etc.), you can inquire about becoming an assistant coach. This is a great opportunity to gain experience, work with an adult, and have an impact on the lives of some youngsters.
Requirements for assistant coaching usually come down to basic knowledge and know-how. It also helps if your kid has some experience (and success) within the sport. These positions can be great jobs for teens, as they often help build their communication and professional skills.
Average hourly wage: Volunteer–$20
Typical responsibilities:
- Attending and coordinating practices and games
- Helping to create practice and game plans
- Training and advising young athletes in their workouts and game play
- Overseeing proper use, safety, and storage or equipment
- Helping to maintain proper team records
Concession Stand Worker
Via The Balance.
This is not exactly a “sports” job—if you work at a concession stand, you’ll at least be in the ballpark (probably literally). Sports arena concession stands can be fun environments, and they offer great opportunities for pre-teens to work and be close to the action!
There isn’t really any training or certification required here. You just need to make sure you have some basic math skills or know how to use a calculator properly to make the correct change.
Average hourly wage: Volunteer–$12
Typical responsibilities:
- Food preparation and service
- Managing and collecting money as well as tender change
- Managing and using a cash register or square device
- Cleaning concessions and equipment properly
- Organizing supplies and items from food vendors
- Selling food, drinks, and some souvenirs/memorabilia
Sports Equipment Store
This is a job for kids ages 16 and up. If you love sports, working in a sporting goods store is a fun environment and perfect for those who love to interact with others.
A bonus to working in a sports equipment store is that it is very typical for a store to offer an employee discount. This can be extremely helpful if you play sports, since you can save money on your clothing, shoes and equipment.
Again, this is another job where no certification is normally required—aside from proper training or orientation for the specific role your child will be filling.
Average hourly wage: $10–11
Typical responsibilities:
- Managing and collecting money as well as tender change
- Managing and using a cash register or square device
- Checking and restocking merchandise
- Organizing and displaying merchandise
- Having general knowledge of merchandise sold in the store
- Advising customers to make the proper purchase
- Displaying satisfactory customer service skills
Stadiums, Race Tracks, Athletic Venues
Depending on where you live, if you have a local stadium, race track, or athletic venue, there are numerous jobs available: ticket sellers, brand promoters, cleaning crew members, ushers, and others.
There are typically no specific certifications one would need in this space either—it all really depends on where you end up at the venue and what you need to learn to do the job successfully. Most positions will put you through quick training sessions and give you some hands-on learning.
Average hourly wage: $10–11
Typical responsibilities:
- Managing and collecting money as well as tender change
- Managing and using a cash register or square device
- Food preparation and service
- Displaying satisfactory customer service skills
- Having general knowledge of the venue and its regulations
Grounds Crew
Via FEN Learning.
Many school districts and park districts will hire teens in the summer to help with the grounds maintenance. Usually, this includes mowing the grounds and assisting on athletic fields for the school or town. Although this is not a direct “sports job”, it still allows teens to take pride in helping with the upkeep of the fields they play on!
Finally, this is another job that won’t usually require any extra classes or certifications—however, it’s likely to be quite a “hands-on” learning experience!
Average hourly wage: $12–13
Typical responsibilities:
- Landscaping common areas
- Mowing lawns, trimming hedges/bushes, weed-whacking
- Installing sprinkler or irrigation systems
- Tending to greenery, plans, and flowers
- Cleaning and preparing outdoor furnitation or entertainment areas
- General cultivation and care of all outdoor grounds
Want to keep your kids clean when they go to that first job interview? Check out our 10 Laundry Hacks Perfect for Sports Moms.
