Behind the Schedule

Submitting availability – the season is starting soon!

With the start of a new season upon us, we wanted to send out reminders on how you get assigned games as officials and some tips for submitting availability.

There are two ways to get games: (1) submitting availability for Regular Assigning and (2) requesting assignment to Open Games.

The best way to get games, especially for young and new officials, is to Submit Regular Availability. This gives the Scheduler the best opportunity to assign you to games with an appropriate partner. Scheduling typically 2 ½ weeks prior to the week being scheduled. Scheduling dates are listed on the homepage of the DCHOA Scheduling website. Some tips when submitting availability:

• Submitting availability for a 1 or 2 hour block is generally not useful. We assign games in blocks to maximize the use of our officials and having a longer block of availability will increase our ability to get you games.
• Submit availability when the games are. During the season there are generally no youth games on weeknights. Most games are during the day on Saturdays and Sundays, but Sunday does not typically have as many as Saturday. There are generally very few games either weekend evening.
• Read the instructions at the top of the availability page. The mechanics of the submitting availability are outlined there.
• Use the comments box appropriately. This is not a place to request games, changing submitted availability or sending messages to the scheduler.

Open Games

The other way to get games is by requesting them from the Open Games. Emails are regularly sent out with currently available open games. A few reminders when requesting a game from the Open Games report:

• When you go to the Open Games page, there is a list of your pending requests. Do not request a game if you already have a pending request for that game. If you need to remove a pending request for a game, you can do so by clicking on it in the list of your pending requests.
• You may request games at the same time at different rinks. The Scheduler will sort that out to avoid double booking.
• Request games you are eligible to work. There is a table of required certifications for the different age levels. Also remember, if you are under 18 or still in high school, you may only officiate games at a lower age level than your current age.
• All requests are either granted or denied and you will be notified via email of the decision. For various reasons, it may take time for an open game to be filled.
• Open Games are not filled on a first come basis. We prioritize ensuring games are officiated by appropriate officiating crews.

Additional information on updating your officiating profile, checking your schedule, updating your calendar from the website, and more is posted on both the Education website and the Scheduling website.

If you have any questions about getting games or submitting availability, reach out to me at scheduler@dchoa.org.

Larry Carrington
DCHOA Scheduler