The Team Lead Certification

After receiving confirmation from the Advanced Certification Lead (ACL) of the event, the candidate will be in charge of executing all responsibilities and tasks required of the team lead position they have been assigned. As part of the ACL’s coordination activity, a Team Lead Evaluator (TLE) will be assigned to the candidate to conduct the evaluation process.

Team Lead Evaluators (TLE)

Team Lead Evaluators (TLE) are individuals who have the responsibility of evaluating candidates seeking their Team Lead Certification (TLC). In general, TLEs are a qualified group of individuals composed of Premier Events Head Judges / Support Judges and subject-matter experts with the trusted responsibility of performing team lead evaluations. 

Assigned TLEs will be positioned on the candidate’s team on the event day and will work the event as normal (e.g. execute assigned tasks) while observing the candidate in their team lead role. The TLE is not an advisor to the team lead in this position and will not intervene in the candidate’s team lead responsibilities.

To facilitate the process, the candidate must include the TLE in all event-related communications (e.g. pre-event planning, head judge, intra-team and cross-team communications). This is to ensure that the TLE has as much exposure as possible to the activities the candidate is performing while in their team lead position. While the evaluation is ongoing, the TLE may reach out to other members of the event’s judge staff for additional insight necessary to complete the evaluation. 

To become a Team Lead Evaluator, judges must meet the following requirements:

1. Any judge with the Premier Event HJ or SJ certification can request being a TLE.
2. Any judge holding the TLC and meeting the following criteria can request an interview to become TLE
   1. Experience leading the following teams: EoR, Floor, DC, Pairings, Features and Breaks at least once.  This can be in other games that use the same team structure as FaB.
   2. Experience leading teams of 3+ members ten (10) times. This can be in other games that use the same team structure as FaB.
   3. Experience Head Judging (not Support Judging) an event with 3+ teams, twice. This can be in other games that use the same team structure as FaB.

Once a judge meets the above criteria, they must pass an interview with two of the following persons to become a TLE: Judge Manager; Advanced Certification Lead, or TLC Lead. To schedule that interview, please email the Advanced Certification Lead. Include evidence of your experience listed above.

Evaluation Criteria

To conduct their evaluations, Team Lead Evaluators (TLE) will be observing the candidate during their time in the team lead role, looking for their performance in the following set of evaluation criteria. During the evaluation, TLEs will evaluate, at minimum, the candidate’s ability to:

• Direct their assigned team to perform their tasks and responsibilities correctly.
  This includes describing the team’s tasks for the event and the expectations for execution. How tasks are assigned and delegated will be considered here in addition to any pre-event communication about the tasks.
• Verify that the assigned tasks are completed to the Head Judge’s specification, making corrections and adjustments as necessary.
  This includes how frequent the task verification is done. If adjustments/corrections need to be made, the manner in which the feedback was given will be taken into consideration. The expectation is that the team lead will be professional and cordial in their conduct while investigating issues on their team and/or explaining any necessary adjustments/corrections to task execution.
• Coordinate with other team leads on any team tasks.
  This would include making sure information that requires dissemination is given to other leads. Examples may include ensuring who to go to for End of Round procedure, properly transitioning tasks and information to the breaks team, etc. 
• Ensure team tasks are completed in a manner that does not negatively affect tournament operations and its participants.
  Executing tasks should not negatively impede tournament processes and its participants.
• Handle unexpected and unforeseen situations appropriately.
  Adapting to unexpected, unplanned situations may be required. How the candidate responds when confronted with these situations will be evaluated.
• Handle stress and difficult situations as they arise.
  How the candidate responds when confronted to stress-inducing and/or difficult situations during their time as a team lead will be evaluated.
• Provide education and feedback for team members in a diplomatic and insightful manner.
  Team leads often act in a mentorship role, providing new opportunities for upskilling and learning. The candidate will be evaluated on their ability to facilitate these opportunities.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with the Head Judge at reasonable times.
  All pre-event and at-event communication will be considered during this evaluation. Team leads will often be the individuals to relay event-related communication and updates between the judge staff and head judge. The timing and presence of mind of communicating updates and information to the Head Judge will be considered.
• Engage their team to promote focus, build team morale and team collaboration.
  Team leads can often serve as a boost of energy or inspiration for their team members. How leads engage with their team to build focus, morale and collaboration without negatively impacting the event will be considered.
• Provide proper guidance and advice to their team members.
  Team Leads must know the rules, policies and procedure well enough to guide their teams through the event and mentor them.