Technical Specialist - US Figure Skating

Technical SpecialistBasic information, Function description, Criteria for selectionThe Technical Specialist is one of the key positions in the new judging system, responsible foridentifying the executed elements and the level of such elements if applicable. The TechnicalSpecialist will be responsible to the ISU during the event and has to follow the guidelines of ethics andfair play as laid out in the ISU and IOC Rules.The Technical Specialist will be directly responsible during the event to the Technical Controller andduring non-event times to the ISU Representative and/or the ISU Event Coordinator.For ISU Events, i.e. ISU Championships, ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating (senior and junior) as wellas the Olympic Winter Games and the Qualifying Competition for the Olympic Winter Games, theTechnical Specialists will be appointed by the ISU President from the official ISU list.For all other International Competitions, the Technical Specialists will be appointed by the organizingMember from the official ISU listThe appointed Technical Specialist, Assistant Technical Specialist, Technical Controller and EventReferee of each event of each competition must be from different ISU Members, if possible.A. Basic Information1. have the highest knowledge of Figure Skating (single), Pair Skating, Ice Dancing or SynchronizedSkating with regard to technical aspects;2. must have reached the age of 24 but not the age of 65 in the calendar year of nomination;3. must conduct ice skating activities on a regular basis and be able to demonstrate awareness of andparticipation in the current activities of competitive figure skating as well as maturity levelconsistent with public perception of this position;4. must be a former high level skater (as a minimum at national level)5. must have a good knowledge of spoken English language;6. must possess good communication skills;7. have the ability to conduct themselves professionally at all times;8. must be able to take directions and work within a team environment;9. must have completed an ISU seminar and successfully passed an Examination.04_FunctionDescription_Technical Specialist_2004_07_02 Page 1 of 3

B. Duties of the Technical Specialist1. identifies and calls the performed elements;2. identifies and calls correct Levels of Difficulty of the performed elements;3. identifies illegal elements;4. identifies the innovative element bonus.5. Identifies and deletes additional elements6. A second Technical Specialist (Assistant) and the Technical Controller are positioned adjacent tothe main Technical Specialist.The second Technical Specialist will step in only in case of emergency. His advice, however, isasked in case of discrepancy.7. The calls of the Technical Specialist are supervised and corrected (if necessary) by the TechnicalController, however if both Technical Specialists disagree with corrections, their initial decisionstays.C. Criteria for selection1. The Technical Specialist must have the highest Figure Skating/Pair Skating/Ice Dancingknowledge and work in this sport in some capacity on a weekly basis.2. The Technical Specialist must be a former high levelled skater.3. The Technical Specialist must have an excellent knowledge of spoken English language.4. The Technical Specialist must possess good communication skills.5. The Technical Specialist must be able to take directions and work within a team environment.D. Criteria for Selection to an Event1. The ISU selects the candidates representing Europe, North America and Asia. The appointment tothe various events will be made solely by the ISU President.2. Coaches who are coaching current competitors in a Championships/competition should not act asTechnical Specialists or Data Operator in the same Championships/competition.04_FunctionDescription_Technical Specialist_2004_07_02 Page 2 of 3

E. Training process1. Technical Specialists must attend at least one ISU seminar and must pass the testing process. Theseminars are usually split in a two days training process plus one day testing session.2. The Technical Specialists will receive all existing information and training tools for studyincluding the permanent updates.3. The candidates passing the training process and testing will be considered for the upcoming GrandPrix Season.F. General RemarksThe position of the ISU Technical Specialist holds the responsibility of the highest integrity,knowledge and honesty. There will be a review process after each event of the job of the TechnicalSpecialist. Technical Specialists found to be inconsistent with the rules of the ISU will be removedfrom the list immediately.The appointed Technical Specialist, Assistant Technical Specialist, Technical Controller and EventReferee of each event of each competition must be from different ISU Members, if possible.Technical Specialists are subject to the ISU Code of Ethics.Those Technical Specialists recruited among international Officials cannot act as Referee, Judge orTechnical Controller in ISU sanctioned competitions in the same season in any of the Figure Skatingdisciplines (Single, Pairs, Ice Dancing, Synchronized Skating).Those recruited among Skaters may only be nominated after a minimum of a 2 season waiting periodbetween the end of their competitive skating career and the initial nomination.04_FunctionDescription_Technical Specialist_2004_07_02 Page 3 of 3