Wasteland Weekend could not happen without the help of dedicated, hard-working volunteers. Join our growing volunteer community and help the event grow bigger and better each year. Our volunteers are the backbone of the event and we welcome their input on all aspects of the event. Volunteers get the benefit of free admission, and most positions will receive an exclusive set of Wasteland Weekend 2013 dog tags. Some of the best staff gigs get filled quickly, so browse this list and see how you can contribute. Shift choices will be offered at a later date.
3 steps to apply for a volunteer position:
1. Read our Volunteer Letter to understand the rules and qualifications.
2. Choose a position from the list below.
3. Fill out the online submission form at the very bottom of this page.
(Scroll down for detailed job descriptions)
A. POSITIONS WHICH REQUIRE YOU TO WORK THE EVENT AND WORK IN THE MONTHS LEADING UP:
1. Vendor Coordinator
2. Assistant Entertainment Director
3. DJ Coordinator
4. Game & Contest Coordinator
5. Assistant Game & Contest Coordinator
6. Guest Relations Director
7. Tribe Coordinator
B. POSITIONS WHICH ONLY REQUIRE YOU TO WORK IN THE MONTHS LEADING UP TO THE EVENT (YOU DO NOT NEED TO ATTEND THE EVENT, BUT YOU WILL GET FREE ADMISSION ONCE IT IS EARNED):
1. Set Construction Crew (ALWAYS LOOKING)
2. Sponsor Coordinator
3. Pick up/Delivery Drivers (Wasteland Transportation Network) (ALWAYS LOOKING)
4. Temporary Storage Providers (Wasteland Transportation Network) (ALWAYS LOOKING)
C. POSITIONS WHICH REQUIRE EVENT ATTENDANCE (WITH LITTLE TO NO SIGNIFICANT TIME BEFORE THE WEEK OF THE EVENT).
1. Command Center Supervisor
2. Gofers/Assistants
3. Rations Volunteer
4. Errand Runner (Vehicle Owner)
5. On-site Build Crew
6. Clean-up Crew
7. Boundary Manager
8. Boundary Crew
9. Check-In Station Manager
10. Check-In Station Attendant
11. Parking Attendants
12. Stage Manager
13. Assistant Stage Manager
14. Roadie
15. Sound Engineer
16. Stage Lighting Technicians
17. Video Projections Artist (Stage)
18. Film Festival Video Projectionist
19. Generator Manager
20. Generator Volunteers
21. Atomic Cafe Manager
22. Atomic Cafe Servers
23. Gift Shop Sales Clerk
24. Info Booth Attendants
25. Body Shop (Beauty Parlor) Manager
26. Body Shop (Beauty Parlor) Make-up Artist & Hair Stylist
27. EMT/Paramedic
28. Security Volunteers
29. Pyrotechnician (CA licensed)
POSITION JOB DESCRIPTIONS
A. POSITIONS WHICH REQUIRE YOU TO WORK THE EVENT AND WORK IN THE MONTHS LEADING UP:
1. Vendor Coordinator
Work with Karol, the event’s executive director, to maintain a Google spreadsheet with vendor information. Routinely communicate with vendors and answer their questions. Work with Adam, the event designer, to guide vendors into their correct spots at the event. Must have excellent customer service, and must be organized.
2. Assistant Entertainment Director
Assist Entertainment Director with booking of performers and the entertainment schedule, or as needed. Must be focused and reliable. Live event planning/coordination or other applicable entertainment industry experience preferred.
3. DJ Coordinator
Follow up with DJs and confirm booking, as well as equipment/stage expectations and needs. Work with the entertainment director during the event to help locate DJs before their scheduled sets.
4. Game & Contest Coordinator
Plan, create, and set-up games and contests. Coordinate prizes.
5. Assistant Game & Contest Coordinator
Plan and host games and contests. Coordinate prizes.
6. Guest Relations Director
Work closely with the entertainment director to oversee the info booth, trading post, the Body Shop (our beauty parlor) and other areas.
7. Tribe Coordinator
Work with Adam, the event designer, to maintain a Google spreadsheet with tribe information. Routinely communicate with tribes and guide tribes into their correct spots at the event. Must have excellent customer service, and must be organized.
B. POSITIONS WHICH ONLY REQUIRE YOU TO WORK IN THE MONTHS LEADING UP TO THE EVENT (YOU DO NOT NEED TO ATTEND THE EVENT, BUT YOU WILL GET FREE ADMISSION ONCE IT IS EARNED):
1. Set Construction Crew
Travel to Hesperia, California to help fabricate and finish structures. Welding skills a plus, but not necessary. Work may include grinding, sanding, heavy lifting, drilling, painting, bolting and welding, as well as help with preparing BBQ (grilled) food and playing with Blue Heeler puppies. Work is usually on weekends and Thursdays, but there is the possibility of also working around your availability.
2. Sponsor Coordinator
Work with the founders of Wasteland Weekend to create and send out sponsorship packages. Contact potential sponsors. Help negotiate partnerships with sponsors. You do not need to be local, but you should be experienced with getting sponsors.
3. Pick up/Delivery Drivers (Wasteland Transportation Network)
Pick up items (from donors or sellers) in your general area, as requested. Mileage will go towards your volunteer status, or will be compensated per a standard, predetermined amount. The greatest need will be in the Southern California region, but we will gladly take submissions from vehicle owners in Northern California, the Las Vegas area, and Arizona.
4. Temporary Storage Providers (Wasteland Transportation Network)
Store various items (of potentially all types and sizes) for later transport to the event site or another facility. Both outdoor and indoor storage needed. The greatest need will be in the Southern California region, but we will gladly take submissions from Northern California, the Las Vegas area, and Arizona. Note: Storage locations in California City and Hesperia are not needed at this time.
C. POSITIONS WHICH REQUIRE EVENT ATTENDANCE (WITH LITTLE TO NO SIGNIFICANT TIME BEFORE THE WEEK OF THE EVENT).
1. Command Center Supervisor
Remain in Command Center RV at virtually all times as event point-of-contact and dispatcher. Check out radios and monitor radio traffic. Manage public announcement system and text announcements. Utilize computer, internet and printer as needed. Must be responsible, have excellent written and oral communication skills, and be able to multi-task. This is an office-type job with a lot of responsibility and will require you to learn how the event operates in a relatively short amount of time. Must be able to serve from Thursday morning to Saturday night, at a minimum.
2. Gofers/Assistants
Stay at the command center at all times during your shift. Run errands. May include occasional heavy lifting, carrying and working with your hands. Must serve at least one 8-hour shift. (This position may be a great way to learn all the ins and outs of Wasteland Weekend to prepare for filling one of the senior staff positions at a future event. If this “intern” aspect is what you are looking for, please leave a comment when you fill out the form below.)
3. Rations Volunteer
Walk between volunteer stations to distribute water, drinks and snacks to volunteers. This is a shifted, daylight and/or night time position requiring a total of 8 hours.
4. Errand Runners
Own a dependable vehicle with moderate carrying capacity (must be able to load up with bags of ice, crates of water bottles, fuel cans, etc). You will be on stand-by to make runs into town (approximately one run every day). You will be a designated driver – you must not drink alcohol or otherwise become unfit for driving. Must be available and sober from Thursday morning to Saturday night.
5. On-site Build Crew
Assembles and erects major set pieces (stage, gates, various counters, shelters and structures). Must be able to arrive days before the event and work hard until the job is done.
6. Clean-up Crew
Clean-up is always an underestimated and forgotten aspect of any event. Clean-up work consists of picking up trash, disassembling, lifting, carrying, organizing, packing, loading, and then unloading, organizing and storage of set pieces, props, costumes and equipment. Clean-up crew members must purchase tickets and leave a state-issued driver’s license or ID with the volunteer director. Once it has been established that you have satisfactorily performed your duties, your ID will be returned and a request for a refund will be submitted on your behalf. We feel we can only require you to stay until sunset on Monday night following the event, but please note: clean-up activities will likely persist until the Wednesday after the event. Senior staff will very much appreciate it if you can stay until the clean-up is completely finished.
7. Boundary Manager
Oversee the erection of perimeter fencing and signage using a site map and pre-laid marker flags. Must be good at delegating and directing volunteers. Must be able to arrive days before the event and work until the job is done.
8. Boundary Crew
Set-up of perimeter fencing and signage. Work consists of using post drivers, sledgehammers and staplers, as well as working with rope, boundary tape and safety fencing. Must be able to arrive days before the event and work until the job is done.
9. Check-In Station Manager
Oversees the operations of the check-in station (main gate). Ensures all paperwork is filled out properly and filed.
10. Check-In Station Attendants
Greets and checks all individuals into event. Checks IDs and cross-checks with attendee lists. Distributes waivers and verifies for legible and correct submission of information. Applies wristbands. Explains layout of event site. Refers attendees to parking attendants. Must serve at least one 8-hour shift.
11. Parking Attendants
Directs incoming vehicles to the appropriate camping/parking area. This is a shifted, daylight and/or night time position requiring a total of 8 hours.
12. Stage Manager
Oversees all stage, sound, power, and lighting issues relating to bands, DJs and performers during the entire event. Ensures all performances run smoothly, on time, and consecutively without pauses. Communicates efficiently with senior staff in regards to performances and the timing of intro music, as well as playing Wasteland Radio over the sound system. Understands how precisely-cued music and visuals can enhance the drama and ambiance of the event.
13. Assistant Stage Manager
Assists Stage Manager. See above.
14. Roadie
Sets up and helps clear performers’ musical instruments and equipment on the stage. Ensures all equipment and cables are connected properly. Shifts will take place from approximately 6pm until 2am Thursday – Saturday.
15. Sound Engineer
Oversees the mixing board and assists with audio and PA system issues when needed. Shifts will take place from approximately 6pm until 2am Thursday – Saturday.
16. Stage Lighting Technicians
Sets up and operates lighting. Shifts will take place from approximately 6pm until 2am Thursday – Saturday.
17. Video Projections Artist
Compiles and edits video content for projection at stage during performances. Oversees the set-up and operation of projection every night during the event.
18. Film Festival Video Projectionist
Sets up and operates projector and audio system. Stays at the Film Festival viewing area during the duration of the showings. Shifts will take place from approximately 6pm until 2am Thursday – Saturday.
19. Generator Manager
Oversees power grid and supervises generator volunteers. Assists in troubleshooting generators. On stand-by during the entire event.
20. Generator Volunteers
Refuel generators on a regular schedule. Start or shut-off generators as directed. This is a shifted, daylight and/or night time position requiring a total of 8 hours.
21. Atomic Cafe Manager
Oversee the operations of the bar and supervise the servers. Ensure the bar is secured at the end of your shift. Shifts will take place from approximately 6pm until 2am Thursday – Saturday.
22. Atomic Cafe Servers
Mix donated beverages at our free community bar. Shifts will take place from approximately 6pm until 2am Thursday – Saturday.
23. Trading Post Sales Clerk
Sit at the Wasteland Weekend Trading Post and sell t-shirts, official souvenirs, and more. Document all transactions. Please be aware that you may be expected to work more than one day to minimize the number of volunteers assigned to this position. This is a shifted, daylight position.
24. Info Booth Attendants
Stays at the Info Tire (information booth at the command center) offering information, and answers to questions, under the direction of the Guest Relations Director. This is a shifted, daylight and/or night time position requiring a total of 8 hours.
25. Body Shop (Beauty Parlor) Manager
Oversees the operation of the Body Shop (free costume, hair and make-up department) and the Wasteland Weekend Trading Post (official merchandise and goods vendor). In charge of inviting attendees in to use the free services, and to oversee their make-overs. If you’re a bit of a stylist, this would be a great position for you. This is a shifted, daylight position requiring a total of 8 hours.
26. Body Shop (Beauty Parlor) Make-up Artist & Hair Stylist
Staff our Body Shop where you apply dirt, dust, make-up (and even free costuming) to our staff and attendees, as well as offer haircuts and hairstyling. Must serve at least one 8-hour shift. This is a shifted, daylight position requiring a total of 8 hours.
27. EMT/Paramedic
Provide first-aid, medical care and assistance under the direction of the medical services director. Facilitate transfer to local medical facilities when appropriate. Shifts will be scheduled by the medical services director.
28. Security Volunteers
Perform non-confrontational duties including checking for wristbands. Observe and report as needed under the supervision of the security director. May require walking. This is a shifted, daylight and/or night time position requiring a total of 8 hours.
29. Pyrotechnician
We are looking for a pyrotechnician with a CURRENT CALIFORNIA LICENSE. This person would file paperwork with the CA City fire department (we would pay all fees of course) and inspect our few propane or other flame devices for the event and supervise their use. They would not be required to build any devices. We already have several made, we just need them to sign off on their safety (or let us know what would need to be changed for them to be satisfied). They would not be responsible for any mechanical fire devices brought by non-staff members, as those are not allowed. Again, we are only interested in someone with a current California pyrotechnician license.
