Volunteers needed October – December

FTC Volunteer Role Descriptions

  • Control System Advisor (CSA)
    • Brief description
      • The Control System Advisor (CSA) helps teams with robot control system related issues and work with the FIRST Technical Advisor (FTA) and Robot Inspector to direct teams experiencing issues on the field or in the pits
    • Responsibilities
      • Help teams with robot control system related issues. 
      • Work with the FIRST Technical Advisor (FTA) and Robot Inspectors to troubleshoot issues on and off the field.
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • Experienced with Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi direct networking.
      • In-depth knowledge of the FIRST Tech Challenge Android based control system and diagnostic tools.
      • High level of technical knowledge and interpersonal skills
      • FIRST experience
      • BlueVolt training course.
    • Time Commitment
      • Training: 4-6 hours
      • Event Day: 8 hours
    • Reports to: FIRST Technical Advisor (FTA)
  • Crowd Control
    • Brief description
      • Ensure smooth traffic flow and monitor the audience
    • Responsibilities
      • Keep aisles, hallways, and pathways clear in the pit and near the playing field
      • Limits and monitor access to the field and designated spaces
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • Age: 15+ (18+ preferred)
    • Time Commitment
      • Event Day: 8 hours
  • Dean’s List Interviewer
    • Brief description
      • Interview students for the Dean’s List Award
      • In an effort to recognize the leadership and dedication of the most outstanding secondary school Students from FIRST , the Kamen family sponsors awards for selected 10th or 11th grade students known as the FIRST Tech Challenge FIRST Dean’s List Award.
    • Responsibilities
      • Reading the manual
      • Complete the Dean’s List interviewer certification test
      • Complete FIRST’s Data Privacy & Protection training
      • Access and review nominations prior to the event
      • Interview the semi-finalist during the event
      • Write a narrative about the interview after the event
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • Technical Skills – Medium
      • Physical Skills – Low
      • Administrative Skills – High
      • Communication Skills – High
    • Time Commitment
      • Interviewers should plan 3-4 hours for interview prep and completing interviews.
    • Reports to:  Event Coordinator
  • Dean’s List Reviewer (Please note that Interviewer and Reviewers tend to be the same position for Hawaii FIRST Tech Challenge)
    • Brief description
      • The Dean’s List reviewers are responsible for selecting the Dean’s List Award finalists. There will be at least two reviewers in a region that work together to determine the finalists for that region. The reviewers must access the Dean’s List Award System to view the original nomination as well as the notes from the Dean’s List interviewers.
      • In an effort to recognize the leadership and dedication of the most outstanding secondary school Students from FIRST , the Kamen family sponsors awards for selected 10th or 11th grade students known as the FIRST Tech Challenge FIRST Dean’s List Award.
    • Responsibilities
      • Reading this manual and complete the Dean’s List reviewer certification test
      • Complete FIRST’s Data Privacy & Protection training
      • Access and review nominations prior to the event
      • Review interviewers comments from the interview
      • Select regional finalists.
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • Technical Skill – Medium
      • Physical Skill– Low
      • Administrative Skill – High
      • Communication Skill – High
    • Time Commitment
      • Reviewers should expect 3-4 hours for reading the nominations and selecting finalists
    • Reports to
      • Championship Tournament Director (aka Event Coordinator for State Championship)
  • Disc Jockey
    • Brief description
      • The disk jockey plays high-energy, appropriate music throughout the competition and works with the emcee(s) and technical director to coordinate music and the awards ceremony.
    • Responsibilities
      • Plays high-energy, appropriate music throughout the competition. 
      • Work with the emcee and technical director to coordinate music and the awards ceremony.
      • Monitors the energy of the crowd and increases/decreases musical selections based on crowd enthusiasm
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • FIRST experience preferred, but not required
      • Minimum Age Requirement: 15, 18+ preferred
    • Time Commitment: 1 day (?)
    • Reports to: Volunteer Coordinator
  • Emcee
    • Brief description
      • Is the master of ceremonies for the event, keeps the event on time but also entertaining to watch. Also needs to be able to read well from a script. 
    • Responsibilities
      • Reading the script written by the event coordinator
      • Presentation of awards
      • Keeping the “show” on time 
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • Articulate when speaking
      • Able to think on your feet and articulate what is happening during the games.
      • Confidence in being in front of crowds
    • Time Commitment
      • Everyday for the event
    • Reports to: Event Coordinator / Uncle Howard Sugai
  • Event Photographer
    • Brief description
      • Photographs and takes videos of the event and edits photos for later marketing use.
    • Responsibilities
      • Takes pictures of students participating / mentors / judges / advisors / competition shots, action shots, volunteers, etc.
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • Basic photography skills
      • Basic photography editing skills
    • Time Commitment
      • Whole day of the event
    • Reports to: Event Coordinator
  • Field Inspector
    • Brief description
      • Ensures teams and their robots are ready to compete by verifying Android device settings, running practice matches, and guiding teams on the tournament’s match play procedures.
    • Responsibilities
      • Checking the driver station and robot controller for the correct settings
      • Make sure the driver’s station wirelessly connects with the robot controller
      • Reviews the field inspection checklist
      • Verifies robot performance by running a practice match
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • Familiarity with the FIRST Tech Challenge control system
      • Experience with devices using the Android operating system
      • Technical Skills – Medium
      • Physical Skills – Low
      • Administrative Skills – Low
      • Communication Skills – High
    • Time Commitment
      • Pre-Event: 2-3 Hours
        • Pre-event training: field inspectors should expect to spend two to three hours to go through required reading/training prior to the event.
      • Event Day: 2 Hours
        • Event day: A field inspector may only volunteer at an event for 2 hours, as the field inspections happen at the beginning of the event. Field inspectors might also serve in another role once field inspection is complete. If a field inspector has indicated on their application they are available for the full day, the tournament director may assign them another role once field inspections are completed.
    • Reports to
      • Event Coordinator
  • Field Supervisor
    • Brief description
      • The Field Supervisor directs the flow of activities among volunteer groups, ensuring they work in coordination to keep the competition running smoothly, like a conductor leading an orchestra.
    • Responsibilities
      • Competition playing field set-up and tear down
      • Keeping the robot matches on schedule
      • Ensuring the playing field is set up for each match
      • Repairing playing field game elements
      • Managing a safe environment, including:
        • Everyone is wearing safety glasses
        • No running
        • Robots are operating safely
        • Cables remain taped down
      • The flow of activity in and around the robot playing fields. This includes referees, scorekeepers, field reset attendants, queuers, teams, game announcers, etc
      • Ensuring that volunteers have the resources they need and receive breaks
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • Previous experience as a FIRST technical advisor and/or referee is required
      • Technical Skills – Medium
      • Physical Skills – Medium (requires a lot of moving around)
      • Administrative Skills – High
      • Communication Skills – High
    • Time Commitment
      • Additional 4-5 hours on top of the event day
    • Reports to
      • FIRST technical advisor
  • Field Resetter
    • Brief description
      • Prepare the field before each match.
    • Responsibilities
      • Be familiar with the field set up and what the field should look like at the beginning of each match
      • Set up the field before each match
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • Technical Skills – Low
      • Physical Skills – Medium (requires a lot of moving around)
      • Administrative Skills – Low
      • Communication Skills – Medium
    • Time Commitment
      • Day of Event
    • Reports to
      • Field Supervisor
  • FIRST Technical Advisor Assistant (FTAA)
    • Brief description
      • The FIRST Technical Advisor Assistant (FTAA) supports the FTA in the playing area during the competition, to complete tasks as assigned by the FTA, and to act as the FTA if and when the FTA needs to leave the playing area.
    • Responsibilities
      • Support to the FTA in the playing area during the competition
      • Complete tasks as assigned by the FTA
      • Act as the FTA if and when the FTA needs to leave the playing area to handle a robot problem
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • FIRST experience
      • Strong technical knowledge
      • In-depth knowledge of the FIRST Tech Challenge Android based control system; Common Mechanical Design Systems
      • Familiarity with the FIRST Tech Challenge Live Scoring System; Experience with devices running the Android operating system
      • BlueVolt training course.
      • Minimum Age Requirement: 18+ (post high school or equivalent)
    • Time Commitment
      • Pre-Event Training: 8-10 hours
      • Event Day: 6-10 hours
    • Reports to: FIRST Technical Advisor (FTA)
  • Floater
    • Brief description
      • Floaters provide assistance in various areas as determined by the manager of event-day volunteers and often help with last-minute tasks. Floaters often fill specific volunteer positions for ‘no show’ volunteers.
    • Responsibilities
      • Provide assistance in various areas as determined by the Volunteer Coordinator.
      • Help with last-minute tasks as identified by event staff and key volunteers.
      • Fill specific volunteer positions for ‘no show’ volunteers and serve to fill-in to allow volunteer breaks.
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • Minimum age is dependent on the role assigned
    • Time Commitment: Minimum age is dependent on the role assigned; Floater role is good for people who can’t dedicate a whole day to events as they can generally hop into smaller roles (or roles that require less time commitment or training) as needed
    • Reports to: Event Coordinator (or Volunteer Coordinator)
  • Game Announcer (GA)
    • Brief description
      • The game announcer’s role is working with the emcee to:
        • Introduce teams
        • Provide play-by-play commentary to the teams and audience
        • Report the scores
    • Responsibilities
      • The game announcer’s role is vital to a successful event. Being informed, knowledgeable, and comfortable in your role will directly translate into a better event and make the event more enjoyable for the teams and spectators
      • The game announcer should primarily speak only for team introductions, play-by-play commentary, and score announcement
      • The game announcer role is to be an audible FIRST Tech Challenge presence at an event
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • Technical Skills – Low
      • Physical Skills – Medium
      • Administrative Skills – Low 
      • Communication Skills – High
    • Time Commitment
      • Pre-Event: 2-3 Hours
        • Pre-Event: Read through the emcee/game announcer manual and familiarize yourself with the game (Game Manuals Part 1 and 2 – Traditional Events) and teams participating in the event – approximately 2-3 hours
        • Pre-Event: Watch the Game Animation video to get a feel for this season’s game.
      • Event Day: 6-8 Hours
        • Event Day: Emcees/game announcers should expect that they will spend 6-8 hours at a full day event. Commitment may vary by region or type of event.
    • Reports to
      • Event Coordinator
  • Judge
    • Brief description
      • Judges interview teams and evaluate their performance, robot, match play, and engineering portfolio to determine award recipients. Working in pairs or small groups, they conduct interviews before the competition and in the pit area.
    • Responsibilities
      • Conduct team interviews
      • Review team engineering portfolios
      • Review Control Award submission forms (if submitted)
      • Update Judging Feedback forms
      • Watch competition matches (at traditional events)
      • Decide the three top ranked teams for each judged award
      • Using the process outlined in this manual, come to consensus with other judges on the recipient of each award
      • Share their notes on top ranked and award-winning teams with the judge advisor and other judges for use in the award ceremony script.
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • Technical Skills – Medium to High
      • Physical Skills – Medium, role may be performed seated or standing
      • Administrative Skills – Medium 
      • Communication Skills – High
    • Time Commitment
      • Pre-Event: 4 Hours for training
      • Day of Event
    • Reports to
      • Judge Advisor
  • Judge Advisor Assistant (JAA)
    • Brief description
      • The Judge Advisor Assistant supports the Judge Advisor in facilitating deliberations and guiding judges in selecting teams that meet award criteria but does not participate in interviews or award decisions.
    • Responsibilities
      • Read the training manual in its entirety
      • Watch the training videos on BlueVolt
      • Take and pass the certification test
      • Take and pass the FIRST Data Protection and Privacy Training for Volunteers
      • Review the game summary and watch the game animation
      • Meet with your regional lead judge advisor
      • Call in to monthly judge advisor calls
        • Judge advisors will receive a schedule of calls by email
      • Connect with the tournament director to get the event schedule
      • Get a list of judges with their contact information from the volunteer coordinator for the event.
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • Minimum Age Requirement – Judge Advisors must be at least 23
      • Technical Skills – Medium to High 
      • Physical Skills– Medium – role can be performed standing or seated
      • Administrative Skills – Medium 
      • Communication Skills – High
    • Time Commitment
      • About 8 hours of training before the event for the judge advisor role including participation in monthly FIRST Judge Advisor discussion calls
      • About 8 hours of planning for the event
      • About 2 hours training the Judging team
      • At least one full day for the event
    • Reports to
      • Event Coordinator
  • Load In/Out
    • Brief description
      • The load-in/load-out volunteers are responsible for setting up the event before the competition and/or tearing down the event after the competition.
    • Responsibilities
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • Prerequisite: FIRST experience preferred, but not required.
      • Minimum Age Requirement: 13+
    • Time Commitment: Varies (?)
    • Reports to: Volunteer Coordinator
  • Pit Administrator
    • Brief description
      • Stations in the team pit area, provides fast-paced customer service by answering questions from teams, coaches, and spectators. They ensure attendees have the information they need about the event, schedule, and resources.
    • Responsibilities
      • Greeting teams as they arrive at the event
      • Confirming that teams have completed their consent and release forms and team rosters (if also in charge of team registration)
      • Reporting any medical or non-medical incidents in our FIRST Reporting Portal
      • Collect/return lost and found items
      • Setup and breakdown of pit area
      • Assistance with general inquiries from teams, coaches, mentors, and spectators
      • Work with the Judge Advisor to create instructions for engineering portfolio collection and help share them with the teams upon check in
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • Technical Skills – Low 
      • Physical Skills – Low 
      • Administrative Skills – High 
      • Communication Skills – High
    • Time Commitment
      • 2 hours of training 
      • 10 hours for the event day 
      • 4 hours for before and after event day setup and breakdown
    • Reports to
      • Event Coordinator
  • Practice Field Attendant
    • Brief description
      • The practice field attendant is responsible for supervising the practice field area, including watching team use of the field and game elements.
    • Responsibilities
      • Supervising the practice field area
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • FIRST experience preferred, but not required.
      • Minimum Age Requirement: 15 years+
    • Time Commitment: Varies (?)
    • Reports to: Pit Administrator
  • Lead Queuer
    • Brief description
      • Manage the flow of teams to and from the competition area
    • Responsibilies
      • Work with the event director and FIRST technical advisor (FTA) to create unrestricted paths to and from the pit area to the competition area
      • Create and manage a safe, orderly flow of robots/teams to and from areas
      • Properly stage alliances in holding areas
      • Communicate and organize queuers
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • Previous experience as a queuer
      • BlueVolt training course
    • Time Commitment
      • Event Day – Approximately 8 hours
    • Reports to: Event Coordinator
  • Queuer
    • Brief description
      • Manage team traffic to and from the playing field, ensuring smooth match flow and event pace
    • Responsibilities
      • Escort teams from the pit to the queuing area
      • Position teams for matches
      • Restrict unauthorized field access
      • Maintain steady team flow to the field
      • Direct teams to and from the field
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • BlueVolt training course
      • Age: 15+
    • Time Commitment
      • Event Day – Approximately 8 hours
    • Reports to: Lead Queuer
  • Referee
    • Brief description
      • Actively helps teams avoid rule violations by providing warnings and guidance, ensuring fair play. They enforce rules consistently, applying penalties when necessary and giving teams opportunities to correct issues.
    • Responsibilities
      • Ability to “take charge” and be assertive but friendly and tactful
      • Thorough knowledge of the competition, game, and rules of play
      • Strong assessment skills
      • Outgoing personality; high energy
      • Strong communication and diplomacy skills
      • Ability to collaborate with others, work as a member of a team
      • Attention to detail
      • Ability to move about the field
      • Ability to stand for long periods of time.
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • Technical Skills – Medium 
      • Physical Skills – High
        • Referees spend most of the tournament on their feet
      • Administrative Skills – Medium 
      • Communication Skills – High
    • Time Commitment
      • Training – Approximately 3 – 4 hours
      • Event Day – Approximately 8 hours
    • Reports to
      • Head Referee
  • Lead Robot Inspector
    • Brief description
      • Perform mandatory robot inspections to ensure compliance with robot construction rules
    • Responsibilies
      • Supervise robot inspectors and serve as a guide and resource for inspection
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • Previous experience as a Robot Inspector
      • BlueVolt training course
    • Time Commitment
      • Event Day – Approximately 8 hours
    • Reports to: Event Coordinator
  • Robot Inspector (RI)
    • Brief description
      • Ensure every robot follows the guidelines outlined in FIRST Tech Challenge Game Manual Part 1 and is ready to compete
    • Responsibilities
      • Review and fill out the inspection checklist with the team
      • Place a label or other unique tag on the robot after it passes inspection
      • Check the robot for rule compliance
      • Identify loose cables or other entanglement risks
      • Assist teams in meeting requirements
      • Apply standards fairly to all teams
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • BlueVolt training course
      • Age: 18+ and post high school or equivalent
    • Time Commitment
      • Event Day – Approximately 8 hours
    • Reports to: Lead Robot Inspector
  • Scorekeeper
    • Brief description
      • Use the scoring system software to log and track the scores throughout the game/event
    • Responsibilities
      • Participation in training prior to the event
      • Setup the system at the event with the FIRST Technical Advisor
      • Accurately entering match scores into the FTC Live local software
      • Making sure teams have passed inspection and check-in, and removing teams who will not be playing at the event
      • Generating matches for the event after all teams have been verified and robots inspected
      • Setting up displays for audience and field to view scores
      • Communicating match schedules to key volunteers such as Referees, Judges, Tournament Directors, etc. This may include printing schedules
      • Generating passwords for user of tablets (scoring refs, FTAs, head referee, MC, etc.)
      • Setting up the tablets
      • Working with Head Referees, FIRST Technical Advisors, and Inspectors for optional tablet inputs
      • Make sure all scores are recorded before publishing the event at the end of the day
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • Technical Skills – High
      • Physical Skills – Low
      • Administrative Skills – High
      • Communication Skills – High
      • At least 13 years old
    • Time Commitment
      • Full day of event
    • Reports to
      • FTA and Head Referee
  • Wi-Fi Technical Advisor (Not really needed for Hawaii FTC Events)
    • Brief description
      • Assists Tournament Directors in planning large FTC events, monitors wireless spectrum, and troubleshoots connectivity issues. This role requires strong technical expertise and interpersonal skills, impacting event quality. It can be performed seated or standing.
    • Responsibilities
      • Pre-Event: Conduct wireless network surveys to identify interference and collaborate with venue IT staff to optimize the wireless setup.
      • During Event: Monitor and manage wireless activity near the competition field, resolving issues and detecting potential malicious activity.
      • Collaboration: Support the Field Technical Advisor (FTA) and Control System Advisor (CSA) with wireless-related inquiries.
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • Technical Skills – High
      • Physical Skills – Low 
      • Administrative Skills – Medium 
      • Communication Skills – High
      • Experience with Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct networking
      • Experience using tools such as Wireshark, Fluke (NETSCOUT) AirCheck Meter, Aircrack-ng, AirTight Networks SpectraGuard and MetaGeek inSSIDer
      • Recent and in-depth knowledge of the FTC control system and diagnostic tools
      • Experience/familiarity with computers running the Windows® 7/8/10, Mac OSX, and Linux operating systems
      • Able to use deductive reasoning to solve technical problems
    • Time Commitment
      • Training – Approximately 4 – 6 hours
      • Event Day – Approximately 8 hours
    • Reports to
      • Event Coordinator
  • Volunteer Coordinator
    • Brief description
      • The Volunteer Coordinator recruits, manages, and supports event volunteers, ensuring proper staffing and a positive experience. They serve as the main contact for volunteers, working closely with event leaders and exemplifying Gracious Professionalism.
    • Responsibilities
      • Recruit and assign volunteers for events, ensuring all positions are filled on time
      • Serve as the primary contact for volunteers, providing schedules, training, and event details
      • Collaborate with the tournament director, program delivery partner, and planning committees as needed
      • Match volunteers to roles based on skills and consult key volunteers for recruitment and training support
    • Experience/Skills Needed
      • Technical Skills – Low 
      • Physical Skills – Medium – Can be performed seated 
      • Administrative Skills – High 
      • Communication Skills – High
    • Time Commitment
      • 3 to 6 months before the event – About 6 hours a week
      • 2 to 3 months before the event – About 10 hours a week
      • 1 month before and up to the event – Up to 20 hours a week.
    • Reports to
      • Event Coordinator