Work-Volunteer Job Descriptions

Starwood Festival Volunteer Job Descriptions

Volunteerism powers the Starwood Festival. The entire Festival is brought to you by a committed group of Volunteers from all walks of life. Volunteerism is this Organization's life-blood. Would you consider helping us to make this another Starwood for the history books? Volunteer with us!

Volunteering Has Benefits

Volunteers Receive a HUGE Discount - Instead of paying the full adult price to get in for the full week of Starwood, approved Work-Volunteer adults pay just the $90 camping fee.
You get to be involved in something that changes people’s lives.
You meet new people.
You might find yourself on a new adventure.

For all of this, the only thing that is asked is about 20 hours of light work. You will work closely with other Festival staff and the work that you do will not only benefit others but will make you feel good too. Here’s a few other things to be aware of:

All Volunteer positions are “First come, first served.” This means that positions could be filled very quickly. Get your requests in early.
These volunteer positions are open to attendees 18 years or older.
Applying for a volunteer position does NOT guarantee acceptance. There is a lot of interest in the Volunteer positions and the advantages it brings.
Preference is given to individuals who have volunteered for the Starwood Festival in prior years. We rely heavily on references for some positions.
If you have a specific area where you excel, let us know. We also have some areas where the work is on a “what’s needed” basis. Either way, let us know what you would like to offer.
Of course, we do understand that plans can change. If you change your mind, you would simply be charged the current adult ticket price and no hard feelings.
Once selected as a Volunteer please register your spot by paying the $90 reduced ticket fee.This not only helps Starwood but helps to lock-in your position.

Here are the descriptions for our teams:

Any: Not sure what you want to do but know you want to help out? No problem! Simply choose “Any.” This allows us to place you in areas where a volunteer had to back out for some reason. You would be contacted by the Team Leader with the vacancy and offered a position on their team. If you choose to pass on that particular team, your request would be returned to the waiting list for the next opportunity.

Childcare/Kid Village: This is a cooperative daycare area for kids 18 months through 12 years. The work starts Tuesday afternoon/evening for setup, daily schedules Wed-Saturday, Kid’s Parade (all Childcare Volunteers) Saturday afternoon and cleanup after the Parade. Volunteers interact with the parents, signing children in and out of the daycare, making sure all the paperwork is filled out properly and kept out of the elements, and supervise the 2-hour volunteers (parents must sign up for at least one shift per child). No diaper changing required (parents are responsible for managing that). Parents and/or Childcare experience preferred.

Creation Station: Seeking outgoing individuals to monitor art supplies, work with public and artists. Facilitates and assists with classes and demonstrations. Communicates activities to Starwood Radio. various duties include:

Keep ice water refreshed and cups

Clean up/ trash bags emptied

Organization of supplies (glue guns, scissors, etc.)

Daily schedule on erasable board

Assist presenter/ be available for their needs

Take attendance of classes

If it starts to rain, be available to help secure the workspace

Help display finished art projects (make sure you get the name of artist)

Make art and encourage others to do so

Gate: This 24/hour coverage job requires friendly people who are either good with tablets (for registration & check-in) or checking vehicle occupants for wristbands before either allowing them through or diverting them to registration. Road-weary travelers need to be welcomed to Starwood and processed through registration as efficiently as possible. Join the Facebook group Starwood Registration Tribe to get involved.

Green Room: This involves providing hospitality to the acts performing on the Main Stage. Must be cordial and accommodating. Most of the job is making sure refreshments are well-stocked and coolers are kept iced, but you may be required to help with the performer tent-village (setting up tents with air mattresses & bedding).

Information: Set next to the Creation Station, this job entails answering any questions attendees may have about Starwood and/or the facilities as well as receiving 2-hour volunteers and putting them to work to help the festival (or ask them to come back at a specific time when more volunteers will be needed). Good people skills as well as prior Starwood experience highly suggested.

Maintenance Crew: The primary responsibility of this crew is to be available if a storm arises or other infrastructure situations. We have all seen storms at festivals. Tents, canopies, equipment needing to be covered or secured. The crew's responsibility is to keep track of weather reports and report to their Team Lead as soon as they are aware of an impending storm. They will then be directed to where their help is most needed. Due to the variable nature of storms, this position may also be asked to help out temporarily in other areas. Possible physical labor required and should be able to lift 35 lbs. without injury.

Safety Patrol: Emphasis on night shifts to help attendees and staff take care of any unforeseen problems, from identifying First Aid incidents to identifying safety and security issues to Wisteria Security/First Aid which is responsible for handling these situations, once identified. Any areas noted by this team would also report their findings to Rosencomet Directors.

Shower Cleaning: This involves cleaning the shower house during specific shifts throughout the day. This is recognized as one of the most appreciated areas and highly applauded teams.

Shuttles: Age 30+ preferred; must have valid driver’s license. Shuttle drivers follow a route across the fairgrounds safely ferrying folk from one place to another. Emphasis on the word safety. Drivers should be aware of conditions at all times and put the safety of the passengers and pedestrians first.

Stage Crew: Strong preference given to people with professional experience/schooling in stage setup and tear-down. This is labor intensive job that will require more than 20 hours of labor specified for other positions. It is necessary at specific times of the day to prepare the stage for concerts and change sets between acts. Lighting and sound techs are required to arrive Sunday before the event and stay until at least Sunday evening at the end of the event. Due to the nature of this work, additional benefits are available and will be discussed with you by the Team Lead.

Tiki Fueling & Lighting: This can be a dirty job (bring appropriate clothes & sturdy footwear). From Tuesday through Saturday, tikis must be fueled during daylight hours and lit at dusk. These lights are not only charming but help attendees find their way in the dark (especially to the Port-a-John!).

Torch Making Support: 9 torches light the Starwood Bonfire on Saturday night. During the week, 3 assistants are needed to set up the torch making equipment and supplies for the highly ceremonial crafting of these torches using wax and towels, as well as themed decorations. Long sleeves and long pants and work gloves recommended for torch-work as well as appropriate clothing for foraging and crafting.

Truck Load/Unload in Cleveland: This is a physical job that requires reliable transportation to travel with the rental truck to several places around Cleveland Heights before and after the event to load and unload the equipment. Must be able to lift up to 50lbs; heavier equipment should have more people working together and dollies are available. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes & appropriate clothing. Typical days are Saturday before the event and Monday after the event, but days/hours must be flexible.

Visit the application form at: https://www.starwoodfestival.com/volunteer-application